SSL MacGuffin - S17

[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
S14
S15
S16

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

All Time Standings:
1) Reykjavik United  - 58
2) Tokyo S.C.  - 55
3) Hollywood FC  - 29
4) CA Buenos Aires  - 25
5) CF Catalunya  - 24
6) Inter London  - 19
7) Uniao Sao Paulo  - 16
8) A.C. Romana  - 15
9) Cairo City  - 13
10) Seoul MFC  - 12
T-11) Athenai F.C.  - 11
T-11) Schwarzwalder FV  - 11
13) North Shore United  - 9
14) Montreal United  - 7
T-15) AS Paris  - 4
T-15) F.C. Kaapstad  - 4

Last season's Minors run resulted in a pretty decent amount of movement among the lower MacGuffin ranks. Unfortunately for them, North Shore United took the MacGuffin with them when they were promoted to Majors coming into S17... or did they? Despite nearly running the table in the Minors last season, North Shore United remains in the Minors entering S17. I'll be honest, I have no idea why North Shore wasn't promoted, but this provides a unique opportunity for the Minors teams. For the first time in league history, the MacGuffin will start the season in the Minors. Can the Minors teams continue to hold onto the MacGuffin? Or will they cede it to the innately stronger Majors teams once Cup play rolls around? Let's dive in and find out!

---

S17

Season Start: North Shore United
Total Games Held: 1
Next Loss: Athenai F.C.

New Title Holder: Athenai F.C.
Total Games Held: 3
Next Loss: 3-4 vs Cairo City

New Title Holder: Cairo City
Total Games Held: 2
Next Loss: 0-4 vs CA Buenos Aires

New Title Holder: CA Buenos Aires
Total Games Held: 2
Next Loss: 2-3 @ CF Catalunya

New Title Holder: CF Catalunya
Total Games Held: 2
Next Loss: 1-4 @ Reykjavik United

New Title Holder: Reykjavik United
Total Games Held: 8
Next Loss: 0-1 @ A.C. Romana

New Title Holder: A.C. Romana  
Total Games Held: 2
N/A

End of Season

Season Standings:
1) Reykjavik United  - 8
2) Athenai F.C.  - 3
T-3) Cairo City  - 2
T-3) CA Buenos Aires  - 2
T-3) CF Catalunya  - 2
T-3) A.C. Romana  - 2
7) North Shore United  - 1

Well, that break from your regularly scheduled programming was brief. After snatching the MacGuffin away from the Majors last season and surprisingly holding it through the offseason for the first time in league history, the Minors' uprising ended with little more than a fizzle. North Shore United lost the MacGuffin immediately, it was passed around between a couple other Minors teams, then it went back to the Majors where Reykjavik United once again took it on a huge run. A few other teams got in on the action, but nothing substantial. Still, it is nice seeing some lower ranking teams with points. Never hurts to have some semblance of parity.

All Time Standings
1) Reykjavik United  - 66
2) Tokyo S.C.  - 55
3) Hollywood FC  - 29
4) CA Buenos Aires  - 27
5) CF Catalunya  - 26
6) Inter London  - 19
7) A.C. Romana  - 17 +1
8) Uniao Sao Paulo  - 16 -1
9) Cairo City  - 15
10)  Athenai F.C.  - 14 +1
11) Seoul MFC  - 12 -1
12) Schwarzwalder FV  - 11 -1
13) North Shore United  - 10
14) Montreal United  - 7
T-15) AS Paris  - 4
T-15) F.C. Kaapstad  - 4

The highlight for the all time rankings is that Reykjavik has now extended their lead to the point of functionally having a multi-season lead. True, it's technically possible for Tokyo S.C. to catch up in a single season, but such a run would be nearly unprecedented, especially right on the heels of a season that Reykjavik dominated so thoroughly and Tokyo didn't show up at all. We truly have a new king of the hill. Time will tell how long this reign lasts. Below them, the second tier of teams condensed slightly. There was also some movement in the middle ranks as A.C. Romana and Athenai F.C. both produced just strong enough seasons to move ahead in their tightly packed group. How long can the Majors fend off the Minors this time before an upset takes the MacGuffin back to the lesser heralded division? How long will Reykjavik United stay on top now that they've planted their flag? Will I eat anything today other than leftover pizza and cake from my younger son's birthday over the weekend (delicious homemade cake by my wife, btw)? Tune in next week to find out!