Jed Drew says Macarthur's off-season from hell has helped galvanise the club after the Bulls' made a head-turning start to their A-League Men campaign.
Drew played a starring role in the Bulls' 6-1 thrashing of Perth Glory on Sunday with Socceroos coach Tony Popovic keenly watching on.
The 21-year-old scored the opening goal of the game and set up increasingly influential playmaker Jake Hollman for the Bulls' second.
Macarthur's hammering of Perth follows their upset win over Melbourne Victory in the Australia Cup final.
It comes after a tumultuous off-season headlined by a spot-fixing investigation into some of the club's leading players.
Former captain Ulises Davila and midfield duo Kearyn Baccus and Clayton Lewis have all been charged and are due to face court in the coming months.
Drew was named in court documents relating to the allegations but has not been arrested or charged and denies any wrongdoing.
NSW Police have previously stated that the winger is not considered a suspect in the case and Drew says the challenging period has led to an increased sense of unity in Macarthur's dressing room.
"We've all moved on, and on the field we've shown that's in the past," Drew told AAP.
"Winning the Cup was the best thing that could have happened for us and it's nice to see fans coming and supporting us after a challenging off-season.
"It was obviously a shock. I think it's just made us stronger as a team.
"I've never been in a better changing room than this, we're so close and everyone is so tight.
"It's been a big help for me, having these boys with me in the off-season, they've been so supportive through everything that's happened."
Macarthur's attacking flair was evident on Sunday with Hollman pulling the strings and Drew and off-season recruit Marin Jakolis providing plenty of threat on the wings.
But coach Mile Sterjovski is playing with one hand tied behind his back.
Olyroos winger Bernardo, fringe Socceroo Chris Ikonomidis and playmaker Daniel de Silva are all still sidelined, indicating that the Bulls could get even stronger.
Sterjovski is confident that De Silva will be fit to face Newcastle on Friday and Drew said: "It's one of the strongest (attacking units) in the A-League.
"We have cover everywhere in every position but I want to keep my spot.
"That's my aim, to play in as many games as possible and if I keep that form I'll be fine."
