2025-02-14, 01:31 PM - Word count:
With the preseason and SSL Shield concluded, and teams preparing for the first day of the season, anticipation is high for what will be a big season in the SSL. Last season came down to the final matchday, with Schwarzwälder FV taking the title and Reykjavik United falling short, missing out by one point. However, Reykjavik United didn't leave the season trophiless, as they were able to be crowned winners of the SSL Cup. With both teams expected to be powerhouses again this season, as well as other teams stepping up to hopefully challenge these two titans, season 19 is shaping up to be a thrilling ride.
Before diving into my predictions for this season, let's take a quick look at how the preseason went and what we learned from it.
Biggest Winners:
Reykjavik United: The defending SSL Cup champions showed out in the preseason, winning both matches in a dominant fashion by a combined score of 8-1. And while Sao Paolo isn't the strongest team, getting a good result against both them and the very solid Hollywood team is nothing to sneeze at. This Reykjavik team is out to prove that they will certainly be in the title race again, with very strong players and results from the preseason to back it up.
CF Catalunya: After finishing at the bottom of the table in season 18 and stocking up on talent in the draft, expectations were fairly low for this Catalunya team. But picking up two wins in the preseason is proof that this team will not be easy to beat during the season. Two hard fought defensive wins prove that this team's talent in defense will mean they are tough to score on, and one or two plays going the right way could swing some big results for Catalunya this season.
Biggest Dissapointment:
CA Buenos Aires: After finishing 3rd last season, Buenos Aires is surely hoping to build for another strong campaign, but losing both matches in the preseason raises some questions about a team that undoubtablyo has talent at its disposal. The biggest question marks will certainly be in defense after conceding 5 goals in two preseason matches. With Henrik Lind aging and Bérangère-Amandine Bruère-Estrangin still in the early stages of his career, this team might struggle to get results if they have to consistently score multiple goals to give themselves a chance.
Given the preseason and how it went, here's how I would stack up the teams in the SSL heading into season 19.
1. Reykjavik United
After just missing on the title last season, I think Reykjavik gets back to its previous winning ways this seaosn. Led by stars Alessandro Del Pirlo and Jean-Claude Goddamn, this team will be playing with a vengeance to get back on top. I think they will be tough to stop.
2. Schwarzwälder FV
Despite being the defending champions and arguably having a more talented team top to bottom than Reykjavik, I think Schwarzwälder will fall just short this season. Falling to Tokyo in the preseason in a match where they were unable to create any dangerous chances will create some questions about Schwarzwälder's tactics this season. I do think it will be a tight race like last season and I wouldn't be shocked if Schwarzwälder turned it around and went back-to-back.
3. Tokyo S.C.
Despite falling to Catalunya in the preseason, I think Tokyo has a case to be considered the "best of the rest" in the SSL this season, and maybe potentially be a challenger to the undisputed top two, which they proved by matching Schwarzwälder in the second friendly. If the finishing problems that clearly plagued them in the preseason, with 20 shots going off target between the two matches, this team could be a problem for the majority of the league.
4. Hollywood FC
Hollywood also has a case to be in the top three, and in my opinion is the last couple that could realistically, although very unlikely, challenge for a spot at the top.
5. CA Buenos Aires
Despite dissapointing in the preseason, I think Buenos Aires has enough talent to still avoid being in the bottom of the league this season. They will certainly have to improve their defense if they want to be taken seriously in the future as a team who could challenge for a title, but I could see this team getting a result or two against one of the top teams if they can match them scoring goals.
6. CF Catalunya
After finishing last season at the bottom of the standings, I think Catalunya will be on the upswing as they look to acquire young talent that can develop and hopefully lead them to the top in future seasons. The overall talent deficiency compared to the best teams in the league will I think hold them back from finishing higher than this, but after a strong showing in the preseason I feel good about Catalunya avoiding consecutive last place finishes.
7. União São Paulo
Like the other teams predicted to finish at the bottom of the table, São Paulo is clearly prioritizing youth. While that will hopefully help them in a few seasons, for now it leaves them lacking in top-end talent. A good result against Buenos Aires in the preseason shows they can be competitive this season, but I think they will struggle to consistently score goals relying on a player drafted only two season's ago in Julian Rubio, who will however be a star in the coming years.
8. A.C. Romana
Someone had to be last, and unfortunately for Romana I'm picking them. While this team has a few players talented enough to carry them to some decent results this season, Romana's underwhelming preseason has me doubtful that they'll be consistent enough to finish in the middle of the standings this season. The clear need is in attack, as Romana's four players above 1000 TPE are all defensive in nature, and they failed to score a goal in the preseason. Their defense could keep some matches close but the lack of attacking talent will raise questions about this team's ceiling.
Thanks for reading, and good luck to each team in the SSL this season! I can't wait to be proven wrong on every one of these picks!
Before diving into my predictions for this season, let's take a quick look at how the preseason went and what we learned from it.
Biggest Winners:
Reykjavik United: The defending SSL Cup champions showed out in the preseason, winning both matches in a dominant fashion by a combined score of 8-1. And while Sao Paolo isn't the strongest team, getting a good result against both them and the very solid Hollywood team is nothing to sneeze at. This Reykjavik team is out to prove that they will certainly be in the title race again, with very strong players and results from the preseason to back it up.
CF Catalunya: After finishing at the bottom of the table in season 18 and stocking up on talent in the draft, expectations were fairly low for this Catalunya team. But picking up two wins in the preseason is proof that this team will not be easy to beat during the season. Two hard fought defensive wins prove that this team's talent in defense will mean they are tough to score on, and one or two plays going the right way could swing some big results for Catalunya this season.
Biggest Dissapointment:
CA Buenos Aires: After finishing 3rd last season, Buenos Aires is surely hoping to build for another strong campaign, but losing both matches in the preseason raises some questions about a team that undoubtablyo has talent at its disposal. The biggest question marks will certainly be in defense after conceding 5 goals in two preseason matches. With Henrik Lind aging and Bérangère-Amandine Bruère-Estrangin still in the early stages of his career, this team might struggle to get results if they have to consistently score multiple goals to give themselves a chance.
Given the preseason and how it went, here's how I would stack up the teams in the SSL heading into season 19.
1. Reykjavik United
After just missing on the title last season, I think Reykjavik gets back to its previous winning ways this seaosn. Led by stars Alessandro Del Pirlo and Jean-Claude Goddamn, this team will be playing with a vengeance to get back on top. I think they will be tough to stop.
2. Schwarzwälder FV
Despite being the defending champions and arguably having a more talented team top to bottom than Reykjavik, I think Schwarzwälder will fall just short this season. Falling to Tokyo in the preseason in a match where they were unable to create any dangerous chances will create some questions about Schwarzwälder's tactics this season. I do think it will be a tight race like last season and I wouldn't be shocked if Schwarzwälder turned it around and went back-to-back.
3. Tokyo S.C.
Despite falling to Catalunya in the preseason, I think Tokyo has a case to be considered the "best of the rest" in the SSL this season, and maybe potentially be a challenger to the undisputed top two, which they proved by matching Schwarzwälder in the second friendly. If the finishing problems that clearly plagued them in the preseason, with 20 shots going off target between the two matches, this team could be a problem for the majority of the league.
4. Hollywood FC
Hollywood also has a case to be in the top three, and in my opinion is the last couple that could realistically, although very unlikely, challenge for a spot at the top.
5. CA Buenos Aires
Despite dissapointing in the preseason, I think Buenos Aires has enough talent to still avoid being in the bottom of the league this season. They will certainly have to improve their defense if they want to be taken seriously in the future as a team who could challenge for a title, but I could see this team getting a result or two against one of the top teams if they can match them scoring goals.
6. CF Catalunya
After finishing last season at the bottom of the standings, I think Catalunya will be on the upswing as they look to acquire young talent that can develop and hopefully lead them to the top in future seasons. The overall talent deficiency compared to the best teams in the league will I think hold them back from finishing higher than this, but after a strong showing in the preseason I feel good about Catalunya avoiding consecutive last place finishes.
7. União São Paulo
Like the other teams predicted to finish at the bottom of the table, São Paulo is clearly prioritizing youth. While that will hopefully help them in a few seasons, for now it leaves them lacking in top-end talent. A good result against Buenos Aires in the preseason shows they can be competitive this season, but I think they will struggle to consistently score goals relying on a player drafted only two season's ago in Julian Rubio, who will however be a star in the coming years.
8. A.C. Romana
Someone had to be last, and unfortunately for Romana I'm picking them. While this team has a few players talented enough to carry them to some decent results this season, Romana's underwhelming preseason has me doubtful that they'll be consistent enough to finish in the middle of the standings this season. The clear need is in attack, as Romana's four players above 1000 TPE are all defensive in nature, and they failed to score a goal in the preseason. Their defense could keep some matches close but the lack of attacking talent will raise questions about this team's ceiling.
Thanks for reading, and good luck to each team in the SSL this season! I can't wait to be proven wrong on every one of these picks!
