Auckland FC Dominates PFA Team of the Season in Historic Sweep

AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Auckland FC has cemented its status as the A-League’s standout team after a dominant showing in the Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) Team of the Season, with six players and head coach Steve Corica earning selection.

The Black Knights featured heavily in the peer-voted lineup, with Alex Paulsen (goalkeeper), Hiroki Sakai (right-back), Francis de Vries (left-back), and Louis Verstraete (central midfield) named in the starting XI. Guillermo May and Nando Pijnaker secured spots on the bench, while Corica was honored as Coach of the Season—marking his first time receiving the accolade as a manager.

Peer Recognition: The Highest Honor

What sets the PFA Team of the Season apart is its exclusive voting by fellow A-League players. At the end of each campaign, PFA members select their best XI based on performance, with substitutes chosen from the next highest vote-getters. The player with the most votes is named captain—a distinction Paulsen earned for the second consecutive year.

“I’m still taking it in, to be honest,” said a stunned Paulsen. “I’m thankful to everyone who voted for me—my teammates, coaches, and family. This honor isn’t just mine; it’s for everyone at Auckland FC.”

Historic Milestones

• First-time selections: All players except Paulsen made their debut in the PFA Team of the Season.

• Corica’s double achievement: The legendary coach was previously named to the 2009–10 Team of the Season as a player and later included in the PFA Team of the Decade (2010s).

• Paulsen’s captaincy repeat: The goalkeeper’s back-to-back captaincy underscores his growing influence in the league.

Corica called the recognition “extra special” given its source. “The players deserve this. Being voted by your peers means everything,” he said. “But we’re a team—none of this happens alone.”

Legacy of Excellence

Since its inception in 2009, the PFA Team of the Season has celebrated the A-League’s elite. For Auckland FC, this year’s haul signals a new era of dominance, blending emerging talent with Corica’s tactical acumen.