Liga Mundo Season 18 ran from October 10, 2013 to February 8, 2014.
The league expanded from 27 to 29 teams this season but compared to the previous season, there was very little franchise change or movement during the pre-season. However once the season got underway, it would be a different matter with one of the busiest seasons in recent memory for manager activity.
Vasuda Blue Wings applied on June 2, 2013 for a new expansion team during the previous season on June 2, 2013 while Gopher City Pippas FC applied for an expansion team almost two months later on July 31, 2013. Both new clubs were officially approved and joined as expansion teams on September 13, 2013.
The re-born Atlético Luz Del Mar were renamed Atlético Nacional and Gangnam Stylers were renamed London Qwoppers on September 30, 2013.
Starting this season, the entrance requirements for the Liga Mundo Hall of Fame would be increased from 100 matches to 200 matches for induction.
Templar United
After the Grand Lodge League folded on November 1, 2013, Templar Forsworn were renamed Templar United when the club ownership merged with the defunct Templar Blades of the Grand Lodge League during mid-season on November 2, 2013.
Due to the effects of the Disorder War raging across the globe, on November 11, 2013, the Transvaal Springboks agreed with a request from their allied comrades in the Northern Reich to open up Loftus Versfeld to groundsharing the two Dorpat teams for the duration of the season. Both Dynamo Dorpat of Liga Mundo and Dorpat Lions of the Nordreich Liga relocated to Pretoria until hostilities ended and it was feasible and safe to move the club back to their home grounds. On January 30, 2014, Dynamo Dorpat played their final home match of the season at Loftus Versfeld, returning to Dorpat for the start of Season 19.
Atlético Melloria came under league administration on November 16, 2013 after the club board of directors, dealing with the absentee ownership situation of the previous three months, parted ways with founder and long-time manager Rob26480 after 12 and a half seasons. The club, lingering in the relegation zone of the Segunda Liga with an uncertain future, was shopped by league authorities for possible take over.
The following month saw the Big Three and Original Four club Arcadia FC also come under league administration when affiliation with the Arcadian Empire terminated on December 13, 2013 due to absentee management. The following day, PremierApex the manager of Atlético Nacional resigned from his team and took over ownership of Arcadia FC with Atlético Nacional then coming under league administration. Arcadia FC was renamed Clube Atlético Santos on the same day. Soon after the relocation, many of Arcadia FC's veteran legends such as Dermott Kewell and Ned Peyton departed the club on transfers.
The UCFA Champions Cup was founded this season as a replacement competition when the El Invierno Clásico tournament was officially retired on December 18, 2013 - although its last occurrence was played back in Season 7. The new open cup tournament, honouring the pioneering CN football manager of the former Arcadia FC club, maintained the same random draw 1-game series as El Invierno Clásico.
Final Standings[]
| LIGA MUNDO - Season 18 | |||||||||||||
| PRIMERA LIGA | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | DIF | PTS | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dynamo Dorpat | 18 | 13 | 1 | 4 | 49 | 23 | 26 | 40 | |||||
| Guajolotes | 18 | 12 | 1 | 5 | 45 | 29 | 16 | 37 | |||||
| Templar Forsworn / Templar United | 18 | 11 | 3 | 4 | 34 | 21 | 13 | 36 | |||||
| VolNation Volunteers | 18 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 37 | 27 | 10 | 31 | |||||
| Marseille FC | 18 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 30 | 29 | 1 | 25 | |||||
| Ocean´s Gold | 18 | 7 | 2 | 9 | 28 | 33 | -5 | 23 | |||||
| Nordheim Badgers FC | 18 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 40 | 47 | -7 | 21 | |||||
| Swamplandia Sinners | 18 | 6 | 2 | 10 | 26 | 34 | -8 | 20 | |||||
| Skagafjörður Nords AFC | 18 | 3 | 4 | 11 | 21 | 48 | -27 | 13 | |||||
| Transvaal Springboks | 18 | 2 | 4 | 12 | 34 | 53 | -19 | 10 | |||||
| SEGUNDA LIGA | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | DIF | PTS | |||||
| Clachnacuddin | 18 | 14 | 3 | 1 | 45 | 12 | 33 | 45 | |||||
| Debate Land Orators | 18 | 10 | 3 | 5 | 35 | 18 | 17 | 33 | |||||
| Bethlehem FC | 18 | 10 | 1 | 7 | 30 | 18 | 12 | 31 | |||||
| Arcadia FC / Clube Atlético Santos | 18 | 10 | 0 | 8 | 49 | 40 | 9 | 30 | |||||
| RMI Armed Forces FC | 18 | 9 | 2 | 7 | 44 | 27 | 17 | 29 | |||||
| The Fighting Sherms | 18 | 8 | 2 | 8 | 24 | 23 | 1 | 26 | |||||
| FC Konkrage | 18 | 8 | 0 | 10 | 29 | 38 | -9 | 24 | |||||
| Firedog SC | 18 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 23 | 32 | -9 | 21 | |||||
| Keville United FC | 18 | 4 | 2 | 12 | 29 | 45 | -16 | 14 | |||||
| Atlético Melloria | 18 | 2 | 2 | 14 | 11 | 66 | -55 | 8 | |||||
| TERCERA LIGA | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | DIF | PTS | |||||
| Ashie Road 11 | 16 | 12 | 1 | 3 | 48 | 13 | 35 | 37 | |||||
| Estrella Roja | 16 | 10 | 2 | 4 | 39 | 20 | 19 | 32 | |||||
| River Plate | 16 | 9 | 4 | 3 | 47 | 14 | 33 | 31 | |||||
| AFC Merry Men | 16 | 9 | 2 | 5 | 56 | 28 | 28 | 29 | |||||
| Plymouth City FC | 16 | 9 | 1 | 6 | 52 | 28 | 24 | 28 | |||||
| Gopher City Pippas FC | 16 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 33 | 18 | 15 | 27 | |||||
| Atlético Nacional | 16 | 4 | 2 | 10 | 24 | 49 | -25 | 14 | |||||
| Vasuda Blue Wings | 16 | 3 | 1 | 12 | 8 | 51 | -43 | 10 | |||||
| London Qwoppers | 16 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 7 | 93 | -86 | 0 | |||||
- Templar Forsworn renamed Templar United in mid-season on November 2, 2013
- Arcadia FC was renamed Clube Atlético Santos in mid-season on December 14, 2013
Regular Season[]
Primera Liga[]
Statistics Leaders[]
| PRIMERA LIGA | |||||||||||||
| # | POINTS LEADERS | POS | TEAM | PTS | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bodo Kreuzer | F | Dynamo Dorpat | 16 | |||||||||
| 2 | Tapper Kärtmann | F | Dynamo Dorpat | 14 | |||||||||
| 2 | Flynn McFadyen | MF | Nordheim Badgers | 14 | |||||||||
| 4 | Bernt-Åke Godmo | MF | Dynamo Dorpat | 13 | |||||||||
| 4 | Lincoln Key | MF | Guajolotes | 13 | |||||||||
| 4 | Yusuf Abdul-Samad | MF | Nordheim Badgers FC | 13 | |||||||||
| 7 | 2 players | - | - | 12 | |||||||||
| # | GOALS LEADERS | POS | TEAM | GL | |||||||||
| 1 | Bodo Kreuzer | F | Dynamo Dorpat | 13 | |||||||||
| 2 | Tapper Kärtmann | F | Dynamo Dorpat | 11 | |||||||||
| 3 | Marcial Ozores | F | Guajolotes | 9 | |||||||||
| 4 | Pedro Townsend | F | VolNation Volunteers | 8 | |||||||||
| 4 | Billy Warnock | F | Nordheim Badgers FC | 8 | |||||||||
| 6 | 6 players | - | - | 7 | |||||||||
| # | ASSISTS LEADERS | POS | TEAM | AS | |||||||||
| 1 | Flynn McFadyen | MF | Nordheim Badgers FC | 9 | |||||||||
| 1 | Pierce O´Shea | MF | Dynamo Dorpat | 9 | |||||||||
| 3 | Bernt-Åke Godmo | MF | Dynamo Dorpat | 7 | |||||||||
| 3 | Lincoln Key | MF | Guajolotes | 7 | |||||||||
| 5 | Arthur Basso | MF | VolNation Volunteers | 6 | |||||||||
| 5 | Jean Pierre Mons | MF | Guajolotes | 6 | |||||||||
| 5 | Venda Loiku | MF | Dynamo Dorpat | 6 | |||||||||
| 5 | Rolandiñho Boa Monréal | MF | Marseille FC | 6 | |||||||||
| 5 | Willy Broadfoot | MF | Ocean´s Gold | 6 | |||||||||
| 5 | Yusuf Abdul-Samad | MF | Nordheim Badgers FC | 6 | |||||||||
| # | X11 LEADERS | POS | TEAM | X11 | |||||||||
| 1 | Saamuel Vahermets | D | Dynamo Dorpat | 13 | |||||||||
| 2 | Alejo Moisés | D | Marseille FC | 12 | |||||||||
| 3 | Arthur Basso | MF | VolNation Volunteers | 11 | |||||||||
| 4 | Derek Boyd | D | Nordheim Badgers FC | 10 | |||||||||
| 4 | Matty Doolan | MF | Templar Forsworn / Templar United | 10 | |||||||||
| 6 | Roger Boyes | MF | Templar Forsworn / Templar United | 8 | |||||||||
All-Star Team[]
| PRIMERA LIGA ALL-STAR TEAM | |||||||||||||
| POS | PLAYER | TEAM | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Keenan Keegan | Dynamo Dorpat | |||||||||||
| D | Derek Boyd | Nordheim Badgers FC | |||||||||||
| D | Alejo Moisés | Marseille FC | |||||||||||
| D | Saamuel Vahermets | Dynamo Dorpat | |||||||||||
| D | Logi Heimir | Ocean´s Gold | |||||||||||
| MF | Arthur Basso | VolNation Volunteers | |||||||||||
| MF | Bernt-Åke Godmo | Dynamo Dorpat | |||||||||||
| MF | Lincoln Key | Guajolotes | |||||||||||
| MF | Michael Pitts | VolNation Volunteers | |||||||||||
| F | Bodo Kreuzer | Dynamo Dorpat | |||||||||||
| F | Tapper Kärtmann | Dynamo Dorpat | |||||||||||
| MVP | Keenan Keegan | Dynamo Dorpat | |||||||||||
Segunda Liga[]
Statistics Leaders[]
| SEGUNDA LIGA | |||||||||||||
| # | POINTS LEADERS | POS | TEAM | PTS | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kenneth Krippner | MF | Arcadia FC / Clube Atlético Santos | 26 | |||||||||
| 2 | Glenn Rystad | F | RMI Armed Forces FC | 20 | |||||||||
| 3 | Dermot Kerry | F | RMI Armed Forces FC | 14 | |||||||||
| 4 | Kyle Thorpe | MF | RMI Armed Forces FC | 13 | |||||||||
| 4 | Vasili Gridin | MF | RMI Armed Forces FC | 13 | |||||||||
| 4 | Garry Blackton | MF | Clachnacuddin | 13 | |||||||||
| # | GOALS LEADERS | POS | TEAM | GL | |||||||||
| 1 | Glenn Rystad | F | RMI Armed Forces FC | 14 | |||||||||
| 2 | Kenneth Krippner | MF | Arcadia FC / Clube Atlético Santos | 13 | |||||||||
| 3 | Keith Richer | F | Clachnacuddin | 11 | |||||||||
| 4 | Jim Shearer | F | Arcadia FC / Clube Atlético Santos | 10 | |||||||||
| 5 | Dermot Kerry | F | RMI Armed Forces FC | 9 | |||||||||
| # | ASSISTS LEADERS | POS | TEAM | AS | |||||||||
| 1 | Kenneth Krippner | MF | Arcadia FC / Clube Atlético Santos | 13 | |||||||||
| 2 | Vasili Gridin | MF | RMI Armed Forces FC | 11 | |||||||||
| 3 | Lee Wingfield | MF | Arcadia FC / Clube Atlético Santos | 8 | |||||||||
| 3 | Garry Blackton | MF | Clachnacuddin | 8 | |||||||||
| 5 | Anselmo Ametrano | MF | Clachnacuddin | 7 | |||||||||
| 5 | Arnie Leonard | MF | Keville United FC | 7 | |||||||||
| # | X11 LEADERS | POS | TEAM | X11 | |||||||||
| 1 | Raul Gillespie | D | Debate Land Orators | 11 | |||||||||
| 1 | Edgar Hughes | D | Firedog SC | 11 | |||||||||
| 3 | Burt Rossi | D | Bethlehem FC | 8 | |||||||||
| 3 | Hector Howarth | GK | Arcadia FC / Clube Atlético Santos | 8 | |||||||||
| 3 | Glenn Rystad | F | RMI Armed Forces FC | 8 | |||||||||
| 6 | 4 players | - | - | 7 | |||||||||
All-Star Team[]
| SEGUNDA LIGA ALL-STAR TEAM | |||||||||||||
| POS | PLAYER | TEAM | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Otelo Magro | Clachnacuddin | |||||||||||
| D | Raul Gillespie | Debate Land Orators | |||||||||||
| D | Hank McMillan | Arcadia FC / Clube Atlético Santos | |||||||||||
| D | Edgar Hughes | Firedog SC | |||||||||||
| D | Burt Rossi | Bethlehem FC | |||||||||||
| MF | Kenneth Krippner | Arcadia FC / Clube Atlético Santos | |||||||||||
| MF | Kyle Thorpe | RMI Armed Forces FC | |||||||||||
| MF | Vasili Gridin | RMI Armed Forces FC | |||||||||||
| MF | Garry Blackton | Clachnacuddin | |||||||||||
| F | Glenn Rystad | RMI Armed Forces FC | |||||||||||
| F | Keith Richer | Clachnacuddin | |||||||||||
| MVP | Kenneth Krippner | Arcadia FC / Clube Atlético Santos | |||||||||||
Tercera Liga[]
Statistics Leaders[]
| TERCERA LIGA | |||||||||||||
| # | POINTS LEADERS | POS | TEAM | PTS | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alvin Shaw | F | Plymouth City FC | 23 | |||||||||
| 2 | Juan Román Muffarotto | MF | AFC Merry Men | 17 | |||||||||
| 3 | Jurgen Viedma | F | AFC Merry Men | 16 | |||||||||
| 4 | Daniel Keating | MF | Plymouth City FC | 15 | |||||||||
| 5 | Julio Velozo | F | River Plate | 13 | |||||||||
| 5 | Rudi Videira | MF | Ashie Road 11 | 13 | |||||||||
| 5 | Alexis Ballesteros | MF | Plymouth City FC | 13 | |||||||||
| 5 | Mark Lochgelly | MF | Ashie Road 11 | 13 | |||||||||
| # | GOALS LEADERS | POS | TEAM | GL | |||||||||
| 1 | Alvin Shaw | F | Plymouth City FC | 19 | |||||||||
| 2 | Jurgen Viedma | F | AFC Merry Men | 12 | |||||||||
| 3 | Julio Velozo | F | River Plate | 11 | |||||||||
| 3 | Sebastián Brizas | F | Estrella Roja | 11 | |||||||||
| 5 | Kyle Allan | F | Ashie Road 11 | 9 | |||||||||
| 6 | 3 players | - | - | 8 | |||||||||
| # | ASSISTS LEADERS | POS | TEAM | AS | |||||||||
| 1 | Juan Román Muffarotto | MF | AFC Merry Men | 12 | |||||||||
| 2 | Alexis Ballesteros | MF | Plymouth City FC | 9 | |||||||||
| 3 | Mark Lochgelly | MF | Ashie Road 11 | 8 | |||||||||
| 3 | Antonino Trinchera | MF | River Plate | 8 | |||||||||
| 3 | Daniel Keating | MF | Plymouth City FC | 8 | |||||||||
| 6 | 2 players | - | - | 7 | |||||||||
| # | X11 LEADERS | POS | TEAM | X11 | |||||||||
| 1 | Nor Promsiri | MF | AFC Merry Men | 14 | |||||||||
| 2 | Vírgilio Barreto | GK | Estrella Roja | 13 | |||||||||
| 3 | Floyd Hinchley | D | River Plate | 12 | |||||||||
| 4 | Freddy Spooner | D | Gopher City Pippas FC | 9 | |||||||||
| 4 | Tony White | D | Ashie Road 11 | 9 | |||||||||
| 6 | 2 players | - | - | 7 | |||||||||
All-Star Team[]
| TERCERA LIGA ALL-STAR TEAM | |||||||||||||
| POS | PLAYER | TEAM | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Marcelino Sanchez | Ashie Road 11 | |||||||||||
| D | Floyd Hinchley | River Plate | |||||||||||
| D | Tony White | Ashie Road 11 | |||||||||||
| D | Freddy Spooner | Gopher City Pippas FC | |||||||||||
| D | Arthur Ellington | Gopher City Pippas FC | |||||||||||
| MF | Daniel Keating | Plymouth City FC | |||||||||||
| MF | Rudi Videira | Ashie Road 11 | |||||||||||
| MF | Juan Román Muffarotto | AFC Merry Men | |||||||||||
| MF | Alexis Ballesteros | Plymouth City FC | |||||||||||
| F | Alvin Shaw | Plymouth City FC | |||||||||||
| F | Jurgen Viedma | AFC Merry Men | |||||||||||
| MVP | Alvin Shaw | Plymouth City FC | |||||||||||
Costa Libertad Trophy (Team of the Month)[]
The Costa Libertad Trophy for the Liga Mundo Team of the Month was inaugurated on June 1, 2012 as a team achievement award for all Liga Mundo teams. The trophy is named in honour of the former Cybernation Costa Libertad - which was the home of Liga Mundo's founder PremierApex.
| COSTA LIBERTAD TROPHY - TEAM OF THE MONTH | |||||||||||||
| MONTH | TEAM | SEASON | LEAGUE | POINTS | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2013 | Clachnacuddin | Season 18 | Segunda Liga | 32,964 | |||||||||
| November 2013 | Dynamo Dorpat | Season 18 | Primera Liga | 25,248 | |||||||||
| December 2013 | Swamplandia Sinners | Season 18 | Primera Liga | 26,679 | |||||||||
| January 2013 | VolNation Volunteers | Season 18 | Primera Liga | 33,651 | |||||||||
Retirements & Departures[]
Balthazar Botha
- Balthazar Botha (Transvaal Springboks) forward, aged 35. Wearing #26 through out his 17 seasons in Liga Mundo, Balthazar Botha was the club's second junior prospect signing. In his early years, he generally played in the shadows of Gert Grünholz, Charles Brennan, and his younger brother Detlef. The elder Botha’s most notable achievement is setting a Liga Mundo record in Season 4 when he scored 4 goals in a row in the space of 36 minutes as the Springboks demolished Gumbo Gods 7-1 on January 16, 2009. Balthazar reached legendary status on December 9, 2010 during Season 9. On May 19, 2011 he scored his 50th and 51st goals in a 4-0 win against Atlético Melloria to become the third Springbok to reach the 50-goal plateau. Since Season 14, he has been eclipsed by his line-mate Jakob Kruger as the leading forward on the team. Balthazar assisted on Emmanuel Hörtnagl's goal on March 28, 2013 which was the Springboks' 500th regular season goal during a 4-2 loss to the VolNation Volunteers. He played in his 200th career match on June 13, 2013, during in a 3-3 draw in Season 17 versus RMI Armed Forces FC. His final two campaigns (Seasons 16 and 17) saw him more and more relegated to substitution roles. He announced his intention to retire at the conclusion of Season 18 - however on October 6, 2013, he decided to resign his spot with the club in favour of his 16-year-old nephew Bismarck Botha, Jnr. His last competitive match was on August 22, 2013 when the Springboks defeated Debate Land Orators – although he appeared in one friendly a week or so before the end of the season. At the time of his departure, Balthazar Botha was ranked 5th in career games played (206), 2nd in goals (88), 7th in assists (32), and 2nd in career points with 120. He made the X11 teams 18 times, good enough for 3rd place in career statistics. He led all forwards in career games, goals, points, and X11 team selections (18). Regarded as somewhat of a cheater around the referees, he picked up 48 career bookings (2nd most for the club).
Elton Tomlin
- Elton Tomlin (Templar Forsworn / Templar United) midfielder, aged 33. Tomlin joined Templar Forsworn as a member of the club's original roster, appearing in 11 seasons between Season 8 and Season 18. He departed the club and Liga Mundo on November 14, 2013 after he was sold on transfers for $953,736. At the time he left the club, Tomlin was ranked 4th in career matches (178), 3rd in assists (35), and 6th in points (53).
- Jonathan Beach (Firedog SC) forward, aged 30 - Beach was sold during the pre-season on October 6, 2013 for $3,090,024. The leading offensive player on Firedog SC, Jonathan Beach made a name for himself in the Tercera Liga and with his team as he departed the club 3rd in career matches (108) and led the club record books both for goals (45) and points (54). He finished 3rd in goals in the Tercera Liga in Season 13, 1st in goals and 2nd in points in the Tercera Liga in Season 14, and 1st in points and goals in the Tercera Liga in Season 15. When Firedog SC were promoted to the Segunda Liga, Beach found himself playing against tougher opposition but still managed to finish tied for 4th in X11 team selections in the Segunda Liga in Season 16 and then finish 3rd in goals in the Segunda Liga during his final season played in Liga Mundo. He was named to Tercera Liga all-star teams in Seasons 14, 15, and 17.
- Unax Sena (Estrella Roja) midfielder, aged 34. Unax Sena was promoted from the club's junior team on July 17, 2008 prior to Season 3. During his 15-season career, he was a mainstay on the Estrella Roja midfield. In Season 11, he played his 100th match on July 14, 2011. He was released by the club on October 9, 2013 - a couple of days prior to the start of Season 18. At the time he left the club, Sena was 2nd in career matches (169), 6th in career goals (19), 2nd in career assists (30), and 4th in career points (49) during his lengthy career with Los Roja.
- Ned Peyton (Arcadia FC) fullback, aged 31. Payton was sold by the new Clube Atlético Santos management on December 18, 2013 for $4,284,336. Peyton played 100th match on September 15, 2011 during Season 12 and played 200th match on July 1, 2013 in Season 17. He was 7th in career games played (222) at the time of his transfer from Clube Atlético Santos. While playing in the Segunda Liga in Season 13, he finished tied 1st for X11 team selections (9) along with teammate Don Silver - an achievement that gave him a spot on the Segunda Liga all-star team that season.
- Sylvester Raymond (Arcadia FC) forward, aged 27. Raymond was sold by the new Clube Atlético Santos management on December 23, 2013 for $11,177,208. He played in his 100th legendary match on August 1, 2013 during Season 17. at the time of his departure, he was ranked 15th in career games played (121) and 9th in career goals (37).
- Dermott Kewell (Arcadia FC) forward, aged 34. Kewell was sold by the new Clube Atlético Santos management on December 23, 2013 for $2,030,112. He played in his 100th legendary match during Season 8 on August 12, 2010 and his 200th match in Season 15 on July 26, 2012. Third in career matches (269) for The Aces, Kewell departed Arcadia FC as the club's all-time leading goal and points scorer with 115 goals and 145 points. He also led the club in X11 team selections with 95 and was ranked 7th in career assists with 30. Dermott Kewell's best campaigns were in the formative seasons of Liga Mundo as one of the offensive threats for a strong Arcadia FC squad as he tied 3rd for points (10) and tied 4th for goals (7) in Season 4, tied 3rd for points (9) and tied 2nd goals (7) in Season 5, tied 1st points (15) and 1st in goals (12) in Season 6 (earning him all-stars honours), and tied 3rd goals (7) in Season 7 before seeing his game suffer as Arcadia FC began to hit hard times in the Primera Liga. He left the club 3rd in career games played with 269 matches.
- Genaro Ochotorena (Atlético Luz Del Mar / Marseille FC) midfielder, aged 33. He was sold on transfers December 26, 2013 for $2,356,032 after a dispute with management over his reduced playing time. Ochotorena played in 293 career matches, the second-most for the franchise. During his career, he scored 74 goals and 61 assists for 135 points - ranking him 3rd, 4th, and 2nd respectively in club records at the time of his departure. Ochotorena played his 100th match during Season 8 on July 8, 2010 and his 200th match in Season 13 on February 13, 2012. His best seasons were when he finished tied 4th in points (9) in Season 7 and made the Primera Liga all-star team that season. Ochotorena then laid low until Season 11 when he finished tied 4th in assists (7) and 5th in points (11) and making the Primera Liga all-star team. The following season he finished tied 5th in assists (5). Two seasons later when the club was demoted to the Segunda Liga, Ochotorena excelled in his new suroundings as he finished tied 1st for points (13), 2nd in goals (8), tied 2nd in assists (5), tied 2nd in X11 selections (10), and made the Segunda Liga all-star team in Season 14.
Detlef Botha
- Detlef Botha (Transvaal Springboks) midfielder/player manager, aged 34. The flamboyant younger brother of Balthazar Botha, he joined the club as a junior prospect wearing #17 in the later half of Season 4. He is most noted for his fearsome freekicking ability and physical toughness on the pitch. Considered by many to be the greatest Springbok player, Detlef has since September 27, 2010 (in Season 9) been the club's leading career pointman. He made an immediate impact on the scoring charts in his second season but it wasn't until Season 8 when his dominance in his position became solidified on a league-wide scale with 1st or 2nd place finishes in the scoring charts as well as his first all-star section - and then repeated these achievements the following season. He reached legendary status during the later half of Season 10 on March 3, 2011. Botha scored his (49th and) 50th career goal on April 7, 2011 in a 2-0 victory against Arcadia FC - only the second player to reach 50 goals. On September 12, in a Gloria de Verano cup match versus Dynamo Dorpat, Botha picked up an assist (and later in the match, a goal) to became the first Springbok player to reach the 100-point plateau. He was named team captain on October 28, 2012 after Leon Hooiber hung up his cleats mid-way through Season 15. Heading into Season 16, Detlef Botha led the club in all career statistical categories (goals, assists, points, bookings, red cards, and X11) except for games played. Botha played in his 200th bicentennial match on February 14, 2013. On the following day, Detlef Botha was named the Springboks' manager after Bartnel Botha resigned the previous day after 16 seasons at the helm of the club. His debut campaign as manager ended up being a black cloud on his season, as the Springboks were consigned to relegation to the Segunda Liga weeks before Season 16 ended. Adding insult to ignominy, Detlef Botha suffered through his worst season statistically in his career and then succumbed to a serious injury heading into the final week of Season 16. He voluntarily relinquished the team captaincy to goalkeeper Manos Torgo on May 12, 2013 after one and a half seasons. Three games into Season 17, Botha re-injured himself and missed almost four weeks of matches. He then re-injured himself on his return match and sat out the following four weeks. At the start of Season 18, frustrated with the injury bug he fought against the previous season and now seeing his performance in decline, Deltef Botha announced his playing retirement at the conclusion of the season so that he could concentrate on management of the team. He then assigned himself a relief substitute role on the roster for his last season. His final match in Liga Mundo came on January 30, 2014 in the Springboks's last home game and penultimate match of the season, a 3-3 draw versus VolNation Volunteers in which he scored his 107th goal of his career. He officially retired on February 8, 2014. At the time of his retirement, he was 4th in career matches (237) and led the club in career totals for goals (107), assists (77), points (184), X11 team selections (80), yellow cards (90), and red cards (20). In the later two categories, he was the all-time leader in Liga Mundo. He was ranked 3rd for career points and 4th for career goals in the entire league for all active players.
Finlay Keelan
- Finlay Keelan (Dun Carrig Bohs / Pansy Prussians / Syracuse Salty Dogs / Skagafjörður Nords AFC) midfielder, age 37. An original member of the club with Dun Carrig Bohs when they joined Liga Mundo for Season 5, Keelan showed his durability as he lasted through for five managers and four different locales within the club. Keelan saw action in 239 games played in 2 seasons in the Tercera Liga and then 7 seasons in the Segunda Liga, followed by the last 6 seasons in the Primera Liga - making him the all-time games leader for the club. His best performance came during Season 7 when he scored 4 goals and 19 points for Dun Carrig Bohs. Not a major goal-scorer, he nevertheless finished ranked 6th for goals (33) while leading the club in career assists (55) and points (88). Keelan played in his 100th legendary match during Season 9 on November 25, 2010 when the club was based in Dun Carrig. His 200th match came during in Season 15, on November 15, 2012, as a member of the Syracuse Salty Dogs. While he never made any all-star teams, often playing in the shadows of fellow midfielders Severin Hedåkers, Paul Kells, and Manolito Rebosio for name recognition in the club, he managed to lead the Segunda Liga in assists (10) in Season 7 - and in Season 15, he finished 4th in points (15) and tied 2nd for assists (9) with teammate Luke Keane.
Kieran Fifer
- Kieran Fifer (Keville United FC) goalkeeper, aged 37. An original member of Keville United FC, he joined the club in Season 5. His best seasons came in Season 10 when Keville United FC made its only appearance in the Tercera Liga when he dominated with an 83% save percentage and made the all-star team - followed by a strong performance Season 14 when he had a 73& save percentage and 6 shutouts to his name. He retired with 271 games played. He had a career save percentage of 65% and 28% on penalty stops. He played in his 100th legendary match in Season 10 on March 17, 2011. Fifer's 200th bicentennial match occurred in Season 15 on November 15, 2012He scored 1 goal when he took a penalty kick for his team in Season 15. He led the club in games played and was 4th in career X11 team selections.
- René Kober (Estrella Roja) defender, aged 35. Kober signed with the club in Season 8. He played in 151 matches for the Red Stars, ranking 7th in career matches and 2nd most for fullbacks with the club. He scored his lone goal during Season 13. he was most noted for his quick speed and ability with heading the air balls.
- Bruno Schillachi (Estrella Roja) goalkeeper, aged 32. He played in 11 seasons for Estrella Roja, signing with the club in Season 8 for $1,433,333 and appearing in 42 games. He was released by the club at the conclusion of Season 18.
Job Boersma
- Job Boersma (De Bushalte FC / FC Konkrage) forward, aged 35. This calm and calculating ace with the headers was the first bonafide star to suit up for the club, an original player who raked in numerous league merits and accolades during his 7 season career spent with De Bushalte FC and later FC Konkrage, in which he appeared in 109 matches. At the time of his retirement, Boersma led the club in career goals (69), points (91), and X11 team selections (55) and was 3rd in career assists with 22. He led the Terecra Liga in points and goals scored in Season 12, Season 13, and Season 17. He was named Tercera Liga MVP in his rookie season (Season 12) and then again in Season 17. He was named to Tercera all-star teams in Season 12, Season 13, Season 16, and Season 17. In the opinion of Liga Mundo Commissioner Bartnel Botha, Job Boersma was "...probably one of the best original players to appear in the Tercera Liga in quite some time, and had the talent to have probably contributed to a few Primera sides if given the chance. He displayed ability and merit during his career which I believe is worthy of honorary induction." Boersma was therefore inducted by Commissioner Botha as an honourary member to the Liga Mundo Hall of Fame on February 10, 2014.
Bert Gee
- Bert Gee (Texas / Texas Longhorns / Vanderbilt Commodores / Gangnam Stylers / London Qwoppers) midfielder, aged 39. An original member of the club when Texas joined Liga Mundo in Season 7, Bert Gee has been there for all the highs and lows the club has endured through its various incarnations under Mananger KingChris for 11 seasons. An all-round expert playing anywhere on the pitch, he is the club's career leader in games played (209) and assists (25), and 2nd in points (40). His best seasons occured during the club's early years when they were making their assent into the Primera Liga. He finished tied 4th in the Tercera Liga for assists (6) in Season 8 and tied 2nd in the Tercera Liga for assists (5) in Season 13. Bert Gee played in his 100th legendary match during Season 12 on September 15, 2011. His 200th match occured in Season 18 on November 28, 2013.
- Arnold Åbom (Estrella Roja) forward, aged 32. Åbom played 11 seasons with Estrella Roja appearing in 88 matches. His best campaigns came during Season 9 and Season 10 when he scored 7 goals each season. Despite never reaching legendary or hall of fame status, his talent as a solid freekicker with insincts around the crease ensured that he finished his career with the club placed 5th in career points and leading the club in goals with 37. Arnold Åbom was released the day after Season 18 kicked off. His only league merit came during Season 9 when he finished in 3rd place for goals in the Tercera Liga.
- Suca Garoafã (Estrella Roja) midfielder, aged 37. He was signed by Estrella Roja in Season 5 for the hefty sum of $10,029,500. Garoafã played in 181 matches, the 3rd most in career matches in the history of the club. He led the Red Stars in assists and points with 33 and 56 respectively and finished 2nd in career X11 team selections (29). Season 9 was his most productive and noteworthy as he finished 2nd place in the Tercera Liga for assists, points, and yellow-card bookings as well as led in red cards.
Gus Harkness
- Gus Harkness (Keville United FC) fullback, aged 38. Blessed with fortitude and coolness under preassure, Harkness was one of the greatest Keville fullbacks. He joined the team as part of its original expansion roster and would play in 243 matches in his 13-season career, the most for any outfield player and second behind goalkeepr Kieran Fifer. He was named to the Tercera Liga all-star team in Season 10 and the Segunda Liga all-star in Season 15. Gus Harkness played his 100th match in Season 10 on February 3, 2011. Five seasons later, on November 22, 2012 he appeared in his 200th bicentennial game. He would score a total of 11 goals and 29 points as well as earn 19 selection to X11 teams.
- Kyle Barker (Debate Land Orators) fullback, aged 35. One of the few remaining players with playing experience from the days of the brief Cuarta Liga, Kyle Barker joined the Orators as an original member of the team in Season 8. Ranked 4th in career matches played for the club, he would make 159 appearances in which he would score 5 goals and 15 points during his 11 seasons spent playing in Debate Land. He played in his 100th legendary match during Season 15 on September 10, 2012.
- Trey Yates (RMI Armed Forces FC) fullback, aged 32. Yates joined the team as a junior prospect in June 2009. A veteran for the club, his career would span 13 seasons from the club's debut in Season 6 onwards, although his final two seasons saw his playing time serely reduced as age caught up to him. A stay-at-home defensive defender, he appeared in 95 matches and scored his lone goal in his second season.
- Willy Kirkland (FC Konkrage) fullback, aged 35. This speedster manned the FC Konkrage defence for 3 seasons, appearing in 37 games and scoring 3 goals.
- Trey Knapp (Bethlehem FC) fullback, aged 31. He joined the team in Season 14, playing in 37 games for Bethlehem FC and collecting 1 goal and 3 points during that time. He was released prior to this season on September 30, 2013.
- Floyd Hinchley (River Plate) fullback, aged 35. He played 2 seasons for the team with 29 games played.
- Anastasio Caraccio (River Plate) forward, aged 32. He played in 19 matches during his two-season career with River Plate.
- Adam Irwin (Texas / Texas Longhorns / Vanderbilt Commodores / Gangnam Stylers / London Qwoppers) fullback, aged 39. Joined the club in Season 7 and played in 198 matches. Irwin scored 7 goals and 13 points by Season 8 but failed to bag another goal in his career from Season 9 onwards. He played in his 100th match during Season 13 on January 19, 2012.
- Chocron Zairi (Vanderbilt Commodores / Gangnam Stylers / London Qwoppers) fullback, aged 39 (Vanderbilt Commodores / Gangnam Stylers / London Qwoppers). He signed with the club in Season 11. He played in 128 games and scored 1 goal and 1 assist.
- Juan Cristóbal Ochoa (Estrella Roja) fullback, aged 25. Ochoa was promoted as a prospect from the junior team at the start of Season 13. He was released by the club on February 10, 2014 after 7 seasons and 48 career matches, during which he scored 1 goal and 3 points.
Notable Transfers[]
- Eder Bispo - transferred in the pre-season from Templar Forsworn (8 GP; 0G; 1A) to VolNation Volunteers on October 1, 2013
League MVP[]
Keenan Keegan (Dynamo Dorpat) captured 40% of the manager vote to be awarded the Lois Luis MVP Trophy as the Liga Mundo MVP for Season 18. Keegan is the fourth consecutive goalkeeper to win the award since it was instituted in Season 15. Kenneth Krippner (Arcadia FC/Clube Atlético Santos) and Alvin Shaw (Plymouth City FC) finished close behind, both tied with 30% of the ballots each.
All-Liga Mundo All-Star Team[]
| ALL-LIGA MUNDO ALL-STAR TEAM | |||||||||||||
| POS | PLAYER | TEAM | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Keenan Keegan | Dynamo Dorpat | |||||||||||
| D | Tony White | Ashie Road 11 | |||||||||||
| D | Saamuel Vahermets | Dynamo Dorpat | |||||||||||
| D | Raul Gillespie | Debate Land Orators | |||||||||||
| D | Alejo Moisés | Marseille FC | |||||||||||
| MF | Kenneth Krippner | Arcadia FC / Clube Atlético Santos | |||||||||||
| MF | Juan Román Muffarotto | AFC Merry Men | |||||||||||
| MF | Daniel Keating | Plymouth City FC | |||||||||||
| MF | Kyle Thorpe | RMI Armed Forces FC | |||||||||||
| F | Alvin Shaw | Plymouth City FC | |||||||||||
| F | Glenn Rystad | RMI Armed Forces FC | |||||||||||
Career Milestones[]
200 games[]
- Hank McMillan (Arcadia FC) - played 200th match on October 15, 2013
- Dwayne Snowden (Swamplandia Sinners) - played 200th match on November 7, 2013
- Alasdair McRanner (Swamplandia Sinners) - played 200th match on November 11, 2013
- Yusuf Abdul-Samad (Nordheim Badgers FC) - played 200th match on November 14, 2013
- Pierce O´Shea (Dynamo Dorpat) - played 200th match on November 18, 2013
- Felício Melo da Silva (Marseille FC) - played 200th match on November 25, 2013
- Christopher Rojas (VolNation Volunteers) - played 200th match on November 25, 2013
- Matty Doolan (Templar United) - played 200th match on November 28, 2013
- Derek Rhodes (Atlético Melloria) - played 200th match on November 28, 2013
- Bert Gee (London Qwoppers) - played 200th match on November 28, 2013
- Dario Sablone (Swamplandia Sinners) - played 200th match on January 6, 2014
- Raul Gillespie (Debate Land Orators) - played 200th match on January 6, 2014
- Todd Clemence (London Qwoppers) - played 200th match on January 9, 2014
- Kenneth Krippner (Arcadia FC / Clube Atlético Santos) - played 200th match on January 23, 2014
- Sérgio Cambiasso (Atlético Luz Del Mar / VolNation Volunteers) - played 200th match in Liga Mundo on January 23, 2014
Manager of the Season[]
Reichlep (VolNation Volunteers) picked up a soild 67% of the ballots in the four-way run-off vote as he retained his hold over the Manager of the Season Award for Season 18. Cyphon88 (Templar Forsworn / Templar United) and Runningcow (Guajolotes) followed behind in second place while BaronZemo (Nordheim Badgers FC) was shut-out by receiving 0% of the vote. This is the fourth time Reichlep has won the award and the first time someone has managed to win it consecutively.
Copa Cato XI[]
| Tournament Bracket | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1st Round October 14 & October 21, 2013 |
Round of Last 16 October 28 & November 04, 2013 |
Quarter Finals November 11 & November 18, 2013 |
Semi Finals November 25 & December 02, 2013 |
Finals December 09 & December 16, 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Templar Forsworn | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (BYE) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Templar Forsworn | 2 | 0 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 17 | Ocean's Gold | 2 | 1 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 17 | Ocean's Gold | 3 | 1 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 16 | Atlético Nacional | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 17 | Ocean´s Gold | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 9 | Swamplandia Sinners | 3 | 1 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 9 | Swamplandia Sinners | 0 | 2 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 24 | Estrella Roja | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 9 | Swamplandia Sinners | 7 | 2 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 8 | Plymouth City FC | 2 | 2 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 25 | London Qwoppers | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 8 | Plymouth City FC | 7 | 8 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 9 | Swamplandia Sinners | 0 | 2 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Marseille FC | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | Skagafjörður Nords AFC | 5 | 4 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 28 | Vasuda Blue Wings | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | Skagafjörður Nords AFC | 1 | 4 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12 | Firedog SC | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 21 | Atlético Melloria | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12 | Firedog SC | 5 | 7 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | Skagafjörður Nords AFC | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Marseille FC | 3 | 5 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 13 | Clachnacuddin | 1 | 2 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 20 | Bethlehem FC | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 13 | Clachnacuddin | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Marseille FC | 1 | 2aet | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 29 | Gopher City Pippas FC | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Marseille FC | 3 | 2 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 9 | Swamplandia Sinners | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Dynamo Dorpat | 2 | 2 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | VolNation Volunteers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (BYE) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | VolNation Volunteers | 2 | 1 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 14 | The Fighting Sherms | 2 | 0 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 19 | Debate Land Orators | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 14 | The Fighting Sherms | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | VolNation Volunteers | 2 | 1 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11 | Guajolotes | 2 | 0 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11 | Guajolotes | 4 | 6 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 22 | FC Konkrage | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11 | Guajolotes | 4 | 1 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6 | Nordheim Badgers FC | 0 | 3 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 27 | River Plate | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6 | Nordheim Badgers FC | 2 | 2 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | VolNation Volunteers | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Dynamo Dorpat | 2 | 1 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 7 | Keville United FC | 4 | 5 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 26 | Ashie Road 11 | 2 | 1 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 7 | Keville United FC | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10 | Transvaal Springboks | 6 | 3 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 23 | AFC Merry Men | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10 | Transvaal Springboks | 1 | 2 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10 | Transvaal Springboks | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Dynamo Dorpat | 2 | 4 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 15 | RMI Armed Forces FC | 5 | 7 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 18 | Arcadia FC | 3 | 2 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 15 | RMI Armed Forces FC | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Dynamo Dorpat | 5 | 6 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (BYE) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Dynamo Dorpat | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
First Round[]
Matches played on October 14 and October 21, 2013
- Marseille FC defeated Gopher City Pippas FC (3-1; 2-0)
- Skagafjörður Nords AFC defeated Vasuda Blue Wings (5-1; 4-0)
- Nordheim Badgers FC defeated River Plate (2-1; 2-0)
- Keville United FC defeated Ashie Road 11 (4-2; 5-1)
- Plymouth City FC defeated London Qwoppers (7-0; 8-0)
- Swamplandia Sinners defeated Estrella Roja (0-0; 2-0)
- Transvaal Springboks defeated AFC Merry Men (1-0; 2-0)
- Guajolotes defeated FC Konkrage (4-0; 6-0)
- Firedog SC defeated Atlético Melloria (5-1; 7-0)
- Clachnacuddin defeated Bethlehem FC (1-0; 2-1)
- The Fighting Sherms defeated Debate Land Orators (1-0; 1-1)
- RMI Armed Forces FC defeated Arcadia FC (5-3; 7-2)
- Ocean´s Gold defeated Atlético Nacional (3-0; 1-0)
Second Round[]
Matches played on October 28 and November 4, 2013
- Ocean´s Gold defeated Templar Forsworn/Templar United (2-2; 1-0)
- Dynamo Dorpat defeated RMI Armed Forces FC (5-0; 6-0)
- VolNation Volunteers defeated The Fighting Sherms (2-2; 1-0)
- Marseille FC defeated Clachnacuddin (1-1; 2-1)
- Skagafjörður Nords AFC defeated Firedog SC (1-3; 4-0)
- Guajolotes defeated Nordheim Badgers FC (4-0; 1-3)
- Transvaal Springboks defeated Keville United FC (6-0; 3-1)
- Swamplandia Sinners defeated Plymouth City FC (7-2; 2-2)
Templar Forsworn renamed Templar United midway through the Second Round on November 2, 2013
Quarter-Finals[]
Matches played on November 11 and November 18, 2013
- Dynamo Dorpat defeated Transvaal Springboks (2-1; 4-1)
- VolNation Volunteers defeated Guajolotes (2-2; 1-0)
- Marseille FC defeated Skagafjörður Nords AFC (3-1; 5-0)
- Swamplandia Sinners defeated Ocean´s Gold (3-0; 1-1)
Semi-Finals[]
Matches played on November 25 and December 2, 2013
- Dynamo Dorpat defeated VolNation Volunteers (2-0; 1-0)
- Swamplandia Sinners defeated Marseille FC (0-0; 2-0)
Copa Cato XI Finals[]
Matches played on December 9 and December 16, 2013
- Dynamo Dorpat defeated Swamplandia Sinners (2-1; 2-0)
UCFA Champions Cup I[]
DECEMBER 18, 2013 - New winter cup tournament
Commissioner Bartnel Botha today announced the birth of the UCFA Champions Cup.
As the commissioner explained during his press conference: “For some strange reason, we never seem to have cup tournaments falling in the months adjacent to the new year (winter months for those north of the equator, summertime south of it) – only twice in this league’s history, with the last time was way back in Season 7 with the El Invierno Clásico.”
“I’ve never been a huge fan of the El Invierno Clásico name – Spanish for ‘Winter Classic’, I believe – so now with a winter tournament to be scheduled and coupled with the recent, sad departure of one of Liga Mundo’s four original managers, I have decided to retire El Invierno Clásico and replace it with the resuscitated UCFA Champions Cup in honour of the former manager of Arcadia FC, Aracdian_Empire, who was – before PremierApex with founding this league, or Reichlep with the ARK Premiership – a ground-breaking footballing pioneer in Cybernations with his UCFA Champions League which ran for 8 tournaments from October 2007 through into June 2008.”
“Once Liga Mundo and the move towards a CN-X11 crossover came along in January 2008, the UCFA Champions League was put to rest – although the UCFA name continued to be used as a unifying umbrella identification name between all CN-X11 leagues, such as Liga Mundo, the ARK Premiership, the Nordreich Liga, and those defunct leagues that have come and gone.”
“Therefore, in recognition of A_E’s leading place amongst the great founders and builders of the CN football world, it is now time to honour him with the first UCFA Champions Cup.”
The tournament rules will be identical to those used for past Invierno Clásico’s: played when cup season starts in winter months, with random draw 1-game series.
First Round[]
Matches played on December 30, 2013
- Guajolotes defeated Gopher City Pippas FC (2-0)
- River Plate defeated Atlético Nacional (3-0)
- Ashie Road 11 defeated Estrella Roja (1-0)
- Dynamo Dorpat defeated Clube Atlético Santos (3-0)
- Transvaal Springboks defeated Skagafjörður Nords AFC (3-2)
- Clachnacuddin defeated AFC Merry Men (5-0)
- Ocean´s Gold defeated Vasuda Blue Wings (6-0)
- The Fighting Sherms defeated Firedog SC (2-0)
- VolNation Volunteers defeated Atlético Melloria (4-3)
- FC Konkrage defeated RMI Armed Forces FC (2-0)
- Swamplandia Sinners defeated Plymouth City FC (5-2)
- Templar United defeated London Qwoppers (7-0)
- Marseille FC defeated Nordheim Badgers FC (3-2)
Second Round[]
Matches played on January 6, 2014
- Dynamo Dorpat defeated Debate Land Orators (1-0)
- Ashie Road 11 defeated Clachnacuddin (2-1)
- Ocean´s Gold defeated FC Konkrage (3-0)
- VolNation Volunteers defeated Guajolotes (2-1)
- Templar United defeated Bethlehem FC (2-0)
- Marseille FC defeated Swamplandia Sinners (3-0)
- Transvaal Springboks defeated River Plate (4-0)
- Keville United FC defeated The Fighting Sherms (1-0)
Quarter-Finals[]
Matches played on January 13, 2014
- VolNation Volunteers defeated Dynamo Dorpat (2-0)
- Marseille FC defeated Ocean´s Gold (3-1)
- Templar United defeated Keville United FC (4-0)
- Ashie Road 11 defeated Transvaal Springboks (4-3)
Semi-Finals[]
Matches played on January 20, 2014
- VolNation Volunteers defeated Ashie Road 11 (2-0)
- Templar United defeated Marseille FC (2-1 ET)
Cup Finals[]
Match played on January 27, 2014
- VolNation Volunteers defeated Templar United (3-0)
JANUARY 30, 2014 - VolNation Hoists UCFA Champions Cup
Hey, a brand new shiny cup with no names engraved on it. The mere thought of stamping another cup with the name VolNation Volunteers on it first is enough to make the players at VolNation giddy with excitement. After all, look at all the other trophies that have VolNation's name on it first: the Liga Mundo Championship Trophy, the Invierno Clásico Cup, the Copa Del Mar Cup, the Copa Legada Cup. It was with bitterness that they were unexpectedly bounced from the first Copa Cato, as it had almost been accepted within the club that the "first name" honor was theirs by divine right, and winning the second did not assuage that feeling. So the long wait began until earlier this season a new tournament was announced with the really cool name of the UCFA Champions Cup. Immediately, all those long-simmering feelings rose to the top and the focus of a hard season went immediately toward the resolving of missed opportunities and another chance to remind all of the greatness of VolNation football.
The 1st Round draw for VolNation was unexpectedly challenging. Atlético Melloria has proven challenging in the past, but it did not look like there would be much trouble initially as the Mighty Vols quickly went up 3-0 on two Frank Nolan and one Rudolf Fäste goal, all within the first 27 minutes of the match. Unexpectedly, Atlético Melloria clawed back with three unanswered goal of their own, with a header tying it up in the 67th minute. It looked like it might go into extra time, but in the 90th minute, midfielder Nat Jordan slipped past the back line and deposited the winning breakaway goal to give a 4-3 win to the Mighty Vols.
That match seemed to wake up the Mighty Vols and remind them they would need to actually play; that no one was willingly going to hand them their "divine right". It was good timing, too, as the draw gave them the always dangerous Guajolotes club in the Round of 16. While many complained about the "luck of the draw", the Mighty Vols looked at their Round of 16 exit in the Copa Cato I and simply said "Never Again!" Striker Rudolf Fäste gave the Mighty Vols the quick lead in the 8th minute with a flying header, but the Turkeys promptly answered 6 minutes later as forward Cooper Potts connected from inside the box. The Mighty Vols simply continued to play harder, though, as evidenced by both the shots on goal and by the yellow cards that Luke Bribe handed out. That intensity paid off as in the 70th minute, the Mighty Vols got the game winner off a corner kick, where defender Craig MacCarlich curled it in from the flag to a waiting Lloyd Fry, who converted it into a ticket to the quarter finals.
This road didn't get easier as next up was Dynamo Dorpat, a team that simply had VolNation's number all season, including a 5-1 pasting less than a month earlier. There would be no repeat of that performance as former ALDM player Sergio Cambiasso teamed up with Templar-approved Eder Bispo, as well as Elvis and Jeremy Fogerty to play an absolute defensive gem that allowed Dorpat only two chances all match, which Christopher Rojas simply pinched off. It was all up to the offense, and the forwards came through with an early goal off a long range bomb by Mingo Natula with assist by midfielder Caleb Reichle, and a good measure late goal by Rudolf Fäste off a cross by Elvis, who was in the house on both ends of the field.
After prevailing against two of the top teams this season, all wondered whether the draw would give them Templar or Marseille to continue the trend. Instead, VolNation drew the Cinderella of the Cup, Ashie Road 11, in the semis. Ashie Road had already had a magical tourney, defeating Estrella Roja, Clachnacuddin, and the Transvaal Springboks in close, hard-fought matches, and they had with them the support of nearly every fan not wearing the VolNation orange and white. It started out in bruising fashion, as Ashie Road attempted to intimidate VolNation with physical play. It did not go well, though, as Ashie Road had to sub out two players in the first 10 minutes due to injury, then on the freekick after receiving one of the three yellow cards that Ashie Road would collect, midfielder Arthur Basso did what so many bruising teams (see Transvaal Springboks for details) have come to fear; he planted yet another free kick into the net for the lead. VolNation took advantage of the 1 goal lead and Ashie Roads 5-4-1 to play keep-away until early in the second, when forward Mingo Natula took the feed from Basso and put it in at the post for the nail in the coffin and the right to take one of the slots in the finals.
There were no surprises in the other half of the bracket, which meant that the Mighty Vols opponent in the finals would be none other that Templar United, who had been vowing to complete a double this season. Templar also has had VolNation's number, having owned the Mighty Vols in two matches this season and had bounced the Mighty Vols out of the Copa Cato X last season. However, this was the matchup that every player in the VolNation locker room had wanted, as this would mean that the road to the title would involve beating the top three teams this season in league play. "To be the best, you have to beat the best" is a long-time VolNation mantra and a way of life, so it would be nothing but the best against the best for the finals. For the first half, it was very even, with the only issue to note was Elvis going out with an injury and a "weaker" Melvin Flynn coming in. However, aside from getting booked, Flynn's presence did not seem to negatively affect the defensive line that also contained Cambiasso, Fogerty, and Mark Blankenship. Of bigger portent was that the possession battle was being clearly won by the VolNation midfield of Basso, Fry, Pitts, and Nathaniel Reichle. In the second half, that possession battle started paying off big as a wearying Templar midfield could not mark VolNation forward Alin-Andrei Bãrzoi fast enough, and Bãrzoi bombed in a feed from Cambiasso from outside the box to give the Mighty Vols the first goal in the 56th minute. All of the sudden, it was like a pent-up dam burst and Templar was on the wrong end of the flood, as the fleet-footed Bãrzoi struck again three minutes later on a breakaway from a Basso feed and it was 2-0 with all the momentum. The Mighty Vols kept up the pressure and the ball and it wasn't long until the VolNation lightning struck again, this time in the 70th minute as forward Pedro Townsend got his first goal of the cup off a breakaway from Lloyd Fry, and got the legendary VolNation party started in earnest. 3-0 was the final score, and one of the toughest roads to a Cup ever completed was now in the books.
Coach Philip, after the match: "This one is soooooo sweet, as we didn't come in being the favorites, or even close. We are used to being the bullseye, so seeing the bullseye on others is a big change. I am so proud of the boys, to see that the change in status only whetted their appetites that much more to be the first ones on the new trophy. Now it is time to renew an old custom, to take that shiny, brand-new trophy down to the Strip and fill it with some beverages of choice and put it down the hatch! I get first dibs, then we'll sort out the order after that." And with that, the whole team danced out of the press room and joined the VolNation party already underway!
Challenge Cup competitions[]
Inverness Cup II[]
Friendly matches played December 16, 2013 and January 27, 2014
- Ashie Road 11 defeated Clachnacuddin (1-0; 3-1)
JANUARY 26, 2014 - Inverness Cup now officially sanctioned
Commissioner Bartnel Botha today announced the creation of a new class of cup tournaments with the official sanction of the Inverness Cup between Ashie Road 11 vs Clachnacuddin as Liga Mundo’s first ‘challenge cup’ series.
As Botha explained at today’s press announcement: “Ever since Ashie Road 11 joined at the start of Season 17, these two Scottish sides have developed one of the best new rivalries in Liga Mundo that has come along in quite a while. In recognition of what these two teams have accomplished in bringing interest to their two teams, I have decided to announce the creation of the ‘challenge cup’ class added to the list of officially sanctioned tournaments.”
Challenge Cups are those competitions organised every season between two or more teams that are played out either as friendlies and/or derby matches as part of their mutually-scheduled league games. To be given official sanction, the managers of the participating clubs must contact the commissioner with their tournament name for approval.
Team Pages[]
Related nation and member pages[]
- Arcadian Empire
- VolNation
- Cataduanes Free State
- Gopherbashi
- Transvaal (Botha)
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