Josh Cavallo has only started four league games for Adelaide United in the last two seasons. | Mark Brake/Getty Images for A-Leagues

Josh Cavallo has had two seasons to forget but he looks to be heading into the next chapter of his career in strong physical shape while also showing impressive scoring form.

The 24-year-old netted his third goal in as many preseason games on Friday, helping his Adelaide United side to a 5-0 friendly win over an All-Stars side picked from National Premier Leagues South Australia clubs.

During the second half, Cavallo collected the ball in midfield and wrong-footed an opponent before dribbling upfield.

After shaping to shoot but delaying, his eventual effort was deflected off a defender’s outstretched leg before flying in to put Adelaide up three goals at the time.

That goal followed the one he scored in a 3-1 victory over the Adelaide Croatia Raiders, which came a week after a thunderous shot in his first game back, an 8-0 win over West Adelaide.

The preseason goal rush is a significant boost for the left-back / midfielder who has suffered a series of injury setbacks over the course of the last two years.

Talking after the long-range goal against West Adelaide, he thanked his club’s coaching and rehab staff.

“It’s been a long road and I thank them for sticking by me,” he said. “Football is lots of ups and down but it was a moment (the goal) for me that made it all worth it.

“It hasn’t been an easy road for myself and to be back in the first game and to score a goal like that was a nice feeling. But it’s only the start for me… gotta be ready for Round 1.”

Cavallo’s coming out moment in October 2021 had a global impact — at the time, it made him the only active player in a top-tier men’s professional league to be out as gay or bisexual.

Several fellow pro players congratulated him alongside managers such as Jurgen Klopp, and around 30 clubs and leagues posted on social media to show their support.

He went public with his news during Adelaide’s pre-season and went on to make 19 appearances in the A-League that campaign, including in an away game at Melbourne Victory in January 2022 where he was targeted with homophobic harassment.

The following month, Adelaide hosted the first-ever Pride Game in Australian men’s soccer, which Cavallo described as a “phenomenal” step.

Later in the year, he used his platform to speak up for LGBTQ people in football around the Qatar World Cup and to criticize FIFA on its “draconian” opposition to OneLove armbands.

But in February 2023, he tore his Achilles tendon and was ruled out of action for almost a year. His club stood by him, extending his contract for another two seasons.

When Cavallo finally made it back onto the first-team pitch as a substitute in a match against Macarthur FC in January 2024, his appearance drew a standing ovation from the Adelaide fans.

He forced his way back into the starting line-up the following month — only to then suffer another serious injury, this time to his quad muscle.

In the time since, he’s announced his engagement to partner Leighton Morrell and continued to advocate on behalf of players and fans who are LGBTQ, such as around FIFA’s plans to award the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia, a country he says he would not feel safe to visit.

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Having had a close-season break that included a trip to Europe to watch his fiance play in rugby’s Bingham Cup and a face-to-face meeting with Klopp at Euro 2024 in Germany, Cavallo now looks raring to go out on the field.

The new A-League season begins on October 18, with the number of teams having expanded to 13 with the addition of Auckland FC.

Adelaide United have a bye in the first round of fixtures, meaning they open their campaign on October 26 at home to reigning champions Central Coast Mariners.

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