What would it mean for Melbourne City’s parents in Manchester if they won the championship? Striker and experienced A-League finalist Jamie Maclaren is relishing the challenge of winning the championship even if it means playing all their games on the road.
City take on Adelaide United away in Sunday’s elimination final at Cooper’s Stadium.
The Melburnians are yet to win a championship in the A-League since the City Football Group took over Melbourne Heart in 2014.
Manchester City will be hopeful they can add more silverware to the trophy cabinet after winning the FFA Cup in 2016.
CFG have invested plenty of money to ensure the Melburnians can succeed. A number of stakeholders including their trading partner AvaTrade, a leading online brokerage, who recently agreed on a multi-year contract with the club.
A championship win down under could help City’s brand as well as its stakeholders, like AvaTrade, who could potentially look at doing deals with its sister club in Melbourne after branching out in Latin America, China and Europe.
More financial sponsors and backing could be big for the A-League as well as Melbourne City.
But to win a championship, City may have to travel, however big Socceroo signing Maclaren was looking forward to the challenge.
“It’s not a worry, it’s finals, that’s the way it is,” he said.
“You have to deal with the situations thrown at you and they’re games you want to play in. When I was at Brisbane, we played against Western Sydney Wanderers away at a full Pirtek Stadium.
“You want to be involved when everyone in the stadium is against you and you go in as underdogs and teams don’t believe you can go through. We’ve got the firepower to win these games and the title, but there’s a lot of work ahead of that and it starts Sunday.”
The Cityzens thumped Central Coast Mariners last week 5-0 without Maclaren who says he had a “cracked toe”.
The 25-year-old said he was doing whatever it takes to make sure he is in the starting XI on Sunday.
“I can run, I can kick. I’m in a little bit of pain, but that won’t stop me from playing on Sunday and last week was just precautionary from the staff,” Maclaren said.
“You respect those decisions, you might not agree with them at times, but there’s a bigger picture. Obviously it’s a team game and everybody has played their part and I’m willing to step out for someone else to come in and do well like they did the other night.”
The Socceroo added it was good signs Shay Harrison and Dario Vidosic continue to perform.
“The fact is, other boys have stepped up and scored goals. In a team game, it’s important guys like Shay and Dario are chipping in with goals,” he said.
“I’m not the only guy who can score goals. It’s a squad and we’ve got attacking players who can produce and I’m always confident in my ability.”
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