Joe scored the match winner helping to defeat Wrexham 2-1 at Allianz Stadium in front of over 40,000 fans in July this year.
"I just put my hands into the air as soon as I heard the crowd, I'm very grateful for the opportunity... yeah, I'm just buzzing." Joe said after the match
Joe Lacey signed his first professional contract in December 2023 and secured his place at Sydney FC for the 2024/25 season for three years onwards. He is a midfielder who has been applying his trade in the NSW NPL and was named as a substitute in opening game of the 2023/24 season.
Lacey shows his delight at scoring the winner. Photo Jaime Castaneda.
Sydney FC signed then 17-year-old attacking midfielder Marin France on a three-year deal – the first professional contract of the academy prospect’s career - in June 2024.
It had always been a dream of his to play in Sky Blue ever since he was a six year old playing his football at Curl Curl FC and it turns out that a team-mate back then is his team mate now.
Joe Lacey was also a member of that U6 Curl Curl side and he has also signed a contract at Sydney FC A-League side. Now, this continues their football journey together.
“Joe and I would go to Sydney FC games together with our dads watching Del Piero and then winning titles,” Marin France said.
“We’ve been in every team and school together since we were six.
“We joined Sydney FC together in under 13’s, played in the same NSW teams and now we are both in the Sydney FC’s A-League Men’s squad, it’s an unbelievable story.”
France stepped up to the Sydney FC’s first team after winning Sydney’s Rising Star Award at the 2024 Sky Blue Ball.
Described as a winger or number 10 who likes to create and excite, reports of France’s performance during the academy’s recent trip to Germany impressed Sydney head coach Ufuk Talay, who has now presented the teenager with the chance to make his mark in the first-team squad.
“It’s hard to put into words how I felt,” said France, describing the moment he signed his first professional contract.
“There was a lot of emotion because you put so much into it and to hear you have got the opportunity to sign with the best club in Australia, it’s something you dream of as a kid.”
“I grew up idolising the likes of Del Piero, Brosque, Ninkovic, Luke Brattan, Anthony Caceres when I was younger, and now I’m playing with these sorts of players, it’s really special.
“If you’ve ever played football it’s the sort of things you dream of.”
Marin France on stage after winning his Rising Star Award 2024 at the Sky Blue Ball. Photo: Sydney FC
Mathias Macallister signed a 3-year contract with Sydney FC in July 2025.
Having been in the Sydney FC system since the age of 12, Macallister has now inked his first professional contract and will link up with Ufuk Talay’s senior squad ahead of the Isuzu UTE A-League 2025-26 season.
The 18-year-old had made headlines over the 2025 Season, first scoring five goals for the Sky Blues’ NPL side in a win over Manly United, before scoring a second-half hat-trick during Sydney FC’s recent 7-0 pre-season win over Hakoah.
“It’s amazing, I’ve worked so hard for this,” said Macallister after inking his first professional contract.
“It’s all I’ve ever wanted, to be playing for my boyhood club. Finally signing the contract feels incredible and I can’t wait to get going.
“The (Isuzu UTE A-League) standard is just on another level. Everything’s sharper, quicker, more intense. I’ve noticed now how the pros do all the small things right.
“I bring goals. That’s what I want to give the club and the fans. And when I score, I’ll celebrate with the fans too.
“I score all kinds. I’ve scored with my head, long range, penalties everything. But I really like one or two-touch finishes in the box. That’s my bread and butter. I can pop one from outside too, top corner if needed.”
As Mathias is the son of former Central Coast, Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne City footballer Dylan Macallister, the 18-year-old has seen his fair share of top players represent Sydney FC during his six-year association with the Sky Blues, some of whom have inspired him, as well as his dad.
“Rhyan Grant has been a standout his whole career for Sydney FC,” said Macallister. “Watching him put on the shirt every week and give everything has been inspiring.
“And my Dad has been there through everything. He tells me what I’m doing well, what I need to work on. I honestly wouldn’t be here without him.
“And last but not least my mum, who has supported me and done everything for me, behind the scenes from day one.”
Head Coach Ufuk Talay believes Macallister has all the attributes to succeed at the top level.
“Mathias is a very talented young striker with a great eye for goal,” said Talay.
“He’s got natural instincts in the box, good pace, and a strong work ethic, which is what we’re looking for in young players.
“We’ve seen what he can do in the NPL and now it’s about helping him take that next step into the A-League and reach his full potential.”
Macallister becomes the latest graduate from Sydney FC’s Academy to earn a professional contract, as the Sky Blues continue their commitment to developing elite young Australian talent.
Sydney FC''s commitment is already paying off as a late Mathias Macallister goal sealed another impressive pre-season performance from Sydney FC as they saw off Wellington Phoenix at Leichhardt Oval in September 2025.
Macallister after signing a three year deal for Sydney FC. Photo: Sydney FC
The CommBank Young Socceroos will kick off their tournament against Spain on December 18, before taking on Japanese domestic side Shizuoka Prefecture on December 20 and wrapping up the trip against Japan on December 21.
Richard Garcia will lead the squad in the role of Head Coach, with usual Head Coach Trevor Morgan unable to attend the tournament due to his commitments as Football Australia’s Interim Technical Director.
The squad, selected by Morgan and Garcia, comprises of only players playing in Australia and Japan, with 13 debutants making the trip with the squad.
Garcia said he was looking forward to getting the squad together again after a successful year which saw victory in the AFC U20 Asian Cup 2025 and some promising performances in the FIFA U20 World Cup 2025.
"The CommBank Young Socceroos have had a hugely successful year, having won the AFC U20 Asian Cup, and we are looking to compete and finish the year strong with the next crop of Young Socceroos in the SBS Cup in Japan.
"We will be playing some top teams from around the world and it is a completely new squad of players looking to make an impact as they continue their development.
"We will be looking to see how this new group of players can cope with a hectic international schedule and how they adjust to the demands and increased quality at U20 level against some very strong opponents."
CommBank Young Socceroos Squad for SBS Cup
First Name Last Name Position Current Club Player Junior Club / MF
Daniel Graskoski GK Melbourne Victory FC Northcote City FC / Football VIC
Jai Ajanovic GK Central Coast Mariners FC Gymea United FC/ Football NSW
Nikola Djurovic DF Melbourne City FC Springvale White Eagles FC / Football VIC
Lewis Marinucci DF Melbourne Victory FC Bulleen Lions FC / Football VIC
Tyler Williams DF Sydney FC Castle Hill United FC / Football NSW
Matias Aloisi DF Melbourne Victory FC West Adelaide SC / Football SA
Richard Nkomo DF Newcastle Jets FC South West Wanderers FC / Football NSW
Harrison Jablonski DF Central Coast Mariners FC Surf Coast FC / Football VIC
Arham Islam FW Western United FC Ballarat City FC / Football VIC
Harry Crawford FW Adelaide United FC Elizabeth Vale SC / Football SA
Anderson Back MF Western United FC Essendon Royals SC / Football VIC
Jai Rose MF Western Sydney Wanderers FC The Entrance Bateau Bay FC / Football NSW
Nickolas Alfaro MF Sydney FC Nepean FC / Football NSW
Jesse Mantell MF Central Coast Mariners FC Terrigal United FC / Football Northern NSW
Abdurahman Omer MF Western United FC Green Gully SC / Football VIC
Joseph Lacey MF Sydney FC Curl Curl FC / Football NSW
Marin France FW Sydney FC Curl Curl FC / Football NSW
Alaat Abdul-Rahman FW Western Sydney Wanderers FC Enfield Rovers FC / Football NSW
Jordan Graoroski FW Sydney FC Gwawley Bay FC / Football NSW
Mathias Macallister FW Sydney FC Avalon SC / Football NSW
CommBank Young Socceroos Match Schedule: SBS Cup
Australia v Spain
Date: Thursday, December 18, 2025
Venue: Fujieda Complex, Shizuoka
Kick-off: 16:00 local/18:00 AEDT
Australia v Shizuoka Prefecture
Date: Saturday, December 20, 2025
Venue: Fujieda Complex, Shizuoka
Kick-off: 11:00 local/13:00 AEDT
Australia v Japan
Date: Sunday, December 21, 2025
Venue: Kusanagi Stadium, Shizuoka
Kick-off: 11:00 local/13:00 AEDT
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