2022-12-11, 11:00 PM - Word count:
Season 6 was another competitive season for C.F. Catalunya, but unfortunately, they came up short finishing 3rd in the league and getting knocked out of the SSL Cup by Athenai on away goal. Managers Johan Hernandez and Watermelon Pep have made some changes to the squad in hopes of remaining competitive and chasing that elusive SSL League Title. Firstly, we’ll track the departures:
Aleksandar Stojakovic: Originally an Inter London FC S1 draftee, he was left unprotected in the S2 expansion draft and picked up by C.F. Catalunya where he would rack up 47.5 full caps and win an SSL Cup and Founder’s Shield. His partnership with Jökull Júlíusson formed a solid wall in front of Alexsandra Gunnarsson. When Leif Physt was drafted in S4 and started getting some playing time off the bench, he sought a loan to Athenai in S5. Now, going on loan to Romana, he hopes to help another expansion side in their own inaugural season in the SSL Second Division. He’ll be a valuable boost to their backline as they’ll be facing clubs looking to poach off them in their quest for promotion.
Jay Jay Okocha: Jay Jay Okocha was a huge loanee in S6 contributing with 15 G/As 18.5 APPS. Jay Jay Okocha may have only been a loanee, but he will be missed by the supporters. The first Catalunya player to wear the famous #10, he certainly did it justice with his 8 goals and 7 assists showing his ability to create and finish chances for Catalunya. A great team player with bags of talent, he returns to Seoul hoping that his development here will help him lead his own club to promotion.
Ronaldo de Silva: A promising talent coming out of Brazil, he struggled for minutes in S5 resulting in him being loaned out to Seoul so he could have the playing time to develop his game. Ronaldo de Silva struggled alongside Seoul producing 3 G/As in 10 league appearances. Coming to Romana, the hope is he can connect with his other teammate Brock Sherwood and develop in a new growing club. The fancy footed dribbler has the talent, but he just needs to work on his production.
Brock Sherwood: The second player to be loaned out to Romana is defensive midfielder Brock Sherwood who was drafted in S6 and had a loan spell with Athenai where he struggled for minutes. The goal with this loan is to give Sherwood more playing time in a lower division for his development. Brock Sherwood looks extremely promising talent to a Catalunya side that has been lacking a consistent midfield outside of Budget Busquets; he could certainly be their future.
We’ve covered the departures, but there were also some arrivals to boost the squad:
Pascal Anivierre: Pascal has an impressive 35 G/As in 61 Apps splitting 4 seasons between Cairo and Sao Paulo before being traded to new founded club Romana. A loan to C.F. Catalunya will be seen as their attempts to replace Jay Jay Okocha where he’ll be expected to play on the wing or in the #10 behind the striker. He can be expected to provide service to Dogwood Maple and Mojo Rizing while being able to create and finishes chances of his own.
Vui Kemoeatu: Through 53.5 appearances for Accra with 22 G/A, Vui could potentially be the final piece of the Catalunya jigsaw puzzle. S5 Catalunya lost out on the title on the last matchday and have been regular competitors at the top of the table, but this could be the weakness of their game they’ve been trying to cover for a few seasons now. Whilst Sherwood develops for the season, Vui offers lots of experience and will link up with Budget Busquets and Shion Okamoto to make up one of the most fearsome midfield trios in the league.
So how are C.F. Catalunya expected to lineup this season?
Goalkeeper:
S2 – 1353 TPE – Alexandra Gunnarsson has been with Catalunya since their inaugural season and has been a vital part of the club with 101 APPS, 46 wins, and 28 clean sheets to their name. A former keeper of the season, Gunnarsson certainly should still be considered among the elite going into S7.
Centerbacks:
S2 – 1199 TPE - Jökull Júlíusson is another og from the inaugural season and has played a huge role in defending the back also appearing 101 times chipping in with 9 G/As 4 player of the match awards. Another member of the Best XI, he is not only amongst the best defenders on the team, but the entire league and will look to continue on that front.
S4 – 842 TPE – Leif Physt joined Catatlunya 2 seasons later in S4 probably a solid partner for Jökull Júlíusson. With 55.5 Apps Leif Physt has contributed 3 G/As and looks to be the perfect partner for the foreseeable future.
Wingbacks:
S2 – 1011 TPE – Vins Vins joined on waiver wire in S2 just before the start of the regular season and thus has 101 Apps with 31 G/As and is Catalunya’s all-time assist record holders (22). He’s their corner kick taker and will be looking to try to climb his way up the assist records league/cup wide.
S3 – 1042 TPE – Juha Jarvinen was drafted just a season after in S3 and was meant to replace Xherdan Xahka who left for Sydney City in the S3 Expansion Draft. Juha has racked up 85 APPS and 18 G/As for C.F. Catalunya and has shown that the modern wingback can do it all. Whilst he doesn’t have as many assists as Vins Vins he’s shown a knack for scoring and among the top 20 in interceptions he has the most per 90 minutes. He’s an absolute speed demon and covers the entirety of the pitch like no other.
Midfielders:
S1 – 1448 TPE – Budget Busquets has been a cornerstone of this club with 96 of his 108 CAPS for Catalunya where he’s produced 15 G/As but he’s mainly known for his ability to break up counters and distributing the ball. With a strong midfield ahead of him, the weight on his shoulders can be lifted to focus more on breaking up play and distribution allowing Okamoto and Kemoeatu to create chances and play further up the pitch.
S1 – 1315 TPE – Shion Okamoto joined in S2 as well for their inaugural season where he’s put up 75 Apps with 34 G/As. At times disappointing, other times the standout player, Okamoto needs to find consistency if he wants to give his team a chance at the title. He could be one of Catalunya’s best playmakers and has shown he can score as well.
S4 – 942 TPE – Vui Kemoeatu as mentioned early was brought in from Accra on loan and is expected to come slot right into this midfield right away. He has shown he knows how to pick a pass and with Dogwood Maple and Mojo Rizing ahead of him, he’s likely to leave Catalunya this season with some assists (and hopefully goals).
Wingers:
S3 – 1140 TPE – Pascal Anivierre the second loanee to come in this season is expected to pitch in with some goals on the wing, but will mostly look to set up Dogwood Maple or Mojo Rizing with their playmaking skills.
S4 – 817 TPE – Floppy McFlopface is probably the least motivated player on this list, potentially even the league. Somehow despite his complete lack of effort, he’s managed 37.5 CAPS for Catalunya contributing 22 G/As showing that he’s a natural talent. Maybe Floppy McFlopface doesn’t need to practice, but imagine how good he could be if he actually did. We’ll see if he can continue to show his promise and become one of the league’s best wingers.
Striker:
S4 – 857 TPE – Dogwood Maple has been a revelation for Catalunya. Losing Mack Fred then Leo Papadopoulos was a huge loss for Catalunya, but then Dogwood Maple came along and provided Catalunya with a true wonderkid. Dogwood Maple has managed to already appear in 57.5 matches providing an incredible return of 48 G/As putting himself among the SSL Cup greats where he led them to the cup in his rookie season. Since then he’s slowly climbed to second in all time SSL Cup goal scorers whilst posting the highest goals per 90. His success in front of the net will be crucial to Catalunya’s season.
Bench:
S3 – 806 TPE – Mojo Rizing is the super sub. His incredible speed and lethal finishing have made him a horror for tired defenders as his fresh legs wheel past them. 50.5 Apps good for 29 G/As, Mojo can always spur a surprise and will be battling it out with the front 3 for playing time.
S4 – 573 TPE – Kevin De Burnya drafted in S4 has 26.5 apps with 6 G/As to his name. He’s a great squad player who can do it all in the midfield. He’s slowly but steadily getting better.
S1 – 749 TPE – Awesome McPossum another inaugural member, he’s posted 83.5 caps for Catalunya with 25 G/As. Whilst his playing time has been reduced, he is still one of the best free kick takers and overall playmakers on the team.
S2 – 768 TPE – Jackson Clarke is the final member of the inaugural squad still left on Catalunya, he’s appeared for Catalunya for 50 full appearances contributing with 28 G/As. Last season was his finest showing with 9 G/As in 7.5 appearances, but Floppy McFlopface and Mojo Rizing have provided challenges to his playing time. He still has a lot to give though and will be a valuable option off the bench.
S3 – 482 TPE – Jaume Vila hasn’t played the most for Catalunya only offering 1.5 appearances, but his experience in Buenos Aires where he posted 26 Apps with 6 G/As to boot. He’s a reliable option in case Vins Vins or Juha Jarvinen get injured.
Conclusion: This is a roster that should be competing at the top, as it always has. Will it be the year they win it all? The expectations for this season will be at least top 3 and anything else would likely be a disappointment. Drawing Kaapstad, Romana, and Laos looks to make Catalunya favourites to proceed from Group A. I am sure many of the supporters, players, and staff will be expecting a deep cup run as well as a title challenge at the very least. A lot of pressure is on Johan Hernandez who is still looking to find a way to unlock this team’s potential.
Aleksandar Stojakovic: Originally an Inter London FC S1 draftee, he was left unprotected in the S2 expansion draft and picked up by C.F. Catalunya where he would rack up 47.5 full caps and win an SSL Cup and Founder’s Shield. His partnership with Jökull Júlíusson formed a solid wall in front of Alexsandra Gunnarsson. When Leif Physt was drafted in S4 and started getting some playing time off the bench, he sought a loan to Athenai in S5. Now, going on loan to Romana, he hopes to help another expansion side in their own inaugural season in the SSL Second Division. He’ll be a valuable boost to their backline as they’ll be facing clubs looking to poach off them in their quest for promotion.
Jay Jay Okocha: Jay Jay Okocha was a huge loanee in S6 contributing with 15 G/As 18.5 APPS. Jay Jay Okocha may have only been a loanee, but he will be missed by the supporters. The first Catalunya player to wear the famous #10, he certainly did it justice with his 8 goals and 7 assists showing his ability to create and finish chances for Catalunya. A great team player with bags of talent, he returns to Seoul hoping that his development here will help him lead his own club to promotion.
Ronaldo de Silva: A promising talent coming out of Brazil, he struggled for minutes in S5 resulting in him being loaned out to Seoul so he could have the playing time to develop his game. Ronaldo de Silva struggled alongside Seoul producing 3 G/As in 10 league appearances. Coming to Romana, the hope is he can connect with his other teammate Brock Sherwood and develop in a new growing club. The fancy footed dribbler has the talent, but he just needs to work on his production.
Brock Sherwood: The second player to be loaned out to Romana is defensive midfielder Brock Sherwood who was drafted in S6 and had a loan spell with Athenai where he struggled for minutes. The goal with this loan is to give Sherwood more playing time in a lower division for his development. Brock Sherwood looks extremely promising talent to a Catalunya side that has been lacking a consistent midfield outside of Budget Busquets; he could certainly be their future.
We’ve covered the departures, but there were also some arrivals to boost the squad:
Pascal Anivierre: Pascal has an impressive 35 G/As in 61 Apps splitting 4 seasons between Cairo and Sao Paulo before being traded to new founded club Romana. A loan to C.F. Catalunya will be seen as their attempts to replace Jay Jay Okocha where he’ll be expected to play on the wing or in the #10 behind the striker. He can be expected to provide service to Dogwood Maple and Mojo Rizing while being able to create and finishes chances of his own.
Vui Kemoeatu: Through 53.5 appearances for Accra with 22 G/A, Vui could potentially be the final piece of the Catalunya jigsaw puzzle. S5 Catalunya lost out on the title on the last matchday and have been regular competitors at the top of the table, but this could be the weakness of their game they’ve been trying to cover for a few seasons now. Whilst Sherwood develops for the season, Vui offers lots of experience and will link up with Budget Busquets and Shion Okamoto to make up one of the most fearsome midfield trios in the league.
So how are C.F. Catalunya expected to lineup this season?
Goalkeeper:
S2 – 1353 TPE – Alexandra Gunnarsson has been with Catalunya since their inaugural season and has been a vital part of the club with 101 APPS, 46 wins, and 28 clean sheets to their name. A former keeper of the season, Gunnarsson certainly should still be considered among the elite going into S7.
Centerbacks:
S2 – 1199 TPE - Jökull Júlíusson is another og from the inaugural season and has played a huge role in defending the back also appearing 101 times chipping in with 9 G/As 4 player of the match awards. Another member of the Best XI, he is not only amongst the best defenders on the team, but the entire league and will look to continue on that front.
S4 – 842 TPE – Leif Physt joined Catatlunya 2 seasons later in S4 probably a solid partner for Jökull Júlíusson. With 55.5 Apps Leif Physt has contributed 3 G/As and looks to be the perfect partner for the foreseeable future.
Wingbacks:
S2 – 1011 TPE – Vins Vins joined on waiver wire in S2 just before the start of the regular season and thus has 101 Apps with 31 G/As and is Catalunya’s all-time assist record holders (22). He’s their corner kick taker and will be looking to try to climb his way up the assist records league/cup wide.
S3 – 1042 TPE – Juha Jarvinen was drafted just a season after in S3 and was meant to replace Xherdan Xahka who left for Sydney City in the S3 Expansion Draft. Juha has racked up 85 APPS and 18 G/As for C.F. Catalunya and has shown that the modern wingback can do it all. Whilst he doesn’t have as many assists as Vins Vins he’s shown a knack for scoring and among the top 20 in interceptions he has the most per 90 minutes. He’s an absolute speed demon and covers the entirety of the pitch like no other.
Midfielders:
S1 – 1448 TPE – Budget Busquets has been a cornerstone of this club with 96 of his 108 CAPS for Catalunya where he’s produced 15 G/As but he’s mainly known for his ability to break up counters and distributing the ball. With a strong midfield ahead of him, the weight on his shoulders can be lifted to focus more on breaking up play and distribution allowing Okamoto and Kemoeatu to create chances and play further up the pitch.
S1 – 1315 TPE – Shion Okamoto joined in S2 as well for their inaugural season where he’s put up 75 Apps with 34 G/As. At times disappointing, other times the standout player, Okamoto needs to find consistency if he wants to give his team a chance at the title. He could be one of Catalunya’s best playmakers and has shown he can score as well.
S4 – 942 TPE – Vui Kemoeatu as mentioned early was brought in from Accra on loan and is expected to come slot right into this midfield right away. He has shown he knows how to pick a pass and with Dogwood Maple and Mojo Rizing ahead of him, he’s likely to leave Catalunya this season with some assists (and hopefully goals).
Wingers:
S3 – 1140 TPE – Pascal Anivierre the second loanee to come in this season is expected to pitch in with some goals on the wing, but will mostly look to set up Dogwood Maple or Mojo Rizing with their playmaking skills.
S4 – 817 TPE – Floppy McFlopface is probably the least motivated player on this list, potentially even the league. Somehow despite his complete lack of effort, he’s managed 37.5 CAPS for Catalunya contributing 22 G/As showing that he’s a natural talent. Maybe Floppy McFlopface doesn’t need to practice, but imagine how good he could be if he actually did. We’ll see if he can continue to show his promise and become one of the league’s best wingers.
Striker:
S4 – 857 TPE – Dogwood Maple has been a revelation for Catalunya. Losing Mack Fred then Leo Papadopoulos was a huge loss for Catalunya, but then Dogwood Maple came along and provided Catalunya with a true wonderkid. Dogwood Maple has managed to already appear in 57.5 matches providing an incredible return of 48 G/As putting himself among the SSL Cup greats where he led them to the cup in his rookie season. Since then he’s slowly climbed to second in all time SSL Cup goal scorers whilst posting the highest goals per 90. His success in front of the net will be crucial to Catalunya’s season.
Bench:
S3 – 806 TPE – Mojo Rizing is the super sub. His incredible speed and lethal finishing have made him a horror for tired defenders as his fresh legs wheel past them. 50.5 Apps good for 29 G/As, Mojo can always spur a surprise and will be battling it out with the front 3 for playing time.
S4 – 573 TPE – Kevin De Burnya drafted in S4 has 26.5 apps with 6 G/As to his name. He’s a great squad player who can do it all in the midfield. He’s slowly but steadily getting better.
S1 – 749 TPE – Awesome McPossum another inaugural member, he’s posted 83.5 caps for Catalunya with 25 G/As. Whilst his playing time has been reduced, he is still one of the best free kick takers and overall playmakers on the team.
S2 – 768 TPE – Jackson Clarke is the final member of the inaugural squad still left on Catalunya, he’s appeared for Catalunya for 50 full appearances contributing with 28 G/As. Last season was his finest showing with 9 G/As in 7.5 appearances, but Floppy McFlopface and Mojo Rizing have provided challenges to his playing time. He still has a lot to give though and will be a valuable option off the bench.
S3 – 482 TPE – Jaume Vila hasn’t played the most for Catalunya only offering 1.5 appearances, but his experience in Buenos Aires where he posted 26 Apps with 6 G/As to boot. He’s a reliable option in case Vins Vins or Juha Jarvinen get injured.
Conclusion: This is a roster that should be competing at the top, as it always has. Will it be the year they win it all? The expectations for this season will be at least top 3 and anything else would likely be a disappointment. Drawing Kaapstad, Romana, and Laos looks to make Catalunya favourites to proceed from Group A. I am sure many of the supporters, players, and staff will be expecting a deep cup run as well as a title challenge at the very least. A lot of pressure is on Johan Hernandez who is still looking to find a way to unlock this team’s potential.
