2025-03-29, 12:41 PM - Word count: 1735
And with that, Season 19 of the SSL comes to a close. This season has been full of nonstop action, and with a three-way title race that ended on the final matchday, we were always on the edge of our seats. From intense rivalries to underdog stories, every team had its moment in the spotlight. We witnessed remarkable performances that kept fans buzzing, while the drama of the final stretch left us holding our breath until the very last whistle. Now let’s dive into how each team measured up to the preseason predictions and see how their seasons ultimately unfolded.
Quick aside, these preseason predictions were based on testing and my own personal opinion, so they may not align with what you expected.
8th - Athletice Clava Romana
- 1 Wins, 0 Draws, 13 Losses - 3 Points
Preseason Expectation: 8th
It was a season to forget for this Romana team, who found themselves at the very bottom of the standings with only 1 win, which funnily enough prevented another team from winning the league title. After a promising third-place finish just two seasons ago, they experienced a dramatic fall, ending up in last place this season. With many of their key players aging and showing signs of decline, the team is now facing the reality of a major rebuild. Unfortunately, the timing couldn’t be worse. This season happens to coincide with league expansion, meaning the Romana team won't have the luxury of the first overall pick in the upcoming draft, which they would have had in an 8-team format. Instead, they will be picking third in a much larger 10-team draft, making it that much harder to bounce back immediately. With this challenge ahead, the road to rebuilding will be tough, but with new blood entering the organization anything is possible.
7th - Club de Futbol Catalunya
- 5 Wins, 0 Draws, 9 Losses - 15 Points
Preseason Expectation: 7th
Another team that lived up to my preseason predictions, Catalunya came into this season with a lot to prove after finishing last the previous year. However, they boasted a young roster and had made improvements across multiple areas of their team, which set the stage for a much better season. From the start, it was clear they were capable of competing for more wins, and they delivered on that promise. Their 7th-place finish, however, doesn’t truly reflect the successful strides they made this season. Catalunya’s young core showed plenty of potential, and while they may not have cracked the top ranks this year, their growth was evident. With continued development and smart decisions in the offseason, this team is on the right track. If they keep building on their foundation, it won’t be long before they’re contending with the league’s best.
6th - Hollywood Football Club
- 5 Wins, 3 Draws, 6 Losses - 18 Points
Preseason Expectation: 4th
On paper, Hollywood FC should be one of the top contenders for titles, but every season they seem to find themselves stuck in the midfield battle. This year was no different, with another season of disappointment and missed opportunities. Despite having a roster packed with talent, Hollywood couldn’t quite break through. Finishing 6th, just ahead of last season’s worst team, is not where they expected to be. It’s a far cry from their potential, and the frustration is palpable. However, despite the underwhelming performance, there is hope. With a squad as strong as theirs, it’s hard to imagine this pattern continuing for much longer. Hollywood has the right pieces in place, and with the proper adjustments, they have the potential to turn things around. The talent is there, and eventually, they will find the consistency needed to break into the top ranks. If they can capitalize on their strengths, Hollywood FC could soon emerge as a serious title contender.
5th - Tokyo Sports Club
- 7 Wins, 2 Draws, 5 Losses - 23 Points
Preseason Expectation: 3rd
If you had judged Tokyo’s season based on the first half, they would have been labeled the biggest disappointment in the league. Struggling near the bottom three, they looked completely out of the race and seemed destined for a forgettable campaign. But what followed was one of the most remarkable turnarounds I’ve ever seen. In the second half of the season, Tokyo flipped the script, going on an incredible run that took them from the bottom of the standings to within touching distance of the title. Their resilience and ability to fight back defined their season, proving they could compete with the best when it mattered most. Few teams have shown such dramatic improvement within a single season, and with many of their key players still in their prime, Tokyo will be looking to carry this momentum forward. If they can maintain this late-season form, they could go from underachievers to genuine title contenders next season.
4th - Club Atlético Buenos Aires
- 7 Wins, 2 Draws, 5 Losses - 23 Points
Preseason Expectation: 5th
CABA is the definition of consistency. In every season I have been in the league, and to be fair, that has not been many, they have always been the best of the rest. They have never quite reached the top, but they are always within reach, consistently on the verge of something bigger. This season, however, they took a major step forward. Much like Tokyo, they were not just fighting for midtable position, they were within touching distance of the title. It was the closest they have come in recent memory, proving they have the talent to compete at the highest level. Now, with a new manager, Aleris, taking charge and the BoD’s long-running stewardship finally coming to an end, CABA is in prime position to take the next step.
3rd - União São Paulo
- 7 Wins, 3 Draws, 4 Losses - 24 Points
Preseason Expectation: 6th
What a season for the Capybaras. For those who don’t know, the capybara is São Paulo’s official mascot, and this year, the team truly embodied its resilience. While some might view USP’s late-season collapse as a disappointment, the success of their overall campaign cannot be overstated. Just a few seasons ago, this was a team that won only a single game across three seasons and conceded 100 goals in Season 17. Now, they have transformed into a legitimate title contender, leading the league for the majority of the season. Their turnaround has been nothing short of remarkable. At the start of the season, I predicted they would once again finish 6th, but they shattered expectations with an exceptional performance. With such a young and talented roster, São Paulo is in a prime position to become one of the league’s newest powerhouses, much like the two teams that finished above them. If they continue on this trajectory, a title could be in their near future.
2nd - Schwarzwälder Fußballverein
- 7 Wins, 5 Draws, 2 Losses - 26 Points
Preseason Expectation: 1st
Once again, we arrive at our top two teams, and this time SFV is the one that falls just short. While their overall point total was lower than last season, the SSL was significantly more competitive this year, making it difficult to see any real drop in their quality. They remained a dominant force throughout the campaign and proved once again that they belong among the league’s elite. However, in the end, the title race came down to a decisive match on the final matchday, which SFV ultimately lost. That single result was the difference between winning it all and finishing as runners-up. Despite this disappointment, SFV still has plenty of reasons to be optimistic. Some of their key players are beginning to show signs of regression, but their core remains strong enough to compete at the highest level for a few more seasons. If they can make the right adjustments and reinforce their squad, they will remain a top contender for seasons to come.
1st - Reykjavik United
- 8 Wins, 3 Draws, 3 Losses - 27 Points
Preseason Expectation: 2nd
Finally, we have our champions, Reykjavik United. Midway through the season, many might have written them off, thinking their title challenge was over. However, they mounted an impressive second-half surge that carried them to the championship, clinching the title on the final matchday. It was yet another great season for an all-time great team, reaffirming their place among the league’s elite. What makes Reykjavik United even more dangerous moving forward is their focus on the future. They’ve started to bring in younger talent from their minor team North Shore, a model that the new expansion teams should follow if they want to build for long-term success. With their winning mentality and smart roster moves, Reykjavik United is poised to continue their dominance in the league. Congratulations to them on another fantastic season and a well-deserved championship.
Award Predictions
Managers of the Season: União São Paulo
For the second consecutive season, São Paulo’s management team takes home the Manager of the Season award. Winning this honor twice in a row might seem impossible, but the growth of USP makes it undeniable. Pyro, Kahri, and Jason have done an outstanding job, and their leadership deserves to be recognized once again. Their ability to guide the team to success and continuously improve has been remarkable, earning them this well-deserved recognition.
Rookie of the Season: Santos Neymarinho
I’ll be honest, I’m not completely sure if Neymarinho is technically a rookie, but I’m about 56% sure he is, so we’ll go ahead and give him the award. Neymarinho had a fantastic first season with the champions, Reykjavik United, where he scored 4 goals, recorded 2 assists, and averaged a 7.17 rating. It was a strong debut season and I’m sure the reigning champions are elated to have Neymarinho for the future.
MVP: Furious Chicken
Dread it, run from it, Furious Chicken arrives all the same. Honestly, what can’t Chicken do? He wrapped up the season with 8 goals, 12 assists, and a league-leading 7.81 average rating. It was truly a phenomenal season for a phenomenal player, showcasing his exceptional talent and consistency throughout the year. Chicken is the definition of an MVP and easily deserves this award.
Quick aside, these preseason predictions were based on testing and my own personal opinion, so they may not align with what you expected.
8th - Athletice Clava Romana
- 1 Wins, 0 Draws, 13 Losses - 3 Points Preseason Expectation: 8th
It was a season to forget for this Romana team, who found themselves at the very bottom of the standings with only 1 win, which funnily enough prevented another team from winning the league title. After a promising third-place finish just two seasons ago, they experienced a dramatic fall, ending up in last place this season. With many of their key players aging and showing signs of decline, the team is now facing the reality of a major rebuild. Unfortunately, the timing couldn’t be worse. This season happens to coincide with league expansion, meaning the Romana team won't have the luxury of the first overall pick in the upcoming draft, which they would have had in an 8-team format. Instead, they will be picking third in a much larger 10-team draft, making it that much harder to bounce back immediately. With this challenge ahead, the road to rebuilding will be tough, but with new blood entering the organization anything is possible.
7th - Club de Futbol Catalunya
- 5 Wins, 0 Draws, 9 Losses - 15 Points Preseason Expectation: 7th
Another team that lived up to my preseason predictions, Catalunya came into this season with a lot to prove after finishing last the previous year. However, they boasted a young roster and had made improvements across multiple areas of their team, which set the stage for a much better season. From the start, it was clear they were capable of competing for more wins, and they delivered on that promise. Their 7th-place finish, however, doesn’t truly reflect the successful strides they made this season. Catalunya’s young core showed plenty of potential, and while they may not have cracked the top ranks this year, their growth was evident. With continued development and smart decisions in the offseason, this team is on the right track. If they keep building on their foundation, it won’t be long before they’re contending with the league’s best.
6th - Hollywood Football Club
- 5 Wins, 3 Draws, 6 Losses - 18 Points Preseason Expectation: 4th
On paper, Hollywood FC should be one of the top contenders for titles, but every season they seem to find themselves stuck in the midfield battle. This year was no different, with another season of disappointment and missed opportunities. Despite having a roster packed with talent, Hollywood couldn’t quite break through. Finishing 6th, just ahead of last season’s worst team, is not where they expected to be. It’s a far cry from their potential, and the frustration is palpable. However, despite the underwhelming performance, there is hope. With a squad as strong as theirs, it’s hard to imagine this pattern continuing for much longer. Hollywood has the right pieces in place, and with the proper adjustments, they have the potential to turn things around. The talent is there, and eventually, they will find the consistency needed to break into the top ranks. If they can capitalize on their strengths, Hollywood FC could soon emerge as a serious title contender.
5th - Tokyo Sports Club
- 7 Wins, 2 Draws, 5 Losses - 23 Points Preseason Expectation: 3rd
If you had judged Tokyo’s season based on the first half, they would have been labeled the biggest disappointment in the league. Struggling near the bottom three, they looked completely out of the race and seemed destined for a forgettable campaign. But what followed was one of the most remarkable turnarounds I’ve ever seen. In the second half of the season, Tokyo flipped the script, going on an incredible run that took them from the bottom of the standings to within touching distance of the title. Their resilience and ability to fight back defined their season, proving they could compete with the best when it mattered most. Few teams have shown such dramatic improvement within a single season, and with many of their key players still in their prime, Tokyo will be looking to carry this momentum forward. If they can maintain this late-season form, they could go from underachievers to genuine title contenders next season.
4th - Club Atlético Buenos Aires
- 7 Wins, 2 Draws, 5 Losses - 23 Points Preseason Expectation: 5th
CABA is the definition of consistency. In every season I have been in the league, and to be fair, that has not been many, they have always been the best of the rest. They have never quite reached the top, but they are always within reach, consistently on the verge of something bigger. This season, however, they took a major step forward. Much like Tokyo, they were not just fighting for midtable position, they were within touching distance of the title. It was the closest they have come in recent memory, proving they have the talent to compete at the highest level. Now, with a new manager, Aleris, taking charge and the BoD’s long-running stewardship finally coming to an end, CABA is in prime position to take the next step.
3rd - União São Paulo
- 7 Wins, 3 Draws, 4 Losses - 24 Points Preseason Expectation: 6th
What a season for the Capybaras. For those who don’t know, the capybara is São Paulo’s official mascot, and this year, the team truly embodied its resilience. While some might view USP’s late-season collapse as a disappointment, the success of their overall campaign cannot be overstated. Just a few seasons ago, this was a team that won only a single game across three seasons and conceded 100 goals in Season 17. Now, they have transformed into a legitimate title contender, leading the league for the majority of the season. Their turnaround has been nothing short of remarkable. At the start of the season, I predicted they would once again finish 6th, but they shattered expectations with an exceptional performance. With such a young and talented roster, São Paulo is in a prime position to become one of the league’s newest powerhouses, much like the two teams that finished above them. If they continue on this trajectory, a title could be in their near future.
2nd - Schwarzwälder Fußballverein
- 7 Wins, 5 Draws, 2 Losses - 26 Points Preseason Expectation: 1st
Once again, we arrive at our top two teams, and this time SFV is the one that falls just short. While their overall point total was lower than last season, the SSL was significantly more competitive this year, making it difficult to see any real drop in their quality. They remained a dominant force throughout the campaign and proved once again that they belong among the league’s elite. However, in the end, the title race came down to a decisive match on the final matchday, which SFV ultimately lost. That single result was the difference between winning it all and finishing as runners-up. Despite this disappointment, SFV still has plenty of reasons to be optimistic. Some of their key players are beginning to show signs of regression, but their core remains strong enough to compete at the highest level for a few more seasons. If they can make the right adjustments and reinforce their squad, they will remain a top contender for seasons to come.
1st - Reykjavik United
- 8 Wins, 3 Draws, 3 Losses - 27 Points Preseason Expectation: 2nd
Finally, we have our champions, Reykjavik United. Midway through the season, many might have written them off, thinking their title challenge was over. However, they mounted an impressive second-half surge that carried them to the championship, clinching the title on the final matchday. It was yet another great season for an all-time great team, reaffirming their place among the league’s elite. What makes Reykjavik United even more dangerous moving forward is their focus on the future. They’ve started to bring in younger talent from their minor team North Shore, a model that the new expansion teams should follow if they want to build for long-term success. With their winning mentality and smart roster moves, Reykjavik United is poised to continue their dominance in the league. Congratulations to them on another fantastic season and a well-deserved championship.
Award Predictions
Managers of the Season: União São Paulo
For the second consecutive season, São Paulo’s management team takes home the Manager of the Season award. Winning this honor twice in a row might seem impossible, but the growth of USP makes it undeniable. Pyro, Kahri, and Jason have done an outstanding job, and their leadership deserves to be recognized once again. Their ability to guide the team to success and continuously improve has been remarkable, earning them this well-deserved recognition.
Rookie of the Season: Santos Neymarinho
I’ll be honest, I’m not completely sure if Neymarinho is technically a rookie, but I’m about 56% sure he is, so we’ll go ahead and give him the award. Neymarinho had a fantastic first season with the champions, Reykjavik United, where he scored 4 goals, recorded 2 assists, and averaged a 7.17 rating. It was a strong debut season and I’m sure the reigning champions are elated to have Neymarinho for the future.
MVP: Furious Chicken
Dread it, run from it, Furious Chicken arrives all the same. Honestly, what can’t Chicken do? He wrapped up the season with 8 goals, 12 assists, and a league-leading 7.81 average rating. It was truly a phenomenal season for a phenomenal player, showcasing his exceptional talent and consistency throughout the year. Chicken is the definition of an MVP and easily deserves this award.
![[Image: USP-Julian-Card.jpg]](https://i.ibb.co/Bn3WJtX/USP-Julian-Card.jpg)
