SSL MacGuffin - S14

[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
S9
S10
S11
S12
S13

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.  - 48
2) Reykjavik United  - 46
3) Hollywood FC  - 27
4) CA Buenos Aires  - 22
5) CF Catalunya  - 20
T-6) Uniao Sao Paulo  - 15
T-6) Inter London  - 15
T-8) Cairo City  - 12
T-8) Seoul MFC  - 12
10) Athenai F.C.  - 11
11) Montreal United  - 7
12) A.C. Romana  - 5
13) AS Paris  - 4
T-14) North Shore United - 3
T-14) F.C. Kaapstad  - 3
16) Schwarzwalder FV   - 2

We enter S14 on the precipice of a changing of the guard. Tokyo S.C. has been a dominant force in the SSL for years, but Reykjavik United has been on a tear lately and is now right on Tokyo's heels. One more strong season from Reykjavik could flip the league paradigm. Speaking of league paradigms, every single SSL franchise finally enters the new season with at least one MacGuffin point. I don't think that's ever happened before (source; I made it up because it sounds reasonable and I don't feel like going back through all of my previous articles to check). It took a while, but at least everyone has had a chance to taste the glory that is the MacGuffin title. Of course, much of that came on the back of the Minors teams snatching the MacGuffin away from the Majors last season. Unfortunately for them, Inter London took the title with them to the Majors via promotion. Can the Minors take the MacGuffin back for a second time in as many seasons? Can Reykjavik United snatch the all time title from Tokyo S.C.? Let's jump in and find out!

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S14
Season Start: Inter London  
Total Games Held: 1
Next Loss: 1-7 @ Reykjavik United

New Title Holder: Reykjavik United
Total Games Held: 4
Next Loss: 1-2 vs A.C. Romana

New Title Holder: A.C. Romana  
Total Games Held: 7
Next Loss: 1-3 @ Tokyo S.C.

New Title Holder: Tokyo S.C.
Total Games Held: 2
Next Loss: 1-3 @ Uniao Sao Paulo

New Title Holder: Uniao Sao Paulo
Total Games Held: 1
Next Loss: 1-5 @ CA Buenos Aires

New Title Holder: CA Buenos Aires
Total Games Held: 2
Next Loss: 1-6 @ Reykjavik United

New Title Holder: Reykjavik United
Total Games Held: 1
Next Loss: 0-3 @ Schwarzwalder FV

New Title Holder: Schwarzwalder FV
Total Games Held: 2
Next Loss: 0-4 @ Reykjavik United

New Title Holder: Reykjavik United
Total Games Held: 3
Next Loss: 2-3 @ Tokyo S.C.

New Title Holder: Tokyo S.C.
Total Games Held: 0
Next Loss: N/A

End of Season

Season Standings:
1) Reykjavik United  - 8
2) A.C. Romana  - 7
T-3) Tokyo S.C.  - 2
T-3) CA Buenos Aires  - 2
T-3) Schwarzwalder FV  - 2
T-6) Inter London  - 1
T-6) Uniao Sao Paulo  - 1

Almost the entirety of the Majors got involved in the MacGuffin race this season, though the top two teams (Reykjavik United and A.C. Romana) ran away with the points lead. A.C. Romana's 7 game run certainly looked more dominant than Reykjavik's three separate runs - to say nothing of Reykjavik just barely hanging on with an awful lot of ties - but at the end of the day Reykjavik did hold the MacGuffin for one more game. History doesn't remember how the results happened, only what the results were. Unsurprisingly, none of the Minors teams managed to repeat their surprise success from S13. Tokyo S.C. isn't being relegated either, so no transfer by means of relegation this season. They'll have a tough road ahead of them to get the MacGuffin back.

All Time Standings:
1) Reykjavik United  - 54 +1
2) Tokyo S.C.  - 50 -1
3) Hollywood FC  - 27
4) CA Buenos Aires  - 24
5) CF Catalunya  - 20
T-6) Uniao Sao Paulo  - 16
T-6) Inter London  - 16
T-8) Cairo City  - 12
T-8) Seoul MFC  - 12
T-8) A.C. Romana  - 12 +4
11) Athenai F.C.  - 11 -1
11) Montreal United  - 7 -1
T-13) AS Paris  - 4
T-13) Schwarzwalder FV  - 4 +3
T-15) North Shore United - 3 -1
T-15) F.C. Kaapstad  - 3 -1

And there it is. Tokyo S.C. did show up this season after their brief hiatus, but it simply wasn't enough to stop Reykjavik's momentum from the last few seasons. Reykjavik United has charged into first place all time on the back of their third straight season MacGuffin title. A.C. Romana also benefited from a strong run, leaping up four places on the all time leaderboard (debatably fewer thanks to tie shenanigans, but 8th place is 8th place). Schwarzwalder saw some movement too, small as it was. At least they're no longer the basement dwellers of the league. Coincidentally enough, the other teams with potential for movement (Inter London and Uniao Sao Paulo) just moved together, keeping them locked in a tie for 6th place all time. Will they break their tie next season? Will Tokyo S.C. take back their throne? Will I actually get some much needed work done today before going to Vegas for vacation? Tune in next time to find out!