Sydney FC offering no excuses: Corica

Veteran Sydney midfielder Steve Corica believes his depleted team is down to bare bones but refuses to use that as an excuse heading into the A-League season opener next week against a Melbourne team he ranks as one of the other title favourites.

The perennial contenders have two players at the Olympics and several other injured and suspended men who won't be available for the Sydney Football stadium clash.

"It's going to be a tough game definitely for us with the players out, but we can't use that as an excuse," said Corica, who played his first national league game back in 1990.

"Melbourne are a very good team and we know we are going to have to play well to beat them.

"They've got a lot of good players. They might have a couple missing out with the Olympics, (Socceroos Striker) Archie Thompson, so it might even itself out."

Neither Corica nor new signing Simon Colosimo was concerned that Sydney would again carry the burden of being of the one competition favourites.

"I think every year Sydney go into the league as favourites and the pressure is always on," Corica said.

"So it's not really different this year, whether we've got (Socceroos striker and new signing) John Aloisi or not, last year we had (Brazilian midfielder) Juninho, the first year we had (former Manchester United star) Dwight Yorke."

One of the league's oldest players, Corica has two years in his contract to run, but said he would review his future after this season.

Former Perth Glory star Colosimo was hoping good form for his new club would improve his prospects of winning a recall to the national team.

"I want to win a championship and I will be in the shop window week-in week-out, there will be a bit more pressure on me," the midfielder said.