Macarthur FC–Western Sydney Wanderers FC rivalry

The Macarthur FC–Western Sydney Wanderers FC rivalry is a rivalry between Sydney-based professional soccer clubs Macarthur Football Club and Western Sydney Wanderers Football Club.

Macarthur FC v Western Sydney Wanderers FC
Macarthur FC home ground, Campbelltown Sports Stadium
Western Sydney Wanderers home ground, Western Sydney Stadium
Campbelltown Sports Stadium (left) and
Western Sydney Stadium (right)
Other namesBattle of the West
Western Sydney Derby
LocationGreater Western Sydney, New South Wales
TeamsMacarthur FC
Western Sydney Wanderers
First meeting30 December 2020
A-League
Western Sydney Wanderers 0–1 Macarthur FC
Latest meeting8 April 2023
A-League Men
Macarthur FC 2–2 Western Sydney Wanderers
Next meeting1 January 2024
A-League Men
Western Sydney Wanderers v Macarthur FC
StadiumsCampbelltown Sports Stadium (Macarthur FC)
Western Sydney Stadium (Western Sydney Wanderers)
Statistics
Meetings total8
Most winsMacarthur FC (3)
Top scorerBrandon Borrello (4)[1]
All-time seriesMacarthur FC: 3
Drawn: 3
Western Sydney Wanderers: 2
Largest victoryWestern Sydney Wanderers 4–0 Macarthur FC
(25 February 2023) & (1 January 2023)

Background

The rivalry between Macarthur FC and Western Sydney Wanderers stems from the geographical locations of both clubs within Western Sydney.[2] Macarthur FC represents South Western Sydney, with its home ground, Campbelltown Sports Stadium, in Campbelltown, and its temporary training ground, Fairfield Showground, located in Prairiewood.[3] In contrast, Western Sydney Wanderers represent Greater Western Sydney, with their home ground at Western Sydney Stadium in Parramatta and their training ground at Blacktown Football Park in Rooty Hill.[4][5][6] In terms of success, the Wanderers are the most successful club in Western Sydney, having an A-League Premiership and an AFC Champions League title to their name.[7] Macarthur has only won one trophy, the 2022 Australia Cup.[8][9]

Despite being local rivals, Sydney FC is widely regarded as the Wanderers' main rival, with intense and fierce matches in the Sydney Derby.[2] Macarthur FC was initially established in 2018 as a merger between two bids, originally known as Macarthur South West United.[10][11] They earned their A-League spot in December 2018,[12] and were later renamed and founded as Macarthur FC in May 2019.[3] This transformation was driven by the rapid growth of football's popularity in the club's region, one of the fastest-growing areas in the country.[2] According to Gino Marra, Macarthur's chairman, approximately 35,000 people in the region were not supporting an A-League team, and introducing a local rival was seen as a way to expand the club's fan base within the region.[2]

History

The first meeting between Macarthur FC and Western Sydney Wanderers occurred on the opening matchday of the 2020–21 A-League season.[13] The initial date for the match was on 27 December 2020 at Western Sydney Stadium, but due to a COVID-19 outbreak, it was moved three days back to 30 December 2020.[14] Around 10,128 fans were in attendance that day as Macarthur won 1–0 over Western Sydney Wanderers after Mark Milligan scored the only goal from a free kick taken by Beñat.[15][16] In the returning fixture on 6 February 2021 at Campbelltown, Macarthur drew 2–2 with the Wanderers.[17] Goals from Aleksandar Jovanovic and Aleksandar Šušnjar kept the Bulls in the lead before Graham Dorrans and Simon Cox equalised the match by full-time.[18]

By the end of the season, Macarthur FC finished in sixth with 39 points, above Western Sydney Wanderers, who sat in eighth with 35 points.[19] In the 2021–22 A-League season, Macarthur finished seventh with 33 points, missing out on the A-League Finals Series by 6 points, although finishing higher than the Wanderers who placed in tenth with 27 points.[20] Macarthur FC won two out of the three matches against Western Sydney Wanderers,[1] defeating their opponents 2–0 at home that led Wanderers fans to boo their players on the field.[21] Carl Robinson, who made his managerial start in the first meeting against Macarthur,[22] was sacked by Western Sydney Wanderers in January 2022.[23] Macarthur then achieved their first win at home on 13 March 2022, with Ulises Dávila scoring twice to ensure a 3–1 victory over Wanderers.[24] In the 2022–23 season, Western Sydney Wanderers achieved their first win over Macarthur on 1 January 2023, following a 4–0 victory at Western Sydney Stadium.[25] In their next and seventh league meeting, Western Sydney Wanderers won for a second time at home, with another 4–0 victory; Brandon Borrello scored the opening goal before Macarthur's Craig Noone was sent off – all within six minutes of the match.[26]

Statistics and records
As of 8 April 2023[1]

Head-to-head
Stadium GP Total crowd Average crowd MAC Draw WSW MAC goals WSW goals
Campbelltown Sports Stadium 4 17,460 5,820 1 3 0 8 6
Western Sydney Stadium 4 36,840 9,210 2 0 2 3 8
Total 8 54,300 7,757 3 3 2 11 14

Top goalscorers

Note: Players who have scored two goals or more are listed here

Player Club Goals
Australia Brandon Borrello Western Sydney Wanderers 4
Mexico Ulises Dávila Macarthur FC 2

All-time results

A-League Men

Shared player history

Players who have played for both clubs
Player Macarthur FC career Western Sydney Wanderers career
Seasons App Goals Seasons App Goals
Australia Nicholas Suman 2020–2023 6 0 2016–2020 5 0
Australia Antony Golec 2020–2022 18 0 2014–2015 17 0
Australia Tomi Juric 2021–2022 8 1 2013–2015 34 12
England Jordon Mutch 2021–2022 21 0 2021 13 2
Australia Jonathan Aspropotamitis 2022–0000 22 1 2015–2018 43 0
Australia Kearyn Baccus 2022–0000 21 0 2014–2018 62 0
Australia Ali Auglah 2023–0000 11 0 2022 1 0

Player speculations and signings

Both Macarthur FC and Western Sydney Wanderers have vied for player signatures in the past. Macarthur FC's captain, Mark Milligan, rejected an offer from the Wanderers and chose to sign with Macarthur instead. His decision was influenced by his relationship with Ante Milicic and the potential for a future coaching role.[33][34] In early-2020, Matthew Jurman was four-months under contract with Western Sydney Wanderers before interests surfaced from overseas and other domestic clubs. Macarthur FC was reported to be in lengthy negotiations with Jurman despite Wanderers' efforts to extend his contract.[35] Jurman eventually moved on to have spells with Greek club Xanthi and Newcastle Jets,[36] before signing for Macarthur in June 2023.[37][38][39]

On 5 December 2019, Macarthur FC declared their interest in Sydney FC midfielder Miloš Ninković, who had six months remaining on his contract.[40] Despite expressing his desire to stay with Sydney FC, Ninković was given a two-week deadline by 5 p.m. to either extend his contract with Sydney FC or sign for Macarthur FC.[41][42] Macarthur was reportedly offering multi-year contract, with an increased based salary, including a possible coaching role at the club if he was to retire.[note 1][45] However, Ninković extended his contract with Sydney FC on 17 December 2019,[46][47][48] before ultimately, signing for Western Sydney Wanderers on 3 July 2022 – less than two weeks after his release from Sydney FC.[49]

Honours
Competition Macarthur FC Western Sydney Wanderers
A-League Men Premiership 0 1 (2012–13)
A-League Men Championship 0 0
Australia Cup 1 (2022) 0
AFC Champions League 0 1 (2014)
Total 1 2

See also

Notes
  1. The Daily Telegraph reported that the initial offer for Ninković was a two-year contract with an option to extend, including a possible coaching role and a base salary of $750,000 – an increase of Sydney FC's offer of $500,000.[43] The final offer made on 16 December 2019, and reported by SBS Sports, was for an increased base salary of $1.6 million under the same terms.[44]

References
  1. "Macarthur FC vs Western Sydney Wanderers (Match-up History)". Ultimate A-League. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  2. Monteverde, Marco (29 December 2020). "A-League: Macarthur FC determined to win the 'battle of the west'". news.com.au. NCA NewsWire. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  3. "Macarthur FC: All you need to know about the A-League newcomers ahead of debut season". MyFootball. 13 October 2020. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  4. Mitchell, Jake (12 January 2023). "Wanderers Fives Facility now open to boost talent development". Soccerscene. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  5. Lynch, Joey (4 May 2023). "Discontent provides standard backdrop to Sydney derby laden with symbolism". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  6. "Club in Focus: Western Sydney Wanderers". Australia Cup. 21 July 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  7. "History". Western Sydney Wanderers. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  8. "WATCH: Macarthur FC win 2022 Australia Cup Final". Australia Cup. 1 October 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  9. Lynch, Joey (1 October 2022). "Macarthur FC's quality and squad depth makes the difference in Australia Cup final". ESPN. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  10. Barrett, Chris (5 August 2018). "Sydney bid teams shake up A-League expansion battle by joining forces". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  11. Comito, Matthew (21 December 2020). "Macarthur FC: the rapid three-year rise leading to historic A-League debut". keepup.com. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  12. "A-League expanding with teams from western Melbourne, south-west Sydney". ABC News. 13 December 2018. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  13. Monteverde, Marco (24 November 2020). "A-League 2020–21 fixtures released with venue chaos causing headaches". Fox Sports. NCA NewsWire. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  14. Rugari, Vince (23 December 2020). "Season-opening A-League, W-League double-header pushed back". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 18 October 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  15. Comito, Matt (30 December 2020). "Western Sydney Wanderers vs Macarthur". keepup.com. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  16. "Western Sydney Wanderers 0–1 Macarthur FC (30 Dec, 2020) Game Analysis". ESPN. Australian Associated Press. 30 December 2020. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  17. "MW7 Match Report: 2–2 in the Battle of the West II". Macarthur FC. 6 February 2021. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
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  26. "Wanderers dismantle Macarthur". Western Sydney Wanderers. 25 February 2023. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
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  29. "Bulls end the season with draw against rivals". Macarthur FC. 9 May 2022. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  30. "'No words': Heartbreak as Bulls come so close to upset against WSW". Macarthur FC. 8 April 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  31. "Macarthur take all three points in first clash of season". Western Sydney Wanderers. 30 December 2020. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  32. "The Bulls Secure top of Isuzu UTE A-League Spot". Macarthur FC. 11 December 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  33. Bossi, Dominic (30 July 2020). "Former Socceroos captain signs marquee deal with Macarthur". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 18 October 2023. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  34. Barton, Joe (31 July 2020). "Mark Milligan says Macarthur FC can contend for the A-League title immediately". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  35. Bossi, Dominic (9 February 2020). "Wanderers face fight for Jurman's signature as rivals circle". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 20 October 2023. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  36. "Experienced Jurman ready to lead next generation". Newcastle Jets. 3 August 2021. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  37. "'Natural leader': Jurman joins Bulls". Macarthur FC. 23 June 2023. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
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  39. "'I think we can go all the way': Expectations high for Macarthur as Matt Jurman signs". The Inner Sanctum. 24 June 2023. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
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  42. Rugari, Dominic Bossi, Vince (12 December 2019). "Ninkovic given deadline to decide on future with Macarthur or Sydney FC". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 20 October 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  43. Kemp, Emma; Smithies, Tom (6 December 2019). "Claims new A-League club Macarthur FC illegally approached Sydney FC star Milos Ninkovic". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 20 May 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
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