Sargossa - 'The Corsairs'
The Sargossan national side is experiencing something of a purple patch, with final four appearances at three of the previous four Copa Rushmoris and last sixteen exits at the last three World Cups, before running into a trio of Atlantian heavyweights in Vilita, Starblaydia and Equestria. A highest ever position in the world rankings is the result of that, something that Rodrigo Defederico and his staff can be hugely proud of.
Head Coach
Rodrigo Defederico
Former international midfielder who starred in the SuperLiga, before plying his trade in Astograth. A former coach of the Olympic side who led hometown club Dunas Del Sol to the Copa Sargossa final in his first full season in charge. Has led the Corsairs to second, fourth and second place finishes in the Copa Rushmori and four straight World Cup qualification.
Backroom Staff
Assistant Head Coach: Raúl Churín
Defensive Coach: Guillermo Lucena
Attacking Coach: Alejandro Tapia
Goalkeeping Coach: Armando Abad
Fitness Coach: Mario Sánchez
Team Doctor: Dr Carla Segura
Talent
GK: 1. Roberto Penedo (28) – Ciudad Soluca
GK: 13. Carlos Ríos (34) – Sportivo Soluca
GK: 25. Tomás Gaos (29) – Sportivo Cordova
Penedo’s ascension to the number one spot is made official with him finally handed the number one shirt. Ríos remains a highly experienced backup while Tomás Gaos, a consistent pair of hands in the SuperLiga, is given a first taste of international action.
DR: 2. Carlos Carter (24) – Sporting San Marquez
DC: 5. Juan Esnáider (25) – Alianza Jucaro
DC: 6. Alex González (33) – Oakstone (Eura)
DL: 3. Saúl Escribano (28) – Sportivo Soluca
DLC: 12. Josué Ruiz (26) – Ciudad Soluca
DRC: 14. Enrique Muñoz (30) – Sporting San Marquez
DR: 19. Alonzo Zevallos (31) – Ciudad Soluca
DC: 21: Hugo Galán (22) – El Nacional
Seemingly you don’t get a look in as a SuperLiga centreback unless you happen to clear six foot so expect an imposing wall of darker blue arrayed ahead of the keeper. González and Muñoz are the only regular faces remaining from the last World Cup campaign. Although if the coach sticks with the 5-3-2 system that the side employed to good effect in the latter stages of that qualification campaign Saúl Escribano will also get the nod. Ruiz and Galán provide options at centreback, but it’s likely to be the impressive Juan Esnáider who slots into the back three. After an impressive Copa Rushmori campaign Carlos Carter, who has managed to fight off the awful stigma of having a Candelariasian father, is expected to take the right wingback berth ahead of Zevallos.
MC: 4. Sergio Espina (33) – Alianza Jucaro
AMR: 7. Diego Puebla (31) – El Nacional
MC: 8. César Goyoso (28) – Sporting San Marquez
AML: 11. Esteban Leguizamo (23) – El Nacional
AMRC: 15. Daniel Correa (25) – Alianza Jucaro
MC: 16. Adrián Fonseca (26) – Ciudad Soluca
DMC: 18. Luís Vazquez (32) – Ciudad Soluca
DMC: 22. Esteban Pomar (23) – El Nacional
AMLC: 24. Mauro Pereira (24) – Sportivo Cordova
With Alejandro Vecino finally calling time on his playing career heir apparent, and essential part of the side in his own right, César Goyoso wears the number eight shirt. The wide players may find their playing time limited with coach Defederico opting for wingbacks in recent matches, but remain in the squad and provide alternatives in times of trouble. Sergio Espina may be the captain but he’ll still be aware of the talented Adrián Fonseca waiting in the wings. Either the experienced Luís Vazquez or newcomer Esteban Pomar will provide the bite in the centre of the park.
FLC: 9. Miguel Ángel Berganza (31) – El Nacional
FRLC: 10. Diego Alejandro Costa (23) – Sportivo Soluca
FC: 17. Fabián Guzmán (30) – Sporting San Marquez
FRC: 20. Matías Cáceres (33) – Ciudad Soluca
FL: 23. Andrés Saavedra (30) – Estrella Torreón
FC: 26. Tomas Murillo (28) – Ciudad Soluca
Much of The Corsairs’ recent success had stemmed from the fluid offensive play provided by the attacking trident of Iván Mayoral, Miguel Marí and Matías Cáceres. But with Mayoral retiring prior to the previous Copa and Marí calling it a day following the recent World Cup it’s a much-changed attacking unit. Miguel Ángel Berganza and Fabián Guzmán came in to good effect but the switch to a front two may also give the coach the opportunity to test out new options. Tomas Murillo, fresh from a massive money move to Ciudad Soluca, and last season’s domestic breakout star Diego Alejandro Costa will be given the chance to shine.
Style
Defederico credits former Sargossan great Ernesto Farias for his own tactical approach, a 3-4-3 system with a high defensive line and an emphasis on pressing and harrying the opposition into a mistake. He is also far more attack minded than his predecessor and his players are encouraged to get the ball from front to back at a rapid pace. Long balls are considered anathema, with even the goalkeeper encouraged to slide a pass to the defender rather than hoofing it up field. The system is relatively fluid, with 5-3-2, 3-4-1-2 and 5-4-1 all used to some degree, depending on the circumstances and opposition.
Although following a home qualification defeat to Drawkland in the previous campaign Defederico tweaked his favoured style, dropping his wide midfielders for deeper wingbacks. But still putting a focus on the offensive side of things. Five clean sheets in the final seven games of that campaign followed and consequently the formation change has stuck.
The SuperLiga is quite a physical league so challenges can often be described as 'uncompromising' and cards are pretty common. Gamesmanship, while never encouraged, is also not entirely uncommon. But diving is considered particularly stigmatic so Sargossan players are unlikely to be found doing it.
Style Modifier = (+3)
Kit
Courtesy of ediraf
Venues
Estadio Generalissimo Joaquín Delgado
City: Soluca
Capacity: 108,879
Tenants: Ciudad Soluca, Sportivo Soluca
Opponent(s): Audioslavia, Acronius, Newmanistan
The centrepiece of a major beautification development in the capital, the stadium sits within the Parque De Los Vencedores and alongside the Corazal River. Designed by Nethertopian architect Gert Naamloos and part financed by two SuperLiga clubs, the Sargossan government and Starblaydi sportswear giants ediraf it is a truly magnificent sporting arena. The Estadio Generalissimo Joaquín Delgado, as the ediraf Arena was rechristened when the naming rights deal expired, is the epitome of a modern football stadium. Consequently, it is the national side’s most commonly used venue. Unfortunately, the glamourous surroundings are marred somewhat by the Soluca crowds’ reputation for being both fickle and moody.
Independienté
City: Goza
Capacity: 119,354
Tenants: El Nacional
Opponent(s): Kandorith, Islas Aaland
The very antithesis to the modern Estadio Generalissimo Joaquín Delgado, and revelling in that fact. The internal facilities may have been kept relatively up to date at the Independienté but little has changed at the vast open bowl since its construction. The nation’s largest sporting venue and one that prides itself on the genuine carnival atmosphere produced on matchdays.
Ciudad Deportiva
City: Maturín
Capacity: 52,000
Tenants: Dínamo Maturín
Opponent(s): Brusseldorf
Although the name has come to refer to the stadium alone the Ciudad Deportiva is actually a whole site devoted to sporting excellence. Constructed as part of a government drive to boast sport, the site is also home to the national Track and Field Centre of Excellence, an aquatic centre, basketball and volleyball facilities and a state-of-the-art sport science clinic. The stadium itself is an impressive venue that is regularly voted as the top matchday experience by fans in the SuperLiga. The Sargossan record there too is very strong, having dropped points only three times in the eighteen matches played in Maturín over the years.
Estadio Silva
City: San Marquez
Capacity: 62,543
Tenants: Sporting San Marquez
Opponent(s): Pius Desurongcrandis
Like the Independienté the Estadio Silva is one of the older venues used by the national side. Set within one of the poorer districts of the eclectic southern city of San Marquez, in amongst the brightly coloured favelas and street vendors, a trip to the stadium is more a cultural experience than a sporting one for the foreign visitor. Some famous nations have taken to the Estadio Silva turf in the past, names such as Sorthern Northland, Candelaria And Marquez and Cassadaigua.
Bonilla Arena
City: Jucaro
Capacity: 74,475
Tenants: Alianza Jucaro
Opponent(s): Joyea, Greater Cebu
The quintessential rich man’s play thing, Alianza Jucaro are the nearly men of Sargossan domestic football. Bankrolled by the mega-wealthy Bonilla family the club have won three national cup competitions in recent years but have never claimed the league title they so crave. While the Bonillas have thrown money at the playing staff they’ve also invested heavily in infrastructure, including the stadium that bears their name. Set in the South Quays district of the port city, right on the waters of the Bay of Carrasco, it’s an imposing venue for visiting sides.
Petro Dome
City: Mercada
Capacity: 42,511
Tenants: Petro Mercada
Opponent(s): Aimena
In a city so synonymous with Petro National, the Sargossan national oil and gas company, it’s no surprise to find both the local football team and the stadium in which they play blazoned with the Petro name. Oil wealth has yet to equal success on the pitch for the Incan side but that wealth may have played some part in the city replacing island rivals Torreón in the World Cup rotation.
Permissions
If my opponent RP's first they can:
Choose my goalscorers: Please do
Godmod Scoring Events: Yes
RP injuries to my players: Yes (within reason)
Godmod injuries to my players: No
Hand out Yellow cards to my players: Yes
Hand out Red cards to my players: Yes
Godmod Other Events: Yes. Just no killing anyone.