2026-08-13, 08:50 AM - Word count:
Prior to the start of the season I did a short article on the S13 class for an academy task and I have been anxious to check out how each their seasons unfolded. The 3 players of S13 are currently the oldest remaining active players in the league. With regression facing us all eventually these players are doing everything they can to help their club and finish their glorious careers on a high note.
Here is a short look at the veteran players of S13 season and career high statistics:
Alessandro Del Pirlo
Club: North Shore United
Positions: ST, CAM, CM
Average Rating: 7.23 (Career high 8.13 in season 15)
Player of the Match: 1 (Career high 7 in season 20)
Appearances: 17 (Career high 27 in season 18)
Goals: 8 (Career high 26 in season 20)
Assists: 3 (Career high 10 in season 21)
Shots on target: 11 (Career high 66 in season 20)
Pass %: 84.99 *(Career high season 26)
Cross %: 30 *(Career high season 26)
Header %: 41.79 (Career high 59.93 in season 20)
Although this year looks good for some people, it was not up to the typical standard Alessandro Del Pirlo has set through most of his career. For the first time since his rookie year he was unable to score 10 goals or more for his club. Even just 2 years prior he was able to score 15 goals in just 11 appearances. His shots were quality but with only 11 on target this is less than half of his normal expectations with him getting 24 shots on target just last year. The shots on target peaked in season 20 with 66 total but have regressed every year since. Finding opportunity for good shots has been difficult this season for Alessandro. His passing is an improvement from years past with this being his highest % of his career. Crossing was also up with 30% success for another career high. It might be getting tougher to score but if Alessandro can keep up to pace in the midfield than maybe he can continue for one more season and continue guiding the younger players of the club.
Wang Zhihao
Club: Montreal United
Positions: ST, CAM, CM
Average Rating: 6.82 (Career high 8.07 in season 13)
Player of the Match: 0 (Career high 5 in season 20 and 18)
Appearances: 6.5 (Career high 27 in season 23)
Goals: 3 (Career high 22 in season 20 and 17)
Assists: 0 (Career high 9 in season 22)
Shots on target: 7 (Career high 42 in season 17)
Pass %: 85.78 (Career high 86.26 in season 25)
Cross %: 14.29 (Career high 31.25 season 17)
Header %: 13.51 (Career high 51.02 in season 15)
Zhihao did have 3 goals in 6.5 appearances which is an improved goals per game average for the past 3 seasons. His pass was once again in 85%+ territory for the 4th of the past 5 years. Crossing was not far off of his usual pace, as was similar with heading this season. This year was a decent improvement in some areas compared to his last couple of seasons however the reduced number of appearances make it difficult to judge compared to having a larger pool of games played. His willingness to help out when needed but also giving some play time to the younger players is something I'm sure his team appreciates. If Wang comes back for one more season hopefully he can find a position and play style that gets him a few more games than this season did.
Brick Wall Jr.
Club: North Shore United
Positions: GK
Average Rating: 7.06 (Career high 7.08 in season 16, 17)
Player of the Match: 1 (Ties career high)
Appearances: 17 (Career high 26 in seasons 18, 20, 23)
Shots on target: 11 (Career high 66 in season 20)
Wins: 8 (Career high 19 in season 20)
Clean Sheets: 1 (Career high 11 in season 15, 16, 17)
Save %: 69.93 (Career high 76.47 in season 16)
Brick Wall has one of the toughest positions already and with regression it would be much more challenging. Brick Wall has managed to keep his team in most of the games and nearly matches his career high for average rating. Managing 8 wins in 17 appearances is not too bad considering he was facing more shots on target than usual this season. He did concede 43 goals which is just over 2.5 goals per game which is likely the worst of his career. I'm sure Brick is continuing to do everything he can to battle hard in his position until the club find a younger player to takeover the role.
Final Note:
It has been nice to see each of the players get some game appearances and have some success for their clubs. To score a goal, get a clean sheet, or player of the match is exciting for any player but I bet it extra special for these veterans and clubs when they managed to achieve it this late in their careers. I have not seen if these players are considering retirement but I wish them all the best in whatever their future holds.
Here is a short look at the veteran players of S13 season and career high statistics:
Alessandro Del Pirlo
Club: North Shore United
Positions: ST, CAM, CM
Average Rating: 7.23 (Career high 8.13 in season 15)
Player of the Match: 1 (Career high 7 in season 20)
Appearances: 17 (Career high 27 in season 18)
Goals: 8 (Career high 26 in season 20)
Assists: 3 (Career high 10 in season 21)
Shots on target: 11 (Career high 66 in season 20)
Pass %: 84.99 *(Career high season 26)
Cross %: 30 *(Career high season 26)
Header %: 41.79 (Career high 59.93 in season 20)
Although this year looks good for some people, it was not up to the typical standard Alessandro Del Pirlo has set through most of his career. For the first time since his rookie year he was unable to score 10 goals or more for his club. Even just 2 years prior he was able to score 15 goals in just 11 appearances. His shots were quality but with only 11 on target this is less than half of his normal expectations with him getting 24 shots on target just last year. The shots on target peaked in season 20 with 66 total but have regressed every year since. Finding opportunity for good shots has been difficult this season for Alessandro. His passing is an improvement from years past with this being his highest % of his career. Crossing was also up with 30% success for another career high. It might be getting tougher to score but if Alessandro can keep up to pace in the midfield than maybe he can continue for one more season and continue guiding the younger players of the club.
Wang Zhihao
Club: Montreal United
Positions: ST, CAM, CM
Average Rating: 6.82 (Career high 8.07 in season 13)
Player of the Match: 0 (Career high 5 in season 20 and 18)
Appearances: 6.5 (Career high 27 in season 23)
Goals: 3 (Career high 22 in season 20 and 17)
Assists: 0 (Career high 9 in season 22)
Shots on target: 7 (Career high 42 in season 17)
Pass %: 85.78 (Career high 86.26 in season 25)
Cross %: 14.29 (Career high 31.25 season 17)
Header %: 13.51 (Career high 51.02 in season 15)
Zhihao did have 3 goals in 6.5 appearances which is an improved goals per game average for the past 3 seasons. His pass was once again in 85%+ territory for the 4th of the past 5 years. Crossing was not far off of his usual pace, as was similar with heading this season. This year was a decent improvement in some areas compared to his last couple of seasons however the reduced number of appearances make it difficult to judge compared to having a larger pool of games played. His willingness to help out when needed but also giving some play time to the younger players is something I'm sure his team appreciates. If Wang comes back for one more season hopefully he can find a position and play style that gets him a few more games than this season did.
Brick Wall Jr.
Club: North Shore United
Positions: GK
Average Rating: 7.06 (Career high 7.08 in season 16, 17)
Player of the Match: 1 (Ties career high)
Appearances: 17 (Career high 26 in seasons 18, 20, 23)
Shots on target: 11 (Career high 66 in season 20)
Wins: 8 (Career high 19 in season 20)
Clean Sheets: 1 (Career high 11 in season 15, 16, 17)
Save %: 69.93 (Career high 76.47 in season 16)
Brick Wall has one of the toughest positions already and with regression it would be much more challenging. Brick Wall has managed to keep his team in most of the games and nearly matches his career high for average rating. Managing 8 wins in 17 appearances is not too bad considering he was facing more shots on target than usual this season. He did concede 43 goals which is just over 2.5 goals per game which is likely the worst of his career. I'm sure Brick is continuing to do everything he can to battle hard in his position until the club find a younger player to takeover the role.
Final Note:
It has been nice to see each of the players get some game appearances and have some success for their clubs. To score a goal, get a clean sheet, or player of the match is exciting for any player but I bet it extra special for these veterans and clubs when they managed to achieve it this late in their careers. I have not seen if these players are considering retirement but I wish them all the best in whatever their future holds.
