SSL MacGuffin - S16 - Printable Version +- Simulation Soccer League (https://forum.simulationsoccer.com) +-- Forum: Player Development (https://forum.simulationsoccer.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=5) +--- Forum: Capped Point Tasks (https://forum.simulationsoccer.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=23) +---- Forum: Articles (https://forum.simulationsoccer.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=46) +---- Thread: SSL MacGuffin - S16 (/showthread.php?tid=10839)

SSL MacGuffin - S16 - TubaDeus - 2026-09-23 For those who missed the premise of this series, you can find the full background here. The short version is that the winner of the first ever SSL game is awarded the initial MacGuffin trophy, which is then passed on whenever the current title holder loses in competition play (Friendlies don't count). I will track how many games each team starts with the MacGuffin in order to determine the true best team in SSL history (because everyone knows the MacGuffin points are the true measure of greatness). You can see previous entries in this series here: S1-2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13 S14 S15 With the introductions out of the way, let's take a look at where we left off last time! All Time Standings: 1) Reykjavik United  - 58 2) Tokyo S.C.  - 52 3) Hollywood FC  - 29 4) CA Buenos Aires  - 25 5) CF Catalunya  - 24 T-6) Uniao Sao Paulo  - 16 T-6) Inter London  - 16 8) A.C. Romana  - 15 T-9) Cairo City  - 12 T-9) Seoul MFC  - 12 11) Athenai F.C.  - 11 T-12) Montreal United  - 7 T-12) Schwarzwalder FV  - 7 14) AS Paris  - 4 T-15) North Shore United - 3 T-15) F.C. Kaapstad  - 3 S15 didn't jumble up the all time rankings much due to some remarkably strong parity within the Majors ranks. Of course, the Minors teams didn't get involved in the action, which does make it a little challenging for them to move up the board. The league has essentially segregated itself into four groups at this point. At the top, we have the two dominant teams, Reykjavik United and Tokyo S.C. Reykjavik is slowly pulling away from Tokyo after only taking the lead away two seasons ago, but they're still well within striking distance for now. Behind them is the runner up group, consisting of Hollywood FC, CA Buenos Aires, and CF Catalunya, three teams that have historically been strong but not consistently. They've separated themselves from the main pack, but have a long way to go to make up ground on the leaders. Speaking of the main pack, that would be the next group, a bunch of six teams spread across as many points and featuring multiple ties. These seem to be the teams that occasionally have strong runs, but are often flirting with the line between Majors and Minors which makes it difficult for them to consistently score points. And finally, there's the back pack featuring the bottom five teams. Most of these are late joiners who have had less time that the rest to even score points, though there are a couple long time stragglers. Will the back pack finally make a resurgence? Will someone rise from the middle pack? Can Tokyo S.C. reclaim their throne? Let's dive in and find out! S16 Season Start: Schwarzwalder FV Total Games Held: 4 Next Loss: 1-4 @ Tokyo S.C. New Title Holder: Tokyo S.C. Total Games Held: 3 Next Loss: 1-3 @ F.C. Kaapstad New Title Holder: F.C. Kaapstad Total Games Held: 1 Next Loss: 3-4 vs North Shore United New Title Holder: North Shore United Total Games Held: 3 Next Loss: 2-3 @ Inter London New Title Holder: Inter London   Total Games Held: 3 Next Loss: 1-2 @ Cairo City New Title Holder: Cairo City Total Games Held: 1 Next Loss: 0-4 @ North Shore United New Title Holder: North Shore United Total Games Held: 3 Next Loss: N/A End of Season Season Standings: 1) North Shore United  - 6 2) Schwarzwalder FV  - 4 T-3) Tokyo S.C.  - 3 T-3) Inter London  - 3 T-5) F.C. Kaapstad  - 1 T-5) Cairo City  - 1 The highlight of the season is the upset of F.C. Kaapstad over all time powerhouse Tokyo S.C. in Cup play. In the win, F.C. Kaapstad managed to snatch the MacGuffin away from the Majors teams and back to the Minors. Even more surprising, North Shore United then defended the MacGuffin in their Cup match (once again against Tokyo S.C.) to keep it there. Maybe Tokyo isn't all they were cracked up to be. In any case, the pair of shocking upsets gave several long time Minors teams a rare chance to score some points. The main team to capitalize on it was North Shore United, going on two separate runs and even ending the season with the MacGuffin. Inter London had a decent run mixed in there, while F.C. Kaapstad and Cairo City at least got a piece of the action. Unfortunately for the Minors, we once again have a situation where the Minors teams suffer from their own success. North Shore United dominated the Minors this season, so ending the season with the MacGuffin means they will be taking it with them when they're promoted into the Majors going into S17. Impressive collaborative effort by the Minors this season, but they're going to have to pull off another upset next season if they want a repeat. All Time Standings: 1) Reykjavik United  - 58 2) Tokyo S.C.  - 55 3) Hollywood FC  - 29 4) CA Buenos Aires  - 25 5) CF Catalunya  - 24 6) Inter London  - 19 7) Uniao Sao Paulo  - 16 -1 8) A.C. Romana  - 15 9) Cairo City  - 13 10) Seoul MFC  - 12 -1 T-11) Athenai F.C.  - 11 T-11) Schwarzwalder FV  - 11 +1 13) North Shore United  - 9 +2 14) Montreal United  - 7 -2 T-15) AS Paris  - 4 -1 T-15) F.C. Kaapstad  - 4 At the top end, Tokyo S.C. did manage to slightly close the gap with Reykjavik United again, but then they fumbled the MacGuffin to the Minors. I would probably assess a penalty for that if I weren't unbending on the rules. Although I suppose you could call it 4D chess since it resulted in Tokyo getting points while denying Reykjavik the opportunity to score any themselves. Food for thought. In any case, the more interesting movement in the all time standings occurred further down the list. With an assortment of Minors teams getting in on the MacGuffin action, we had several ties broken up and some bottom feeding teams finally moving up the board. Inter London and Cairo City each broke off their ties to take sole possession of the ranks they already held. Technically this means they didn't move up, but it does solidify their status. Further down the list, Schwarzwalder FV caught up to the main pack in their bid to tie Athenai F.C. for 11th place all time and North Shore United is right on their heels. All the way at the bottom, F.C. Kaapstad was unable to climb out of the basement, but they continue to act like crabs in a bucket in their efforts to avoid taking sole possession of last place. Will the Minors teams get another much needed upset next season? Will North Shore United continue to climb as they take the MacGuffin back to the Majors with them? Will Tokyo S.C. take back their all time title from Reykjavik United? Will I actually get some work done today instead of spending my entire work day writing SSL media? Tune in next time to find out!