2025-11-09, 07:21 AM - Word count:
SSL Season 23 – Majors MD1 Part 1
The new SSL season is underway, and the first round of fixtures did not disappoint. For several clubs, this week marked a new beginning — new managers, new signings, and fresh ambitions after an eventful off-season. From dominant displays to debut heroics, Matchday 1 kicked off with plenty of talking points.
A.C. Romana 4–0 Xelajú Cósmico FC
Coliseo, Mata-Utu | Matchday 1, Season 23
All eyes were on Predrag Dobrić this week as the Serbian forward made his Major League debut for A.C. Romana following a high-profile transfer from SFV Montreal. With Romana spending heavily to secure his signature, the pressure was on to deliver, and he did just that.
Romana lined up in an attacking five-at-the-back system, similar to the one União São Paolo used so effectively last season. Xelajú Cósmico went for a bold 4-2-4, using a left midfielder instead of a winger to strengthen their defensive shape.
Last season, Romana endured a frustrating campaign, finishing 10th, while Xelajú impressed in their debut year by ending 8th. But from the opening whistle, it was clear the balance of power had shifted.
In the 15th minute, Stephan Lichsteiner broke the deadlock. After a corner was cleared back into his path, he met it first-time on the volley to make it 1–0 Romana.
Xelajú then found a bit of rhythm, creating some chances and closing the expected goals gap, but Romana’s efficiency soon showed. In the 42nd minute, Hippity Hoppity burst down the flank and whipped in a cross that Dobrić finished calmly for a debut goal. 2–0 Romana at half-time.
Right after the restart, Jesper Sjöman delivered a curling free-kick into the box, and once again Dobrić rose above the defenders to head home his second of the night. 3-0 Romana.
From there, Romana controlled the game. Xelajú had their moments but struggled to convert their chances. In the 86th minute, Black Leg Sanji found Ryan Van Eyndhoven on the edge of the area, and the midfielder drove a beautiful low strike into the far corner to seal the result. 4-0 Romana.
It finished 4–0 to A.C. Romana, a statement win that highlighted how vital clinical finishing is in the SSL. Romana scored four from 2.56 xG, while Xelajú’s 2.03 xG produced nothing.
Man of the Match: Predrag Dobrić – two goals on debut and an instant impact.
Hollywood FC 2–0 CF Catalunya
The PartyDome, Mata-Utu | Matchday 1, Season 23
Hollywood FC came into this one eager to make a statement after falling just short of the title last season. They set up with a familiar five-at-the-back system but replaced their usual left winger with an attacking midfielder to strengthen control through the centre. CF Catalunya stuck with a standard 4-2-3-1, looking to build from the back and hit on the counter.
It didn’t take long for Hollywood to strike. In the opening stages, Al Dia carried the ball through midfield and split the defence with a precise pass to Pete Martell. Martell’s first touch was heavy, allowing Aart de Trella to intervene, but the striker reacted quickest and buried the rebound into the far corner. 1–0 Hollywood.
The remainder of the first half was uneventful, with Hollywood creating half-chances but struggling to break down Catalunya’s compact shape. At the break, the score remained 1–0.
The second half was one-way traffic. Hollywood dominated both possession and territory, completing nearly 90 percent of their passes and maintaining constant pressure in Catalunya’s half. In the 69th minute, Nathan Cormier played a sharp pass to Evan Hunt, who squared the ball for Martell to finish, but the flag went up for offside and the goal was ruled out.
Their persistence paid off nine minutes later. Alexandros Mograine found himself in front of goal and unselfishly squared the ball across to Martell, who calmly slotted in his second of the evening. 2–0 Hollywood.
Hollywood ended with 13 shots to Catalunya’s 4, posting 2.29 expected goals against just 0.20 from their opponents. It was a comfortable and controlled display from a side that looked every bit like last season’s contenders.
Man of the Match: Pete Martell, two goals, tireless movement, and the difference-maker up front.
Liffeyside Celtic FC 3–1 Tokyo S.C.
The Mango Patch, Mata-Utu | Matchday 1, Season 23
Two of last season’s bottom sides faced off to open the new campaign, both eager to start fresh. Liffeyside Celtic lined up in a familiar 4-2-3-1, while Tokyo S.C. used an unusual offset 4-1-1-3-1 setup under their new tactician, Connor Reed. The rookie coach has been given responsibility for tactics across both Tokyo’s Major League and their Minor League affiliate, Cairo, and this was his first chance to make an impression.
Liffeyside started brightly, pressing high and forcing mistakes early. Their pressure paid off in the 10th minute when Takeda Takahashi threaded a perfect through ball to Carolien Miedema, who finished clinically past Dalton Canders II. 1–0 Liffeyside.
Tokyo responded quickly. Just minutes later, Anthony Lee’s deep free-kick found Charlie Chambers at the back post, and he headed it home to equalise. 1–1.
The match settled into an open rhythm, with Tokyo looking most dangerous from set pieces while Liffeyside created from open play. In the 43rd minute, Leandro Dybala surged down the wing and whipped a low cross to Miedema, who met it first-time to restore Liffeyside’s lead. 2–1.
Right before the break, Dybala’s corner caused chaos in the box. Miedema’s header dropped perfectly for Aleksandr Skovgaard, who smashed in a volley from close range. A well-taken goal to make it 3–1 Liffeyside at half-time.
Early in the second half Amore Delo brought down Andrés Pedrillo in the box, but after a VAR check the penalty was overturned. From then on, Liffeyside managed the game calmly, limiting Tokyo’s threat and keeping control. In the 83rd minute, Kika Bahl struck from distance and hit the post, inches away from adding a fourth.
It ended 3–1, a deserved win for Liffeyside, who looked sharper, more organised, and more clinical. They created 2.44 expected goals to Tokyo’s 1.01, showing a clear edge in quality.
Man of the Match: Carolien Miedema, two goals, one assist, and a commanding attacking display.
Summary
Matchday 1, Majors Part 1, delivered a mix of dominant wins and standout individual performances. Romana looked revitalised, Hollywood controlled their game with trademark composure, and Liffeyside’s new attacking shape paid off.
Man of the Matchday Part (MotMP): Carolien Miedema – two goals, one assist, and a complete attacking performance that lifted Liffeyside to a much-needed win.
The new SSL season is underway, and the first round of fixtures did not disappoint. For several clubs, this week marked a new beginning — new managers, new signings, and fresh ambitions after an eventful off-season. From dominant displays to debut heroics, Matchday 1 kicked off with plenty of talking points.
A.C. Romana 4–0 Xelajú Cósmico FC
Coliseo, Mata-Utu | Matchday 1, Season 23
All eyes were on Predrag Dobrić this week as the Serbian forward made his Major League debut for A.C. Romana following a high-profile transfer from SFV Montreal. With Romana spending heavily to secure his signature, the pressure was on to deliver, and he did just that.
Romana lined up in an attacking five-at-the-back system, similar to the one União São Paolo used so effectively last season. Xelajú Cósmico went for a bold 4-2-4, using a left midfielder instead of a winger to strengthen their defensive shape.
Last season, Romana endured a frustrating campaign, finishing 10th, while Xelajú impressed in their debut year by ending 8th. But from the opening whistle, it was clear the balance of power had shifted.
In the 15th minute, Stephan Lichsteiner broke the deadlock. After a corner was cleared back into his path, he met it first-time on the volley to make it 1–0 Romana.
Xelajú then found a bit of rhythm, creating some chances and closing the expected goals gap, but Romana’s efficiency soon showed. In the 42nd minute, Hippity Hoppity burst down the flank and whipped in a cross that Dobrić finished calmly for a debut goal. 2–0 Romana at half-time.
Right after the restart, Jesper Sjöman delivered a curling free-kick into the box, and once again Dobrić rose above the defenders to head home his second of the night. 3-0 Romana.
From there, Romana controlled the game. Xelajú had their moments but struggled to convert their chances. In the 86th minute, Black Leg Sanji found Ryan Van Eyndhoven on the edge of the area, and the midfielder drove a beautiful low strike into the far corner to seal the result. 4-0 Romana.
It finished 4–0 to A.C. Romana, a statement win that highlighted how vital clinical finishing is in the SSL. Romana scored four from 2.56 xG, while Xelajú’s 2.03 xG produced nothing.
Man of the Match: Predrag Dobrić – two goals on debut and an instant impact.
Hollywood FC 2–0 CF Catalunya
The PartyDome, Mata-Utu | Matchday 1, Season 23
Hollywood FC came into this one eager to make a statement after falling just short of the title last season. They set up with a familiar five-at-the-back system but replaced their usual left winger with an attacking midfielder to strengthen control through the centre. CF Catalunya stuck with a standard 4-2-3-1, looking to build from the back and hit on the counter.
It didn’t take long for Hollywood to strike. In the opening stages, Al Dia carried the ball through midfield and split the defence with a precise pass to Pete Martell. Martell’s first touch was heavy, allowing Aart de Trella to intervene, but the striker reacted quickest and buried the rebound into the far corner. 1–0 Hollywood.
The remainder of the first half was uneventful, with Hollywood creating half-chances but struggling to break down Catalunya’s compact shape. At the break, the score remained 1–0.
The second half was one-way traffic. Hollywood dominated both possession and territory, completing nearly 90 percent of their passes and maintaining constant pressure in Catalunya’s half. In the 69th minute, Nathan Cormier played a sharp pass to Evan Hunt, who squared the ball for Martell to finish, but the flag went up for offside and the goal was ruled out.
Their persistence paid off nine minutes later. Alexandros Mograine found himself in front of goal and unselfishly squared the ball across to Martell, who calmly slotted in his second of the evening. 2–0 Hollywood.
Hollywood ended with 13 shots to Catalunya’s 4, posting 2.29 expected goals against just 0.20 from their opponents. It was a comfortable and controlled display from a side that looked every bit like last season’s contenders.
Man of the Match: Pete Martell, two goals, tireless movement, and the difference-maker up front.
Liffeyside Celtic FC 3–1 Tokyo S.C.
The Mango Patch, Mata-Utu | Matchday 1, Season 23
Two of last season’s bottom sides faced off to open the new campaign, both eager to start fresh. Liffeyside Celtic lined up in a familiar 4-2-3-1, while Tokyo S.C. used an unusual offset 4-1-1-3-1 setup under their new tactician, Connor Reed. The rookie coach has been given responsibility for tactics across both Tokyo’s Major League and their Minor League affiliate, Cairo, and this was his first chance to make an impression.
Liffeyside started brightly, pressing high and forcing mistakes early. Their pressure paid off in the 10th minute when Takeda Takahashi threaded a perfect through ball to Carolien Miedema, who finished clinically past Dalton Canders II. 1–0 Liffeyside.
Tokyo responded quickly. Just minutes later, Anthony Lee’s deep free-kick found Charlie Chambers at the back post, and he headed it home to equalise. 1–1.
The match settled into an open rhythm, with Tokyo looking most dangerous from set pieces while Liffeyside created from open play. In the 43rd minute, Leandro Dybala surged down the wing and whipped a low cross to Miedema, who met it first-time to restore Liffeyside’s lead. 2–1.
Right before the break, Dybala’s corner caused chaos in the box. Miedema’s header dropped perfectly for Aleksandr Skovgaard, who smashed in a volley from close range. A well-taken goal to make it 3–1 Liffeyside at half-time.
Early in the second half Amore Delo brought down Andrés Pedrillo in the box, but after a VAR check the penalty was overturned. From then on, Liffeyside managed the game calmly, limiting Tokyo’s threat and keeping control. In the 83rd minute, Kika Bahl struck from distance and hit the post, inches away from adding a fourth.
It ended 3–1, a deserved win for Liffeyside, who looked sharper, more organised, and more clinical. They created 2.44 expected goals to Tokyo’s 1.01, showing a clear edge in quality.
Man of the Match: Carolien Miedema, two goals, one assist, and a commanding attacking display.
Summary
Matchday 1, Majors Part 1, delivered a mix of dominant wins and standout individual performances. Romana looked revitalised, Hollywood controlled their game with trademark composure, and Liffeyside’s new attacking shape paid off.
Man of the Matchday Part (MotMP): Carolien Miedema – two goals, one assist, and a complete attacking performance that lifted Liffeyside to a much-needed win.
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