LEAGUE CYCLE XI PREVIEWThe excitement of the AOCAF and the transfer window is dying down, and it's time to turn our attention back to Cosumarite domestic play. The Fiefdom Soccer Federation will embark on its 11th season this year (999 in the Cosumarite calendar) and looks poised to give us one of its most exciting seasons yet. The top three divisions have been expanded to 18 teams each, and for the first time the FSF will organize an open cup for the nearly 200 Cosumarite clubs in the league system. The Halighet Ligan is full of questions....will Mallox or OAS Royal take back the spotlight, will Real Azuris repeat, or will a new club win its first Championship for the fourth consecutive season? Which Sekundar Ligan and Tredje Ligan underdogs will win over the Fiefdom's hearts in their quest for unlikely promotion? Which gutsy lower league team will make a Cinderella run in the first FSF Cup? Keep reading for TheCourier.cos' exclusive Season XI Preview. We'll give you team-by-team analysis, predictions, and more!
Overview of Past Winners:I: OAS Royal FC
II: OAS Royal FC (2)
III: Mallox
IV: Mallox (2)
V: OAS Royal FC (3)
VI: Mallox (3)
VII: OAS Royal FC (4)
VIII: Ramusok United
IX: Klyde FC
X: Real Azuris
XI: _______???
4 – OAS Royal FC
3 – Mallox
1 – Ramusok United
1 – Klyde FC
1 – Real Azuris
REAL AZURIS
Azuris, South Klyde Fief
Nickname: The Breakers Founded: 962
Ground: Massemord Stadium (42,243)
Manager: Akira Eld
Team Captain: MF Giovanni Aldinne.
Top Scorer Last Season: CF Ipier Ubuntu (18)
Preview: Real Azuris is returning almost the exact same starting eleven that shockingly won the Harlighet Ligan last year, so there’s no reason to think they won’t contend for a championship again. Center back Kamron Gurrevitz was lured away by Fransborg set Njilkaer of Semarland, but he was swiftly replaced by young Chiatan star Rod Fermer. The rest of the team is still intact and showed they’re still in top form with a deep run in the Globe Cup. Giovanni Aldinne looked impressive starting for the National Team in the AOCAF and showing no signs of slowing down despite his age (33). He has been the centerpiece of this club and will continue to be for the foreseeable future. Akira Eld has taken much of the burden off of Aldinne by surrounding him with quality homegrown players like breakout star striker Ipier Ubuntu (a speedy, creative goal-scorer was Azuris’ missing piece all these years) and winger tandem Delfinho and Santeri Moors. With Fermer joining solid defenders like Snorri Erkins and Jan Årud on the back line, this team should be among the most balanced in the Harlighet Ligan. Real Azuris has built their success the right way – from the ground up by developing their own young talent over the years and fitting them to their system rather than splurging on big name transfers every offseason. They don’t have the star power or little bit of extra flair to make them truly great, but they have no glaring weaknesses either and should be in the mix at the top of the table again. Rumor has it that Eld is switching from a 4-4-2 to a variant of 4-3-3, but I doubt it will impact this team’s winning formula too much. I’ve doubted this team in the past and made me look silly every time – I won’t make the same mistake again.
Last Season: Champions (18-6-6).
Prediction: 3rd.
RAMUSOK UNITED
Ramusok, Ramusok Fief
Nickname: The Blues Founded: 751
Ground: Fire River Arena (80,000)
Manager: Alf Durand
Team Captain: GK Tomi Koskinen.
Top Scorer Last Season:FW Gabriel Nowitzki (12)
Preview: Ram U had a lot of new pieces last season and they started slowly, but by the end of the season they had finally figured everything out and looked absolutely deadly – climbing up to 2nd place by going undefeated in their last eleven matches. Like Real Azuris, they’ve kept their squad largely intact and – if they can pick up where they left off last season – have a great chance to win their second Harlighet Ligan title. NT goalkeeper Tomi Koskinen and NT center back Kirum Mortonsson are an experienced partnership in the back. Super-Llamaland free transfer defender Mike Flanningan was a pleasant surprise last season as well, earning a regular starting role and establishing himself as top-tier player. Polarian NT midfielder Robin Geirsson is the true linchpin of this team with his dynamic skill set in the center of midfield. He was extraordinary last season and was in the discussion for Foreign Player of the Year honors. Alf Durand’s only major signing of the offseason was young Cosumarite attacking midfielder Martin Mazida from Sekundar Ligan side IFK Aldenskoett. The lad was brilliant in the second level and has a promising future. Ram U has lots of quality in the back and midfield, but their only weakness is their lack of potency up front. Gabriel Nowitzki and Sunrisian youngster Raphael Xodó are decent forwards, but both are young and below average in size. To cement themselves as the clear best team in the league, they needed to get a top class CF, a true target for Geirsson & Co. to set up. They failed to do so. The Blues have bountiful quality everywhere else and Nowitzki continues to show improvement, so this shouldn’t be too large of a hindrance. It is, however, what OAS Royal FC has over them and why I can’t pick them to win.
Last Season: 2nd (14-12-4).
Prediction: 2nd.
CASSANDRA CITY
Cassandra City, Criscalus Fief
Nickname: The Stars Founded: 882
Ground: The Amphitheatre (53,120)
Manager: Ron Bromwyn
Team Captain: MF Kyle Fleming.
Top Scorer Last Season: ST Ace Newman (19)
Preview: Cassandra City scored 68 goals last season, 21 more than the next-closest team, with four players exceeding the 10-goal mark. That is insane. They are absolutely loaded with explosive talent up front. Starting forwards Ace Newman (22) and Tevin Lilley (19) both have a great shot at a call-up to the National Team for WC70. Kyle Fleming (last season’s Foreign Player of the Year) of Nova Anglicana and Cosme of Northern Sunrise Islands are midfielders with some serious skills on the attacking side of the ball as well. However, I don’t quite see Cassandra City returning to UICA play this year. Why, you ask? Francois Renault. He’s gone. The former NT captain and winger, despite all of the Stars’ young talent, was the heart and soul of this team. He led the Harlighet Ligan in assists last season and scored 14 goals himself. With Renault now at Molsbik Arkjet of Semarland, Kyle Fleming will wear the armband and new acquisition Richard Vencharde of Western Borderlands will fill Renault’s left wing spot. Although Fleming and Vencharde are great players, they’re not Renault. The impact of a team losing its on-and-off-the-pitch leader cannot be understated. Don’t get me wrong Cassandra City will still be a dangerous team and score buckets of goals, but they will lack that vital touch of experience and discipline Renault provided. Plus, besides The Fallenmark Islands CB Klaus Minkowski, the defense is young and inexperienced and will ship more goals than they can afford.
Last Season: 3rd (16-4-10).
Prediction: 6th.
CRAWFORD CITY FC
Crawford, Numenvernien Fief
Nickname: The Elephants Founded: 924
Ground: Orangi Stadium (61,000)
Manager: Rastus Van Daele
Team Captain: RB Kristian Gjallskald.
Top Scorer Last Season: CF Mikah Andersen (10)
Preview: CCFC edged out many “superior” teams to finish 4th and snag the final UICA berth, their first ever, last season. Was it an aberration? Yes and no. Rastus Van Daele certainly has this club heading in the right direction. Their profile, fan support, attendance and income are all on the rise. I think they are only going to continue to improve and see many more UICA berths in their future. The current atmosphere around the Elephants is eerily similar to what it was like for Real Azuris when they first started emerging as a new powerhouse. That said, I don’t think Crawford is there yet. There is no way they are really one of the best four teams in the Harlighet Ligan at this point in time. Top Half? Sure. UICA-worhty? Despite last season’s finish…no, not yet. Their swift elimination from the Globe Cup was evidence enough of that. It was not an aberration that they exceeded expectations last year, but they had to overachieve by quite a lot to reach 4th and I don’t see it happening again at least for another few seasons. There is a lot to like about the Elephants though. Jakk Winterfyll is the best goalkeeper in Cosumar not named Tomi Koskinen. He does a better job for the Elephants than if they blocked the goal with an actual elephant. The dude is airtight. They also have one of the best defensive midfielders in the league in Phil Sherman. Even though they lost veteran center back Phillip O’Hair to Yttribia’s Etaulse Club, they still have a formidable back four with stone-cold RB Kristian Gjallskald and Nephara import Sophia Chambers in there. Goals were a bit hard to come by last season, but the addition of Semarlandic winger Adren Muller and the continued to development of prospect CAM Chad Overstreet should free a few up. Plus, their rebranding effort has given them the most elegant kits in Cosumar and a brand new stadium in suburban Crawford. Hard not to root for this ascending club.
Last Season: 4th (15-3-12).
Prediction: 7th.
OAS ROYAL FC
Område av Storslagenhet, Ramusok Fief
Nickname: The Whites Founded: 982
Ground: The Royal Palace (54,000)
Manager: Luke Crisalus
Team Captain: CF Sur Arora.
Top Scorer Last Season: CF Sur Arora (17)
Preview: I know all of my Cosumarite readers will despise me for saying this… but I am convinced that the traditional villains of the Harlighet Ligan will restore their supremacy this season. Missing out on the UICA by a single point last season was a massive disappointment, but they had valid excuses. Team captain and superstar forward Sur Arora was severely limited by recovery from a broken leg (yet still managed to net 17 goals, astounding given his noticeably weakened condition). Prized acquisition FW Atlas Yrska of Calorax showed flashes of brilliance but didn’t live up to expectations. Starting midfielder Mustafa Hendrix was suspended by the league for the second half of the season due to an assault charge. Defensive linchpin Alexander Pearce missed much of the season with a barrage of ankle injuries. These issues culminated with the Whites missing the Globe Cup for the second straight year, because they couldn’t defeat Zakhoro on the final match of the season. Yet these issues all seem to be resolved this year. Everyone is back and 100% fit, Manager Luke Crisalus says Atlas Yrska is ready to have a breakout season, and star Fenbarric CM Landon Cowan joins the team on transfer to provide a true maestro behind Arora and Yrska. Looking at this team from top to bottom, I see the most complete squad in the league. Alexander Pearce (NT sub), Jon-Perohlin Nodtveit (NT starter), Everett Seymour (U21 starter), and Jannick Kontiola (Quebec NT) combine to make the most ferocious, star-studded back line in the Harlighet Ligan. National Team Captain and leading goal scorer Sur Arora is back to full health and, at 31, is still the most gifted forward in the Fiefdom by leaps and bounds. AM Talca Na’Zogbia is another key piece and will be instrumental in setting up the attack – he’s one of the best set-piece deliverers in the league. Assuming this team stays healthy and plays to its full potential (something that hasn’t happened in the past two years), I don’t think there’s a group that can stop them from claiming their 5th Championship. If they finish below 4th again, it’s hard to see Luke Crisalus staying in charge another season.
Last Season: 5th (13-8-9).
Prediction: Champions.
MALLOX
Mallox Township, Gellano Fief
Nickname: The Tigers Founded: 804
Ground: Orange Palace (35,700)
Manager: Alvin Burnsides
Team Captain: CB Franz Rowgedeb;
Top Scorer Last Season: Anders Engström (18)
Preview: Many are of the view that the two historic giants of Cosumarite football (OAS and Mallox) are on the way out. With the two finishing 5th and 6th last season (first Cosumarite UICA delegation without them) and OAS finishing 8th the season prior, it’s not hard to see why. But just like OAS, I envision Mallox having something of a rebound campaign this season. In my opinion, there are six clubs that are clearly above the rest (my predicted top six for the season, obviously) and it’s honestly a toss-up between these six for which ones snag a UICA spot. I like Mallox’s chances though, because they are extremely good at the most important thing in this sport: putting the ball in the net. Their defense isn’t great, but it doesn’t need to be – it merely needs to be good enough to allow the Tigers to outscore the other team. That didn’t happen enough last season. Their highly-touted attack underachieved by their standards (expected to be in Cassandra City’s 60s range, but only scoring 47), so they settled for way too many draws because they simply aren’t the kind of team that’s built to win games 1-0. If they only score one goal, they are going to get a 1-1 or 1-2 result. They need to be scoring 2-3 goals per game. They are capable of this, and did so regularly in the past until last season. As of now, I’m ready to chalk last season up to poor luck. Mallox’s track record (finished top four in seasons I-IX, three championships) speaks for itself. A pair of World Cup stars (Cosumar’s Anders Engström and Nova Anglicana’s Jimmy Kelly) made for a dynamic and effective pairing up front, but the midfield’s performance was sub-par and didn’t help the attack (or defense) very much. Possession was a losing battle all year. Letting go of promising young midfielder Felix Merchison to Viztourzys Kolektyvinis of Buyan doesn’t help. Desperate for elite midfield talent to correct this situation for the upcoming season, Mallox pulled off a marquee transfer, bringing in 27-year-old Felix national teamer Haruto Takahashi to play left midfield. He is exactly the kind of midfielder the Tigers needed, intelligent and versatile with top-class experience and some flair in the attack. He could be the key piece this squad was missing last year.
Last Season: 6th (11-12-7).
Prediction: 4th.
KLYDE FC
Klyde City, North Klyde Fief
Nickname: The Doves Founded: 649
Ground: The Klyde Sportsplex (88,000)
Manager: Jorginho
Team Captain: CAM Fraz'm'nar Gor.
Top Scorer Last Season: FW Jacques Bourbon (13)
Preview: What happened to Klyde? A year after winning the Harlighet Championship and riding a wave of momentum, they took a nose dive to 7th. Sorry Doves fans, but this is just not a club you can ever count on to sustain success. They seem to have a “good season, bad season” pattern – you never know what you’re going to get. After losing their best player and team captain RB Tae Woo Miyori on transfer to Blau-Weiss Pallstadt of Buyan, I’m not confident they’ll rebound and turn things around this season. They also let longtime starting goalkeeper Blinne Va’Tuaras bolt for Fenbar. Though, at 36 years old, Va’Tuaras was due for replacement soon anyways. However, I am starting to think that Klyde still managed to improve over the offseason despite these departures. The club was brilliant in improving itself over the transfer market. This Klyde team will look very different than the one that took the field a year ago. The biggest move was snagging 95X defender Natasha Davis from the Port Chester Ladybugs, giving them instant cred on the back line despite losing Miyori. Young Darvalian midfielder Jacob Madison is a promising talent who figures to plug in right away alongside returning starters Kaspian, Gor, Simmalton and Clucke. The new goalkeeper is Sandy Shores, a former member of the Equestrian States national team. Miyori’s replacement at right back is Isaiah Ferguson of Fenbar. Premiere forward Ejegefeh Na’Safeh of Mariners and NT fame also joins the Doves for a hefty fee, giving the team a legit second threat for defenses to worry about (the other being young forward Jacques Bourbon). It’s an… interesting… pairing. It might take some time to gel but adding a player of Na’Safeh’s caliber is never a bad thing. I don’t think the Doves will soar back to their Season IX heights this season, not with so many new faces in the starting line-up, but Jorginho somehow managed to make his team better despite losing two of his best players – they are headed in the right direction. Will contend fiercely for a Globe Cup spot.
Last Season: 7th (13-6-11).
Prediction: 5th.
EASTWEALD
Yambridge, Gellano Fief
Nickname: The Elves Founded: 704
Ground: Old Weldenskirgen (43,209)
Manager: Henrique Ventura
Team Captain: CB Abdiel Assad.
Top Scorer Last Season: RM Jake Wiggins (7)
Preview: In the early days of the FSF, Eastweald was mentioned in the same breath as OAS and Mallox in the pantheon of the league’s elite. For the past decade or so, however, the team has been mired in the middle of the table. Good enough to beat all the mediocre to bad teams and maintain some relevance, but never good enough to contend with truly great teams. [Much like the RL Dallas Cowboys the last few years]. The public faces of the club, NT veteran CBs Abdiel Assad and Endyl Paru, are 32 and 36 years old respectively, and little is being done to prepare for their imminent replacement. For the moment though, their defense is still quite solid, especially with the addition of Estenian LB Andrei Arsamov. They also have a lot of quality in the midfield, with Super-Llamaland’s Jake Wiggins and Polar Islandstates’ Mika Ostaltsov making for a savvy duo in the middle. Ostaltsov was Henrique Ventura’s big signing of the transfer window and Ventura is pinning his fate as Manager on the Polarian’s impact on the team. A bottom half finish will surely get him sacked. Eastweald’s Achilles heel will be the same as it was last season: their ineptitude at scoring goals. The Elves let leading scorer Coden Hari go over the transfer window, as Buyanese club Tjelberg Forening was willing to overpay a bit for him. They then used the money to lure FW Franz Auman away from Fenbarric club Flippers FC, but it’s unclear how much of an improvement Auman is – if any. Eastweald needs every player on their roster to perform at optimal levels if they want to be anywhere near a UICA berth at the end of the season. They are not a bad team by any means, and everyone still dreads playing at Old Weldenskirgen, but there are just better groups out there.
Last Season: 8th (13-4-13).
Prediction: 8th.
MORPONTE FIEF
Mortim, Morponte Fief
Nickname: The Riders Founded: 856
Ground: OmniTech Park (29,680)
Manager: Grant Bulle
Team Captain: MF Abel Scarloff.
Top Scorer Last Season: Curtis Hickory (12)
Preview: Morponte Fief first came up from the Sekundar Ligan five seasons ago and avoided a quick relegation by the skin of their teeth. Since then, Grant Bulle has steadily improved this club, cementing the Riders as a respected side in the Harlighet Ligan. They don't seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. Former NT star midfielder Abel Scarloff seems intent on devoting the twilight years of his career to his hometown club, and is squeezing every last ounce of excellence he has left for them. This Morponte team is a peculiar mix of wily old veterans and young prospects, with little middle ground. The leaders of the team are clearly Scarloff (36), forward Curtis Hickory (31) and Calanian midfielder Adam Willis (34), who just arrived from Sporting Iturributa. On the other hand, Morponte’s elite youth academy continues to churn out fresh talents like goalkeeper Esteban Hernandez (18), defender Eithan Sigurdsson (19) and Western Borderlands striker Leo Montarvo (18) - who are being plugged straight into starting roles alongside their more well-traveled teammates. It’s an interesting concoction. It surely facilitates great learning and development for the youngsters and allows the veterans to act as mentors, but playing their raw talents against elite competition has resulted in some humbling losses. To be fair, Grant Bulle has strived for a bit more balance over the offseason, adding Greater Watford CB Coy Bossard and Sunrisian RM Pauly Shorts – who are both in their 20s. On paper, the Riders are approximately the 10th best team, but they have a knack for punching above their weight and overachieving so I wouldn’t be surprised at all if they leapfrog a few teams I currently have higher than them.
Last Season: 9th (12-7-11).
Prediction: 10th.
FC SAMOTATH
Samotath, Parougan Fief
Nickname: The Blackhawks Founded: 845
Ground: Lockwood Memorial Stadium (35,000)
Manager: Casimiro Rosales
Team Captain: FW Roberto DeCinezo.
Top Scorer Last Season: CF Addam Andsman-Savage (21)
Preview: Even the most optimistc Samotath fans will tell you they have mixed feelings about their club’s future. The Blackhawks’ undisputed best players, aging forwards Addam Andsman-Savage (36) and Roberto DeCinezo (35) have been noncommittal about if they will return after this season. The word on the street is that both players are considering retirement or a move to a less demanding league. If that is the case, this will be the last season to see these FC Samotath legends in the black and red. Together they scored 31 of FC Samotath’s 46 goals last season, so replacing them will be difficult. On the other hand, the club has finally acknowledged that defending does exist by snagging Polarian center back Elias Hermesniemi from Hospitaliers. FC Samotath allowed a league-worst 57 goals last season and Hermesniemi isn’t an instant fix, but it’s a step in the right direction. In the meantime, FC Samotath’s aggressively attacking style should be as potent as ever this season. They have the depth up front to give their older players plenty of rest and keep people fresh. Keep an eye on young striker Devon Noble when he gets his opportunities – as he could be a key to their future. Casimiro Rosales’ club also has a respectable amount of quality in the midfield with young field general Robby Jepsen and Equestrian States LM Blue Skies. The Blackhawks will be entertaining to watch as usual due to their unconventional tactics and “rack up the goals or die trying” mentality, but they will get burned by the fact that they have zero defenders of any quality aside from Hermesniemi and an average midfield corps.
Last Season: 10th (10-8-12).
Prediction: 12th.
FC KALDUKOSIC
Kaldukosic, Kaldukosic Fief
Nickname: The Champions Founded: 756
Ground: Leviathan Arena (98,000)
Manager: Daniel Laramie
Team Captain: FW Corey Simmons.
Top Scorer Last Season: FW Grenville Antonsson (16)
Preview: Alex O’Neill is out and Daniel Laramie is in as the coach of FC Kaldukosic. They managed to save face with a decent second half of the season after an utterly catastrophic first half (one win and slated for relegation) but it wasn’t enough to save O’Neill’s job. Two consecutive 11th place finishes is baffling and completely unacceptable for a club with the resources, history, and level of talent that Kaldukosic has. At this point, the “Champions” are merely a parody of their former selves. Daniel Laramie is known for being a stern disciplinarian manager, not afraid to crack the whip. Perhaps that’s what this team needs to find some semblance of good consistent football. On paper, FC Kaldukosic should be in contention for UICA spots. They have top-class players all across the field. Corey Simmons, though old, is still a savvy finisher around the goal and his counterpart Grenville Antonsson has emerged as one of the most capable scorers in Cosumar, as evidenced by his strong play on the Cosumar Olympic team this year. They have a young, skilled and supremely athletic midfield with Va’Goshal, Perkins, Archambault and Steven Bennett of the Darvale NT. Their already-solid back line, despite Cosmo Coppellian bolting for Semarland, is improved by the arrivals of teen prospect Tomasso Tenebrosa, Erick Garyson of Chiata and Redd Banner of Southern Sunrise Islands. So they have all this talent. Why isn’t it translating to success? That’s a mystery to me. There has got to be something not quite right in the clubhouse at FC Kaldukosic...to be spending this kind of money on great talent and still failing to even crack the top half. There is a weird atmosphere around this team right now and I’m not going to place them any higher than 9th until they prove to me they can pull themselves out of this funk.
Last Season: 11th (9-10-11).
Prediction: 9th.
ZAKHORO ACES
Zakhoro, Ankortroth Fief
Founded: 888
Ground: Zapt Park (29,400)
Manager: Šimon Holguín
Team Captain: DM Reuben Hamasaki.
Top Scorer Last Season: FW Belarmin Worsaw (16)
Preview: The Zakhoro Aces are one of those “homeless” clubs that everyone sort of pities, as they constantly bounce back and forth between the Harlighet and Sekundar Ligans. Well, even if they don’t get a single point this season, they’ll have accomplished something the club has never done before: staying up for three consecutive seasons. After winning the Sekundar Ligan in Season VIII, they have dodged relegation in both of the last two seasons. The only previous time Zakhoro played a Harlighet Ligan season without being relegated was the very first season. Ouch. Can they extend their stay to a fourth season and prove that they’re here to stay? The Aces finishing 12th last season was a bit of a shock (and there were several matches where they got flat-out lucky) – I don’t think it will happen again. They will have to fight tooth and nail to stay up as usual. The strike partnership of veteran forward Kalvin Williams and Wesern Borderlands teen Belarmin Worsaw, who emerged as a surprise star for the club last season, should be capable of netting a goal or two against most teams. Speedy 18-year-old midfielder Mauricio Sigler is an intriguing prospect with U21 call-ups in his very near future. The team struggles in the back, however, with team captain and DM stalwart Reuben Hamasaki carrying way too much of the burden to make up for his no-name teammates. The club has brought in Logan Shaw from Darvale to be the starting goalkeeper, and he’ll need to be on the top of his game to give the Aces a shot. On a positive note, at least if they get relegated they’ll have a chance to become the first team to win three Sekundar Ligan Championships!
Last Season: 12th (9-9-12).
Prediction: 16th, Relegation Playoff.
AC HOLMENKOLLEN
Holmenkollen, Ramusok Fief
Nickname: Cedars Founded: 971
Ground: Cedar Road (17,900)
Manager: Martyn Dirchs
Team Captain: CB Neville Bloxham.
Top Scorer Last Season: Dmytro Kurosawa (13)
Preview: In many ways, AC Holmenkollen feels like a Sekundar or even Tredje Ligan club. It represents a small suburban town, its stadium is the smallest in the top flight and its facilities and budget are humble. But make no mistake, the Cedars are a Harlighet Ligan team where it counts: on the field. They are the only club to ever spend time in Tredje Ligan and work their way back up all the way to the top flight. Martyn Dirchs has done a masterful job of maximizing his team’s ability despite the limited budget by pinpointing undervalued, underrated, and overlooked players and developing them into a cohesive team that plays as one. They’re not the most talented bunch (although their recent success has allowed them to make a few noteworthy international transfers such as DF Arda from Crystal Empire and MF Adnan Valerikssen from Semarland) but they’re well-coached, intelligent and visibly give 100% effort. Sarrbian striker Dmytro Kurosawa proved he can do his thing in Cosumar by leading the team in goals last season. The Cedars are very solid in the back as well, led by veteran defenders Neville Bloxham and Ben Seppänen. AC Holmenkollen will probably get outclassed by the Harlighet Ligan’s elite teams (though they might just claim a few scalps, mind you) but I like their prospects to stay up a second consecutive season and maybe even make a strong push towards the middle of the table.
Last Season: 13th (8-8-14).
Prediction: 13th.
NA'MALSILLE MARINERS
Na'Ailee, Na'Malsille Fief
Founded: 945
Ground: Varela Road (28,340)
Manager: Knut Rosenthal
Team Captain: DM Everett Abello.
Top Scorer Last Season: CF Ejegefe Na'Safeh (15)
Preview: The Mariners have never been relegated, but they sure do like to cut it close. They've finished the season within three spots of relegation for each of the past seven seasons, and were in the relegation zone halfway through the season for four of those. I suppose Knut Rosenthal deserves some credit for motivating his side to finish strong and stay above the line each season, but patience with the eccentric manager is running thin, especially after he was unable to keep longtime club figurehead Ejegefeh Na’Safeh from jumping ship for Klyde. Ownership wants to see the Mariners push for a top-half finish right away, but I’m just not sure if it’s realistic. Na'Malsille has some exciting up-and-coming talent but they're just so young! Four teenagers (Na’Kebia, Grimswald, Svensson, Akindele) slated for starting positions this season. They have such a dearth of experience that 33-year-old Yttribian DM Everett Abello became the Team Captain by default when he transferred in a few weeks ago. And though new arrival Felix Jakobson of Estenia is a proven striker, he’s not Na’Safeh. At least CAM Darwyn Lucassen has developed into a legit secondary goal threat – something they sorely lacked in the past. Na’Malsille also added prized goalkeeper Helmut Gauthier from The Royal Kingdom of Quebec, which should go a long way towards covering for the diminished attack. It’s not necessarily his fault, but Rosenthal gets the sack if they finish below 12th this season.
Last Season: 14th (6-9-15).
Prediction: 11th.
STONESHORE UNITED
Port Stoneshore, Stoneshore Fief
Nickname: The Greys Founded: 771
Ground: Sweethaven Stadium (70,000)
Manager: Wendel Moores
Team Captain: CB Elliott O'Dell.
Top Scorer Last Season: Yuri Makarov (5)
Preview: If it weren’t for the Harlighet Ligan expanding from 16 to 18 teams this season, Stoneshore United would have been relegated along with last place finishers West Gundar FC. In all honesty, they probably deserved to go down. They were comically incapable of scoring goals, tallying only nine over the whole season (that’s less than one every three matches, folks). I expect sizable improvement from the Greys this season because they directly attacked this problem over the transfer market. Their transfer window was headlined by young Buyan forward Sam Herbjornsrud as well as Western Borderlands CAM Lawrence Parmenham. They form an improved attacking trio with Estenian forward Yuri Makarov, which
should be able to deliver
at least one goal every three matches, don’t you think? They’ll be solid in the back again, as usual, returning their starters from last season and bolstering the unit with the arrival of veteran backs Beltza Gaineratzaile of Audioslavia and Matt Kinsington of Brenecia.
Last Season: 15th (6-8-16).
Prediction: 14th.
CENTUS SERPENTS
Centus, Gellano Fief
Nickname: Serpents Founded: 814
Ground: Somerset Road (45,000)
Manager: Angus Howell
Team Captain: FW Andreas Brennan.
Top Scorer Last Season: FW Andreas Brennan (15)
Preview: The Centus Serpents won the Sekundar Ligan last season on the strength of their fearsome defense, returning to the Harlighet Ligan for the first time since Season V. LB Jukka Lindroos, the best defenseman on the Cosumar National Team, is good enough to play anywhere in the world…so, naturally, he dominated in the Cosumarite second division. But not even promotion was enough to keep him around, as he was lured away by Marine Coast United of Vilita. Can the Serpents still be the same team that won the Sekundar Ligan last year without Lindroos? Predicting how players will respond to the higher level of competition is difficult, but I think Centus is the best-prepared of the newly promoted sides to come in and compete right away. They’re just so well-rounded and don’t rely too much on any one guy. Lindroos was the star last season, but all of the players on their back line are capable of making MVP one-on-one plays. They also had an incredibly productive transfer window. Purchasing LB Antony Amilfaltino from Varvonti Firestorm to be Lindroos’ replacement was a great move, as were the international transfers of Greater Watfordian forward Milo Gregory, Semarlandic keeper Leo Mulsen, Equestrian States defender Stinger, and Sunrisian midfielder Gutinho. I’m especially excited to see Gregory on the field for the Serpents. I consider him an underrated player and I think he will pair beautifully with Andreas Brennan in the attack. Angus Howell still has a long way to go before his club can hope to defeat the top teams, but they should at least be reasonably competent this year. They expect to finish the season above the relegation line.
Last Season: 1st in Sekundar Ligan (17-7-6).
Prediction: 15th.
VERSIAVILLE SC
Versiaville, Versia Fief
Nickname: The Villagers Founded: 907
Ground: Versiaville Pavilion (31,200)
Manager: Guston Cox
Team Captain: CM Olivier Eliot.
Top Scorer Last Season: ST Octavius Ioda (16)
Preview: In the Sekundar Ligan, Versiaville SC was elite in the attack and below average in defense. Translated to the Harlighet Ligan…..they are average in the attack and abysmal in defense. Not a winning formula. It doesn’t matter how many men they send forward, they won’t be able to score 68 goals against Harlighet Ligan teams. And if the Villagers’ back line was porous at times in the second division, imagine what teams like Mallox and Cassandra City will do to them? They added Nephara back Spike Lorence in the transfer window, but that is hardly an instant fix to their woes. To be fair though, there are plenty of things to like about this team. Octavius Ioda is as exciting of a striker as you’ll find anywhere and CM Olivier Eliot is an accomplished field general of great poise and precision. Ioda and Eliot have excellent chemistry after several seasons together. Teen forward Asa Nemtheanga is an astonishing talent but doesn’t have enough top level experience to make much of an impact this season. Goalkeeper Graham MacAmlaigh is actually a really solid player. Though he allowed a lot of goals last season, he also was among the Sekundar Ligan leaders in saves. Which highlights my main critique with this team…the weakness in the back. Ioda, Nemtheanga and Eliot will put up a decent goal tally, but it won’t be enough to keep pace with opponents on the other end of the pitch.
Last Season: 2nd in Sekundar Ligan (16-9-5).
Prediction: 18th, Relegation.
SAMAJ FC
Samaj, Culmarland Fief
Nickname: The Hunters Founded: 906
Ground: Elliott (16,800)
Manager: Casimir Salinas
Team Captain: CAM Thomas Teverridge.
Top Scorer Last Season: ST Trystan Fitzpatrick (18)
Preview: I was pretty high on Samaj’s prospects of staying up after this season…until they lost two of their best three players during the transfer window. Leading scorer Trystan Fitzpatrick will be playing in Apox now, and young center midfielder Wesley Slovacek in Barunia. These two, along with team captain CAM Thomas Teverridge, were the heart and soul of the Hunters’ squad last season. And that’s a Hunters squad that only got promoted because of the Harlighet Ligan’s expansion from 16 to 18 teams. In any previous season, they would still be in the Sekundar Ligan. For these reasons, it’s difficult to envision them doing much in the top flight. Their marquee pick-up of the transfer window was veteran center forward Allen Huthson from New West Guiana. They need him to produce at a seriously high level in order to adequately replace a burgeoning star like Fitzpatrick. Samaj should be good in the back, with Barunian goalkeeper Rose Kinsley and Semarlandic CB Mikke Kristiansen being the key players, but they don’t have much quality in the midfield besides NT sub Thomas Teverridge. Mr. Teverridge has shown he can carry this club on his shoulders in the past, but he’s 33 years old now and it’s unlikely he can carry this undertalented team out of the relegation zone. But hey – as long as they’ve got Teverridge’s heavenly crosses and set-piece deliveries they’ve got a chance, right?
Last Season: 3rd in Sekundar Ligan (14-9-7).
Prediction: 17th, Relegation.
Overview of Past Winners:I: Real Azuris
II: Dawchire Town
III: Versiaville SC
IV: Morponte Fief
V: Zakhoro Aces
VI: AC Holmenkollen
VII: West Gundar FC
VIII: Zakhoro Aces (2)
IX: AC Holmenkollen (2)
X: Centus Serpents
XI: _______???
WEST GUNDAR FC
Ruminov, Gundar Fief Nickname: Rugged Men Founded: 924
Ground: Harmonia Stadium (23,000)
Manager: Peter Honeycutt
Team Captain: CM Jared Flynn.
Top Scorer Last Season: ST Alberto Silva (12)
Last Season: 16th in Harlighet Ligan (6-8-16).
Prediction: Champions.
PELETHAS UNITED
Pelethas, Morponte Fief Nickname: The Miners Founded: 835
Ground: Drango Way (21,000)
Manager: Alf Järvi
Team Captain: CM Jack Algar.
Top Scorer Last Season: Trygve Tyson (9)
Last Season: 4th.
Prediction: 2nd.
OLASK ISLANDERS
Olask, Olask Fief Nickname: The Islanders Founded: 846
Ground: Kamu Park (22,040)
Manager: Kaleb Viteri
Team Captain: CB Joseph Outerridge.
Top Scorer Last Season: Kohei Shinigata (17)
Last Season: 5th (13-9-8).
Prediction: 3rd.
PARDOCK ISLAND
Pardock, Olask Fief Nickname: The Seafarers Founded: 841
Ground: Shay Field (15,000)
Manager: Solen Adamsson
Team Captain: DM Oleg Schwarzenberg.
Top Scorer Last Season: ST Ove Garnett (21)
Last Season: 6th (13-6-11).
Prediction: 5th.
SINDO CRUSADERS
Altamirano, Sindo Fief Nickname: The Crusaders Founded: 927
Ground: AltaPress Field (35,000)
Manager: Augustus Loew
Team Captain: CAM Stian Mac Pharlain.
Top Scorer Last Season: CAM Stian Mac Pharlain (17)
Last Season: 7th (13-4-13).
Prediction: 7th.
HELFIN FIEF FC
DeFinko, Helfin Fief Nickname: The Protons Founded: 911
Ground: Scandrick Stadium (28,000)
Manager: Conley Goddard
Team Captain: RM Felix Victorsson.
Top Scorer Last Season: LW Peder Hardwick (11)
Last Season: 8th (12-7-11).
Prediction: 6th.
TREFTADAETH ALLIANCEAshen Point, Parougan Fief
Nickname: The Astronomers Founded: 979
Ground: The Wormhole (25,000)
Manager: Truda Jotunnoj
Team Captain: GK Alvar Hodson.
Top Scorer Last Season: ST Lindsey Severin (12)
Last Season: 9th (12-4-14).
Prediction: 4th.
NOMAD BROTHERHOOD
Sweeney, Culmarland Fief Nickname: The Nomads Founded: 766
Ground: Sweeney Station (27,240)
Manager: Tiago Peña
Team Captain: RB Antoon Chapman.
Top Scorer Last Season: FW Pato Yamaguchi (14)
Last Season: 10th (11-6-13).
Prediction: 9th.
YAMBRIDGE FC
Yambridge, Gellano Fief Nickname: The Yams or
The Browns Founded: 720
Ground: Akercocke Lane (34,100)
Manager: James Villa
Team Captain: LB Milford Wolfe.
Top Scorer Last Season: LAM Richard Truman and CF Barrfind Ljunggren (13)
Last Season: 11th (11-4-15).
Prediction: 8th.
KLYDE HERITAGE FC
Jadde, North Klyde Fief Nickname: The Minutemen Founded: 639
Ground: Heritage Field (20,000)
Manager: Sacheverell Van Cann
Team Captain: DM Boudewijn Mayes.
Top Scorer Last Season: Ezekiel Chancellor (6)
Last Season: 12th (9-9-12).
Prediction: 10th.
DUSK ATHLETIC
Dusk, Gundar Fief Nickname: The Rovers Founded: 954
Ground: The Gully (21,000)
Manager: Kristiāns Allsopp
Team Captain: FW Isak Munson.
Top Scorer Last Season: FW Bran Darby (19)
Last Season: 13th (8-10-12).
Prediction: 15th.
REGELA UNITED
Regalia, Regela Colony Nickname: The Mercats Founded: 922
Ground: Regalia Municipal Stadium (33,000)
Manager: Adolf Levangaard
Team Captain: LM Elwyn Romijnsen.
Top Scorer Last Season: CAM Elighul Colbert (16)
Last Season: 14th (10-4-16).
Prediction: 11th.
IFK ALDENSKOETT
Aldenskoett, Duversia Fief Nickname: The Eagles Founded: 890
Ground: The Eagles' Nest (19,000)
Manager: Väinö Va'Lucic
Team Captain: DF Willy Arntz.
Top Scorer Last Season: LAM Axel Gibson (19)
Last Season: 15th (8-6-16).
Prediction: 17th.
AC SEPULTURA
Cavaleira, Na'Malsille Fief Nickname: The Tribe Founded: 984
Ground: Ratamahatta Road (16,666)
Manager: Max Cavalera
Team Captain: GK Igor Cavalera.
Top Scorer Last Season: ST Andreas Kisser (16)
Last Season: 16th (8-2-20).
Prediction: 13th.
FORT ARCHER
Fort Archer, Numenvernien Fief Nickname: The Rangers Founded: 892
Ground: Redmont Park (45,000)
Manager: Eric Peverley
Team Captain: LM Alex Hagglund.
Top Scorer Last Season: CF Ross Rowe (25)
Last Season: 1st in Tredje Ligan (17-10-3).
Prediction: 12th.
FC FLEN
Flen, Ankortroth Fief Nickname: The Valleymen Founded: 900
Ground: EnergyStar Field (41,141)
Manager: Ingolf Hegg
Team Captain: CM Kenneth Dodge.
Top Scorer Last Season: CM Kenneth Dodge (11)
Last Season: 2nd in Tredje Ligan (17-10-3).
Prediction: 16th.
GOLDSTAFF CITY
Goldstaff, Numenvernien Fief Nickname: The Guardians Founded: 918
Ground: Bostitch Lane (25,300)
Manager: Ingolf Hegg
Team Captain: FW Gire Na'Chike.
Top Scorer Last Season: FW Arwin Blaze (12)
Last Season: 3rd in Tredje Ligan (14-10-6).
Prediction: 14th.
DAWCHIRE TOWN FC
Dawchire, Tamarskand Fief Nickname: The Hammers Founded: 809
Ground: Old Veston (21,000)
Manager: David Clemente
Team Captain: RB Oscar Parkhurst.
Top Scorer Last Season: ST Luca Staropoli (20)
Last Season: 4th in Tredje Ligan (15-6-9).
Prediction: 18th.
Overview of Past Winners:I: Pelethas United
II: Keenan Athletic
III: Dusk Athletic
IV: Pardock Island
V: Pelethas United (2)
VI: Goldstaff City
VII: IFK Aldenskoett
VIII: Treftadaeth Alliance
IX: AC Sepultura
X: Fort Archer
XI: _______???
Keenan Athletic (Last Season: 5th. Prediction: Champions)
Sarmon FC (Last Season: 6th. Prediction: 2nd)
Varvonti Firestorm (Last Season: 7th. Prediction: 4th)
Everlong FC (Last Season: 8th. Prediction: 6th)
Pristine Forest (Last Season: 9th. Prediction: 3rd)
Atletisk Surpronuk (Last Season: 10th. Prediction: 5th)
Ziemelu Skaida (Last Season: 11th. Prediction: 7th)
AC Opjenheim (Last Season: 12th. Prediction: 11th)
Fevelo United (Last Season: 13th. Prediction: 14th)
Atletisk Östrad (Last Season: 14th. Prediction: 9th)
Kalloroda United (Last Season: 15th. Prediction: 10th)
Gwynt Tywyll (Last Season: 16th. Prediction: 12th)
Nuur Origins FC (Last Season: 1st in Colonial Regional. Prediction: 16th)
IFK Sundsvall (Last Season: 1st in Central Regional. Prediction: 8th)
Atamac Wanderers (Last Season: 2nd in Central Regional. Prediction: 18th)
Sporting Pirankoper (Last Season: 1st in West Regional. Prediction: 15th)
Emerald Cove SC (Last Season: 1st in Klyde Regional. Prediction: 13th)
Rexnor Colonials (Last Season: 2nd in Colonial Regional. Prediction: 17th)
Flithby Town
IFK Nordön
Moggington County
Portsmouth FC
Gwerin Athletic
Glasbon SC
Sammet Ridge
Aberaeron Town
Wiedna Town
Villa Forte
Silk FC
AFC Obscura 98
Oterro Athletic
Hvalsey 08
Zirconim City
FC Stellendam
IFK Sokulldak
Lewisville Athletic
Wealdheim Bards
HSC Centus
West Devellin FC
East Devellin FC
AFC Wernersburg
Scarromere FC
Ollston Town
Goldsoul FC
Jotungard 99 FC
Sporting Culmar
Hassaburess Athletic
Mintwick Marmots
FC Kastanjestad
Larkinham Town
Riverside Crew
AFC Trädkojastad
Hagenheim South End
Columbia Town
Braylor Town
Moore Hill Pirates
Austentrapp City FC
Bayford SC
Yuonela Town
IFK Karlsborg
Bergtatt Island Athletic
FC Na'Travii
Tromsdale Town
FC Va'Lubasa
East Ellum
Stortrommeby Town
Estrail County
Drummond AC
Rhupenhoven Town
Vadomrade FC
Borzac Sequins
FC Dynamo Kurbads
Piander Falls FC
Ciems Mungonduvia
Buscari Bridge Force
Salfa City
District 34
District 9
Murkwaamp Suns FC
Gnoss Gallants AFC
Rhodes Ravens AFC
SC Vronus 510
Meryuma Marshals
Atletisk Kvelertak
Kviststad FC
Hamlack Town
Gamlasir North End
Noumen Town
Erpland County
Usk Town
Primus Funk
Satyricon Nemesies AFC
Ezatava Town
Sólstafir
Cerulia City FC
Coppell City FC
Cadonica United
Paulsendam Town
United FC of Stoneshore
FC Fyrbyggnad
Azure Lane FC
Chesterton Cottagers
Nabataea Town
Sporting Corrian
Kaldukosic Volmacht FC
Östrad Rockets FC
Ingleton Town
Chittersbee Rangers
Black Diamond Osterhaut
Sontafe City
Lykathea City
Rhithlungwerddon Town
Ajatarra Alligators
SC Cirith 01
Briquia Southside FC
Iliev County
DeFinko Magni Blandinn AC
FC Fejd
Gorgor United
Impera Town
Keldin Town
West Ellum
Zakhoro GCR
Dillinger Town
FC Arkadius
Caledon Legion
White Tower FC
Thergothon Town
Na'Nidive Falcons
Theli City
Tamiat Town
Ypres Woods
Braablick Athletic
Duval Town
District 61
Kreanoltha Vipers
Novia Alliance
Tierra Interstellar Wanderers
Romstafar Outpost
District 42
District 3
Menoptera United SC
Marinus City
Templar-Lune FC
Alstagruuket Sarlaccs FC
Drahva United
I suppose the FSF can now officially be considered a legit league system, because we
finally have a league cup! The first
Cosumar Cup will be held between all 182 clubs in the Lagre Ligan 2 or above. It will be unseeded and drawn at random – though clubs in higher leagues will enter the tournament in progressively later stages. Here is a tentative schedule for the Cosumar Cup.
Week before start of season: Preliminary Round 1. All 64 Lagre Ligan 2 clubs play a Ro64-style playoff to eliminate 32
Between MD5/6: Preliminary Round 2. The remaining 32 Lagre Ligan 2 clubs + 32 random Lagre Ligan 1 clubs play a Ro64-style playoff. The 32 winning clubs, plus the 32 Lagre Ligan 1 clubs that received byes, are entered into a 118-team single elimination tourney including all Tredje/Sekundar/Harlighet Ligan clubs. The ten first-round byes will be randomly assigned, but split 1/3/6 between the upper divisions.
Between MD 10/11: First round of 118-team tourney. 64 teams remain.
Between MD 15/16: Second round. 32 teams remain.
Between MD 20/21: Third round. 16 teams remain.
Between MD 25/26: Fourth round. 8 teams remain.
Between MD 30/31: Quarterfinals. 4 teams remain.
Post-season: Semifinals and Finals. Winner crowned (Cygnus Cup berth).