2025-06-12, 04:10 PM - Word count:
Season 20 has finally come to a close, and after a longer than expected delay due to unforeseen circumstances, we can now take a moment to reflect on the action. This season marked the start of a new chapter for the SSL with the introduction of the 10-team format. The arrivals of Shanghai Dragons FC and CD Tenochtitlan brought four additional matches filled with top-tier competition. Just like last season, the title race was tightly contested and came down to the wire, delivering another thrilling finish. Now let’s focus on each team and how they performed this season compared to my expectations.
10th - Club de Futbol Catalunya
- 2 Wins, 0 Draws, 16 Losses - 6 Points
Preseason Expectation: 8th
Normally, this is where I would talk about what went wrong and how Catalunya needs to make major changes, but not this time. As some of you may know, I am the president of the Expected Goals Enthusiasts Club (EGEC), and this season Catalunya were absolutely robbed by the xG gods. They scored 10 goals fewer than expected and conceded 23 more than the numbers predicted. Maybe there was some hidden meaning behind it, but I doubt Catalunya sees it that way. The silver lining is that their underwhelming season earned them the first overall pick, although that now belongs to Hollywood thanks to a trade made last season. Congratulations, Dom!
9th - Shanghai Dragons Football Club
- 2 Wins, 1 Draw, 15 Losses - 7 Points
Preseason Expectation: 10th
The first of our two expansion teams, Shanghai Dragons FC finished the season in 9th, one spot ahead of where I predicted. While the results were underwhelming, the team showed glimpses of potential, especially in a few closely fought matches. For a debut season, avoiding last place is a solid starting point to build from. With three first-round picks, including the 2nd and 3rd overall, I’m confident Manager North has a plan in motion to push Shanghai up the table. That is, of course, assuming their “star striker” Thomas Hohenhahn learns how to actually score.
8th - Club Deportivo Tenochtitlan
- 5 Wins, 2 Draws, 11 Losses - 17 Points
Preseason Expectation: 9th
The second of our two expansion teams, Tenochtitlan finishes in 8th, right above Shanghai, but the difference in points is much more telling than the standings. With a 10-point gap to Shanghai, I think it’s safe to say that CDT won this round, the score is officially 1–0. While still rough around the edges, they managed to grind out five wins and showed real flashes. There’s a real identity forming here, and if they can carry that momentum forward, they might just be a team to watch next season. Even their minor team impressed, finishing 5th (thank you) and showing that the pipeline of talent is already taking shape. Except for that Andre Caetano guy, I have no idea why he went 7th overall.
7th - Tokyo Sports Club
- 6 Wins, 4 Draws, 8 Losses - 22 Points
Preseason Expectation: 5th
For the third season in a row, Tokyo finishes below my expectations, landing in 7th despite having one of the strongest rosters on paper. With a top-four TPE average, the potential is clearly there, but consistent league performance continues to elude them. That said, this season wasn’t without its bright spots. Tokyo made a solid run in the cup, reaching the semifinals and showing glimpses of the team many expected to see all year. Their attack struggled with consistency, and the defense had its shaky moments, but the foundation remains strong. There’s still a lot to be optimistic about. With new management coming in at the end of the season and a major trade for star centerback Beaklie Eilish already secured, Tokyo could be poised for a rapid turnaround.
6th - Club Atlético Buenos Aires
- 6 Wins, 4 Draws, 8 Losses - 22 Points
Preseason Expectation: 6th
When I think of consistency, I think of CABA. They’re a team that is always guaranteed to finish at least mid-table and take a game or two off the title contenders. And while they weren’t as close to the title as they were last season, they were firmly in the battle for the “best of the rest” for the majority of the season. They finished exactly where I predicted, in 6th place, and continue to be one of the most stable teams in the league. That consistency may not grab headlines, but in a league where results can swing wildly from week to week, it’s something worth appreciating. With a few of the top teams beginning to show signs of decline, this could finally be the opportunity for CABA to break through and make a real push for the title.
5th - Athletice Clava Romana
- 9 Wins, 1 Draw, 8 Losses - 28 Points
Preseason Expectation: 7th
After finishing last in the previous season, Romana underwent a major shift with rookie manager Midknight stepping in to lead the team. His impact was undeniable, as Romana surged to 5th in the table and finished with 28 points, 25 more than their total last year. It was one of the most impressive single season improvements in the league and a clear sign that the team still had something left in the tank. However, questions now hang over their future. Midknight has announced he will be stepping down at the end of the season, and with several key members of the squad nearing the twilight of their careers, it’s unclear what direction the club will take. Romana proved they could climb, but staying there might be the real challenge.
4th - Hollywood Football Club
- 10 Wins, 3 Draws, 5 Losses - 31 Points
Preseason Expectation: 4th
Hollywood is a team that perplexes me because on paper they should be competing for the title every single season, yet something always seems to hold them back. They finished exactly where I expected them to, in 4th place, but it still feels like they haven’t fully lived up to their potential. That said, this season might mark a turning point. With both Reykjavik and Schwarzwälder beginning to regress, Hollywood is set to enter next season as the highest TPE team in the league. The gap hasn’t just closed, it has swung in their favor. For the first time in a while, they won’t be chasing the top teams from behind. If they are ever going to turn promise into silverware, next season might be their best shot in a while.
3rd - Schwarzwälder Fußballverein
- 12 Wins, 3 Draws, 3 Losses - 39 Points
Preseason Expectation: 3rd
And then there were 3. Schwarzwälder Fußballverein finished the season in 3rd place, exactly matching my preseason expectations. While they remained one of the league’s top teams, this season revealed signs of decline as their roster, one of the oldest in the league, began to regress noticeably. They fought hard throughout the campaign but ultimately could not keep pace with São Paulo and Reykjavik. Despite these challenges at the senior level, Schwarzwälder’s future looks promising thanks to a strong minors team filled with young talent ready to make the jump. If they can successfully integrate these rising players, they have a real opportunity to rebuild and challenge for the top spot again in the coming seasons.
2nd - União São Paulo
- 13 Wins, 3 Draws, 2 Losses - 42 Points
Preseason Expectation: 1st
União São Paulo’s season ended in heartbreak once again after leading the league for the entire campaign, only to slip up in the very last match and hand the title to Reykjavik. This marks the second season in a row that they have bottled it down the stretch, almost as if they have made it a habit. It is painful for their fans and frustrating for the team, but there is also a strange irony to how it keeps happening. Despite these setbacks, their young and hungry squad showed plenty of promise throughout the year. Their energy and determination kept them competitive right to the final match. The experience gained from back-to-back near misses will only strengthen their resolve. If they can learn from these disappointments and stay focused, União São Paulo looks poised to come back even stronger next season and finally claim the championship they so desperately want. But hey, at least they won the cup.
1st - Reykjavik United
- 13 Wins, 3 Draws, 2 Losses - 42 Points
Preseason Expectation: 2nd
Reykjavik United didn’t dominate the season, but they sure knew how to stay close enough to keep everyone on their toes until the very end. Despite my preseason expectations placing them second, they remained just within touching distance of the leaders throughout the campaign, waiting patiently for the perfect moment to take control. With a few aging players in the squad, Reykjavik’s management deserves credit for preparing younger talent to step up and fill those gaps seamlessly. Their smart planning and balanced roster allowed them to deliver when it mattered most. Congratulations to Reykjavik United on a hard fought and thoroughly deserved title.
Awards Predictions:
Managers of the Season: Athletice Clava Romana
As much as I would love to give União São Paulo this award for the third straight season, Romana’s turnaround was truly impressive. Midknight, Lemon, and Malino managed to bring everything together and guide the team to a very respectable 5th place finish. Their efforts make them deserving candidates for Managers of the Season.
Rookie of the Season: Benecio Aguilera III
Aguilera is a goalkeeper who has waited far too long to make his major league debut, but when he finally did, he made an immediate impact and quickly established himself as one of the top goalkeepers in the league. He finished the season with a league-high average rating of 7.3, even though his expected save percentage was 79.74%. Sounds like a Rookie of the Season to me.
MVP: Wang Zhihao
21 Goals, 5 Assists, 4 Player of the Match awards, need I say any more? Wang Zhihao dominated this season from beginning to end and is my MVP of the season.
10th - Club de Futbol Catalunya
- 2 Wins, 0 Draws, 16 Losses - 6 PointsPreseason Expectation: 8th
Normally, this is where I would talk about what went wrong and how Catalunya needs to make major changes, but not this time. As some of you may know, I am the president of the Expected Goals Enthusiasts Club (EGEC), and this season Catalunya were absolutely robbed by the xG gods. They scored 10 goals fewer than expected and conceded 23 more than the numbers predicted. Maybe there was some hidden meaning behind it, but I doubt Catalunya sees it that way. The silver lining is that their underwhelming season earned them the first overall pick, although that now belongs to Hollywood thanks to a trade made last season. Congratulations, Dom!
9th - Shanghai Dragons Football Club
- 2 Wins, 1 Draw, 15 Losses - 7 PointsPreseason Expectation: 10th
The first of our two expansion teams, Shanghai Dragons FC finished the season in 9th, one spot ahead of where I predicted. While the results were underwhelming, the team showed glimpses of potential, especially in a few closely fought matches. For a debut season, avoiding last place is a solid starting point to build from. With three first-round picks, including the 2nd and 3rd overall, I’m confident Manager North has a plan in motion to push Shanghai up the table. That is, of course, assuming their “star striker” Thomas Hohenhahn learns how to actually score.
8th - Club Deportivo Tenochtitlan
- 5 Wins, 2 Draws, 11 Losses - 17 PointsPreseason Expectation: 9th
The second of our two expansion teams, Tenochtitlan finishes in 8th, right above Shanghai, but the difference in points is much more telling than the standings. With a 10-point gap to Shanghai, I think it’s safe to say that CDT won this round, the score is officially 1–0. While still rough around the edges, they managed to grind out five wins and showed real flashes. There’s a real identity forming here, and if they can carry that momentum forward, they might just be a team to watch next season. Even their minor team impressed, finishing 5th (thank you) and showing that the pipeline of talent is already taking shape. Except for that Andre Caetano guy, I have no idea why he went 7th overall.
7th - Tokyo Sports Club
- 6 Wins, 4 Draws, 8 Losses - 22 Points Preseason Expectation: 5th
For the third season in a row, Tokyo finishes below my expectations, landing in 7th despite having one of the strongest rosters on paper. With a top-four TPE average, the potential is clearly there, but consistent league performance continues to elude them. That said, this season wasn’t without its bright spots. Tokyo made a solid run in the cup, reaching the semifinals and showing glimpses of the team many expected to see all year. Their attack struggled with consistency, and the defense had its shaky moments, but the foundation remains strong. There’s still a lot to be optimistic about. With new management coming in at the end of the season and a major trade for star centerback Beaklie Eilish already secured, Tokyo could be poised for a rapid turnaround.
6th - Club Atlético Buenos Aires
- 6 Wins, 4 Draws, 8 Losses - 22 Points Preseason Expectation: 6th
When I think of consistency, I think of CABA. They’re a team that is always guaranteed to finish at least mid-table and take a game or two off the title contenders. And while they weren’t as close to the title as they were last season, they were firmly in the battle for the “best of the rest” for the majority of the season. They finished exactly where I predicted, in 6th place, and continue to be one of the most stable teams in the league. That consistency may not grab headlines, but in a league where results can swing wildly from week to week, it’s something worth appreciating. With a few of the top teams beginning to show signs of decline, this could finally be the opportunity for CABA to break through and make a real push for the title.
5th - Athletice Clava Romana
- 9 Wins, 1 Draw, 8 Losses - 28 Points Preseason Expectation: 7th
After finishing last in the previous season, Romana underwent a major shift with rookie manager Midknight stepping in to lead the team. His impact was undeniable, as Romana surged to 5th in the table and finished with 28 points, 25 more than their total last year. It was one of the most impressive single season improvements in the league and a clear sign that the team still had something left in the tank. However, questions now hang over their future. Midknight has announced he will be stepping down at the end of the season, and with several key members of the squad nearing the twilight of their careers, it’s unclear what direction the club will take. Romana proved they could climb, but staying there might be the real challenge.
4th - Hollywood Football Club
- 10 Wins, 3 Draws, 5 Losses - 31 Points Preseason Expectation: 4th
Hollywood is a team that perplexes me because on paper they should be competing for the title every single season, yet something always seems to hold them back. They finished exactly where I expected them to, in 4th place, but it still feels like they haven’t fully lived up to their potential. That said, this season might mark a turning point. With both Reykjavik and Schwarzwälder beginning to regress, Hollywood is set to enter next season as the highest TPE team in the league. The gap hasn’t just closed, it has swung in their favor. For the first time in a while, they won’t be chasing the top teams from behind. If they are ever going to turn promise into silverware, next season might be their best shot in a while.
3rd - Schwarzwälder Fußballverein
- 12 Wins, 3 Draws, 3 Losses - 39 Points Preseason Expectation: 3rd
And then there were 3. Schwarzwälder Fußballverein finished the season in 3rd place, exactly matching my preseason expectations. While they remained one of the league’s top teams, this season revealed signs of decline as their roster, one of the oldest in the league, began to regress noticeably. They fought hard throughout the campaign but ultimately could not keep pace with São Paulo and Reykjavik. Despite these challenges at the senior level, Schwarzwälder’s future looks promising thanks to a strong minors team filled with young talent ready to make the jump. If they can successfully integrate these rising players, they have a real opportunity to rebuild and challenge for the top spot again in the coming seasons.
2nd - União São Paulo
- 13 Wins, 3 Draws, 2 Losses - 42 Points Preseason Expectation: 1st
União São Paulo’s season ended in heartbreak once again after leading the league for the entire campaign, only to slip up in the very last match and hand the title to Reykjavik. This marks the second season in a row that they have bottled it down the stretch, almost as if they have made it a habit. It is painful for their fans and frustrating for the team, but there is also a strange irony to how it keeps happening. Despite these setbacks, their young and hungry squad showed plenty of promise throughout the year. Their energy and determination kept them competitive right to the final match. The experience gained from back-to-back near misses will only strengthen their resolve. If they can learn from these disappointments and stay focused, União São Paulo looks poised to come back even stronger next season and finally claim the championship they so desperately want. But hey, at least they won the cup.
1st - Reykjavik United
- 13 Wins, 3 Draws, 2 Losses - 42 Points Preseason Expectation: 2nd
Reykjavik United didn’t dominate the season, but they sure knew how to stay close enough to keep everyone on their toes until the very end. Despite my preseason expectations placing them second, they remained just within touching distance of the leaders throughout the campaign, waiting patiently for the perfect moment to take control. With a few aging players in the squad, Reykjavik’s management deserves credit for preparing younger talent to step up and fill those gaps seamlessly. Their smart planning and balanced roster allowed them to deliver when it mattered most. Congratulations to Reykjavik United on a hard fought and thoroughly deserved title.
Awards Predictions:
Managers of the Season: Athletice Clava Romana
As much as I would love to give União São Paulo this award for the third straight season, Romana’s turnaround was truly impressive. Midknight, Lemon, and Malino managed to bring everything together and guide the team to a very respectable 5th place finish. Their efforts make them deserving candidates for Managers of the Season.
Rookie of the Season: Benecio Aguilera III
Aguilera is a goalkeeper who has waited far too long to make his major league debut, but when he finally did, he made an immediate impact and quickly established himself as one of the top goalkeepers in the league. He finished the season with a league-high average rating of 7.3, even though his expected save percentage was 79.74%. Sounds like a Rookie of the Season to me.
MVP: Wang Zhihao
21 Goals, 5 Assists, 4 Player of the Match awards, need I say any more? Wang Zhihao dominated this season from beginning to end and is my MVP of the season.
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