GRADED: SSL MacGuffin - S9

[TubaDeus]

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

With the introductions out of the way, let's take a look at where we left off last time!

All Time Standings:
1) Tokyo S.C.  - 31
2) Hollywood FC  - 22
3) Reykjavik United  - 20
T-4) Inter London  - 12
T-4) CF Catalunya  - 12
T-4) Cairo City  - 12
7) Athenai F.C.  - 11
8) Seoul MFC  - 10
9) Montreal United  - 7
10) CA Buenos Aires  - 5
11) AS Paris  - 4
T-12) Adowa Accra FC  - 2
T-12) F.C. Kaapstad  - 2
T-14) Uniao Sao Paulo  - 0
T-14) A.C. Romana  - 0
T-14) Red Star Laos  - 0

I expected the Division 1 teams to pull away last season, but it really just turned into Division 1 team (singular). Tokyo S.C. dominated the MacGuffin in S8, plowing their way to a massive lead in the historical standings while the rest of the standings only saw minor shakeups. Almost as impressive, the MacGuffin was this close to going back down to Division 2 before CF Catalunya snatched it away from the relegated Cairo City in the final week of the season. Will a Division 2 team pull off the upset this season? Will someone close that gap with Tokyo? Will Uniao Sao Paulo finally get a point (seriously, how long can you spend in the same division as the MacGuffin and almost never even get a chance to take it)? Let's dive into S9 and find out!

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S9
Season Start: CF Catalunya 
Total Games Held: 5
Next Loss: 0-1 @ Hollywood FC

New Title Holder: Hollywood FC
Total Games Held: 3
Next Loss: 0-1 v Tokyo S.C.

New Title Holder: Tokyo S.C.
Total Games Held: 7
Next Loss: 1-2 @ CA Buenos Aires

New Title Holder: CA Buenos Aires
Total Games Held: 7
Next Loss: N/A

End of Season

Season Standings:
T-1) Tokyo S.C.  - 7
T-1) CA Buenos Aires  - 7
3) CF Catalunya  - 5
4) Hollywood FC  - 3

Aaaaand we're back to only having the MacGuffin exchange hands three times all season. It came close several times - CF Catalunya alone defended their title through three ties in five games - but alas, here we are. At least one of the four teams involved this season is relatively new blood. CA Buenos Aires had been quiet for a while, but they started showing up in S8 and here they are going blow for blow with powerhouse Tokyo in S9. At least Tokyo didn't run away with the solo lead again.

All Time Standings:
1) Tokyo S.C.  - 38
2) Hollywood FC  - 25
3) Reykjavik United  - 20
4) CF Catalunya  - 17
T-5) Inter London  - 12 -1
T-5) Cairo City  - 12 -1
T-5) CA Buenos Aires  - 12 +5
8) Athenai F.C.  - 11 -1
9) Seoul MFC  - 10 -1
10) Montreal United  - 7 -1
11) AS Paris  - 4
T-12) Adowa Accra FC  - 2
T-12) F.C. Kaapstad  - 2
T-14) Uniao Sao Paulo  - 0
T-14) A.C. Romana  - 0
T-14) Red Star Laos  - 0

Of course, just because Tokyo didn't run away with the solo season lead doesn't mean they didn't add to their all time dominance. Even with second place Hollywood FC on the board for S9, Tokyo S.C. was simply better as they extended their all time lead to an astounding 13 games. CF Catalunya is at least trying to make themselves relevant as they slowly close the gap with third place (and helplessly Division 2 team) Reykjavik United, but they'll need to move faster if they want to catch up to the leaders. The only other mover is CA Buenos Aires, whose strong S9 performance catapulted them to a tie atop the middle tier. And, of course, Uniao Sao Paulo still has 0 points. They did have two chances this season, including a tie against CA Buenos Aires, but just couldn't get the job done. Will Uniao Sao Paulo finally get onto the MacGuffin leaderboard? Will anyone catch up to Tokyo S.C.? Will anyone pay to fly me out to Iceland or northern Spain to watch the solar eclipse on my birthday next week? Tune in next week to find out!

[Hero19]

Great article, really enjoying this thread.

- Graded with a little bonus.