Liga Mundo Season 15

Liga Mundo Season 15 ran from August 30, 2012 to December 29, 2012.

After two seasons with 24 teams, the league expanded by one team to 25 when LTS joined as an expansion team on August 13, 2012.

Final Standings
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Primera Liga
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Statistics Leaders
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All-Star Team
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Segunda Liga
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Statistics Leaders
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All-Star Team
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Tercera Liga
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Statistics Leaders
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All-Star Team
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Retirements & Departures

 * Olegário Resende (Arcadia FC) F 35
 * Billy Hiscock (Dynamo Dorpat) MF 36
 * Lois Luis (Marseille FC) fullback, aged 35 - an original player with ALDM, Lois Luis - better known as LuLu - was regarded as simply the greatest player in Liga Mundo during the league's first dozen or so seasons. He played in 15 seasons until he was released on October 19, 2012. The league's MVP trophy was renamed in his honour the following day. Luis was the first player to reach 300 matches played. At the time of his departure, he led ALDM/Marseille FC in career matches (304), third in career points (117), fifth in career goals (36), and led in assists with 81. He was named to the Primera Liga all-star team 10 times and the Segunda Liga all-star team once. He lead the Primera Liga in X11 Team selections from Season 1 to Season 5 and then from Season 7 through Season 10. Injuries took their toll in Season 11 and his career began to wind down starting in Season 13. His final match was a 4-1 loss to Syracuse Salty Dogs on Octover 18, 2012.
 * Leon Hooiber (Transvaal Springboks) - fullback; age 34. This stay-at-home defender joined the team in the later half of Season 3 as the club's most expensive ($7,700,000) signing to date. Due to his strong leadership prowess on the field, Hooiber soon found himself named team captain the following season at age 23. Hooiber played his 100th game during Season 11 in the opening match of Copa Cato III on January 10, 2011. He led the Springboks as their captain for twelve and a half seasons until he opted for an early retirement mid-way through Season 15 and was released by the club on October 28, 2012. At the time of his retirement, he had played in 184 career matches for the club (tied for 4th place), scored 3 goals and had 24 points to his name. He was named to the X11 Team 17 times during his 13-season career. His final match was played on October 25, 2012 - a 5-3 loss to rivals VolNation Volunteers.
 * Hank Osbourne (Swamplandia Sinners) MF 34
 * Douglas Sparrow (Templar Forsworn) - forward, age 33. Released on October 11, 2012. He was 6th in all-time career matches played (115), 2nd in career points (63) and 1st in career goal-scoring (51) for Templar Forsworn.
 * Johnny Gilliam (VolNation Volunteers) D 35
 * Paulo Rosadilla (Debate Land Orators) F 35
 * Joaquín Bonilla (Dinamo FC) MF 34
 * Sixten Wiland (Guajolotes) D 34
 * Rodger Maddison (Nordheim Badgers FC) D 34
 * Martijn Geewijk (De Bushalte FC) D 34
 * Tommy Hoffman (RMI Armed Forces FC) - fullback, aged 35. He led all defenders on RMI Armed Forces FC in career matches played with 129. Hoffman was released on August 30, 2012.
 * Giorgio Ninzatti (The Fighting Sherms) D 37
 * Binijam Anuforo (The Fighting Sherms) M 36
 * Rúben Asno (Vanderbilt Commodores) GK 34
 * Naas Pienaar (Transvaal Springboks) - midfielder, aged 19. Pienaar played 21 matches in three seasons with the Springboks. He was sold for $5,000,016 on September 23, 2012.

Notable Transfers
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Coaching Awards
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League MVP
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All-Liga Mundo All-Star Team
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Career Milestones
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Manager of the Season
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First Round
Matches played on September 3 and September 10, 2012
 * Guajolotes defeated LTS (2-1; 5-0)
 * Marseille FC defeated RMI Armed Forces FC (2-1; 3-0)
 * Swamplandia Sinners defeated Estrella Roja (2-0; 3-0)
 * Firedog SC defeated Arcadia FC (4-1; 6-8 SO)
 * Ocean´s Gold defeated Vanderbilt Commodores (2-0; 6-0)
 * Dinamo FC defeated De Bushalte FC (1-0; 3-0)
 * Debate Land Orators defeated The Fighting Sherms (2-0; 1-0)
 * Nordheim Badgers FC defeated Bethlehem FC (1-1; 3-1)
 * Atlético Melloria defeated Clachnacuddin (3-0; 4-0)

Second Round
Matches played on September 17 and September 24, 2012
 * Atlético Melloria defeated Syracuse Salty Dogs (2-0; 0-0)
 * Connecticut Bomer FC defeated Nordheim Badgers FC (0-3; 5-0)
 * Transvaal Springboks defeated Debate Land Orators (2-0; 4-0)
 * Keville United FC defeated Dinamo FC (2-2; 2-0)
 * Ocean´s Gold defeated Templar Forsworn (1-0; 5-5)
 * Dynamo Dorpat defeated Firedog SC (2-0; 5-2)
 * Swamplandia Sinners defeated VolNation Volunteers (3-1; 0-1)
 * Guajolotes defeated Marseille FC (1-3; 4-1)

Quarter-Finals
Matches played on October 1 and October 8, 2012
 * Swamplandia Sinners defeated Connecticut Bomer FC (3-1; 1-2)
 * Dynamo Dorpat defeated Transvaal Springboks (6-1; 4-3)
 * Keville United FC defeated Ocean´s Gold (1-2; 2-0)
 * Guajolotes defeated Atlético Melloria (4-1; 1-0)

Semi-Finals
Matches played on October 15 and October 22, 2012
 * Guajolotes defeated Keville United FC (1-1; 2-0)
 * Swamplandia Sinners defeated Dynamo Dorpat (1-0; 4-1)

Copa Cato VIII Finals
Matches played on October 29 and November 5, 2012
 * Guajolotes defeated Swamplandia Sinners (2-2; 0-0)

Press Releases & Previews
SEPTEMBER 11, 2012 - Around the Liga: VolNation Volunteers

''This is the start of a new weekly league publication by the Liga Mundo communications department. Each week, we will interview a different manager with a set of stock questions and post the best answers. To get the ball rolling, we start with the most senior team in the league:''

VolNation Volunteers - Reichlep (Manager) This is a hard question to answer, as I currently am oscillating between the run of seasons 1-4 with 3 titles and 2 cups, and the current run starting in season 12, with 3 titles and 1 cup. The first run was a great achievement as we all started at the same level with new clubs, so being able to better fashion the club plus transfers into a winning club first against high quality managers is a huge achievement in my book. However, this last run, while not (yet) equal to the first in terms of collected hardware, clearly ranks up there near the top as few, if any, would have thought that a multi-title run was even possible with all the high-caliber teams that are in the Liga now. This achievement is the result of a highly successful rebuilding on the fly effort, and if we manage to pick up another piece of hardware this season, I'd have to rank this run as the greatest. Two times come to mind. The first was Season 7, where we tied with Swamplandia at the top of the table, but lost the tiebreak, and thus the title. The backstory was that we had been leading, but forgot to save my tactics in the second to last match of the season and got beat, bringing us into the tie. The other was the absymal showing of Season 10, where we ended 4th. The team looked promising on paper, but couldn't get it together for the entire first half of the season, and it looked like relegation might be a possibility until halfway through the second half. The only redeeming feature was that it forced us to make the decision to release Dustin Conner and Joey Lehmann, two very popular midfielders, but replace them with the Reichle brothers, who have been very instrumental in this latest run. Without a doubt, forward Ian Robertson. The guy is a workhorse and a machine. Most points and goals all-time for a VolNation player, and second on assists. Top scorer 5 seasons, Most points twice, most assists once (as a forward). Oh, and most of those titles came when the only predictable thing in the entire Liga was the tactic "Closely Mark Ian Robertson". He has not diminished with age, being one of the top scorers in the Liga last season. Before Cato's departure, it was clearly ALDM and The Rumble In The Jungle. Now, I'd have to say Transvaal and Swamplandia, with Dynamo Dorpat rising with a bullet. The storylines Basso vs. Detlef Botha, home field advantage, and all the high-scoring shootouts makes Transvaal the current best derby, while Swamplandia get the best rival with many seasons (especially the 7th and 11th, argh!) hinging on the outcome of the VolNation-Swamplandia match. Dorpat has a lot of potential, but we need some more consistent history before making that call. Speaking of history, Arcadia FC historically was always a major thorn, beating us at most inopportune times, but they have also fallen off as of late. Historically, Arcadia FC, for the reason above. (They were THE reason we didn't win Season 4). These days, many of the Primera teams "greatly concern" me: Transvaal, because of their scoring; Syracuse, because Marchionni can neutralize my entire offense; Dorpat, because they play "hungry" and believe they can beat anyone; Swamplandia, because they are so like VolNation and consistently great; and Connecticut Bomer FC, due to the taunting factor and the understanding that I am always facing a 1 million econ win bonus every time we play. Jury is out on Marseille FC; can AlaricZidane whip his team into shape the way Cato did? If so, then they will quickly make the list. Sorry, Cyphon, but Templar needs about 2-4 more great matches against VolNation to make the list. Hmmm.... Hard to answer. If I wanted the "Superstar", but didn't care about the fit of my club, I'd go with Alejo Moisés (D, Marseille FC), as a great defense allows our offense to roll. As a fit for my current club, I'd go with Montrel Gorka (GK, Guajolotes) or Bob Gayle (GK, Connecticut Bomer FC), as I'm looking for Christopher Rojas' replacement Winning more championships, of course :) Seriously, unless I can successfully patchwork two more defenders from the transfer market in to replace Moreno and Gilliam like I did with Giwa, our defense will be very exposed. Rojas will still be Rojas, the midfield will be very strong, and Townsend and Fäste might prove to be the next incarnation of Robertson and Goodwin, so we will be very strong and right in the hunt, but really, we are probably talking about a 3-4 season rebuilding window.
 * What is the greatest achievement this club had done under your management?
 * What has been the low-point for the club?
 * Who do you think is - or has been - the greatest player to play for the club?
 * Which team would you regard to be your biggest rivals/derby?
 * Which opponent team scares you the most on game day?
 * If you could have any player on an opposing team, who would it be - and why?
 * Where do you see this club in two seasons' times (i.e. Season 17)

SEPTEMBER 18, 2012 - Around the Liga: Transvaal Springboks

''This is a new weekly league publication by the Liga Mundo communications department. Each week, we will interview a different manager with a set of stock questions and post the best answers:''

Transvaal Springboks - Botha (Manager) That’s pretty easy – winning the championship in Season V. The team really struggled out of the starting gate and only barely escaped relegation after Season 2. There was a lot of roster flux going on during those early seasons and the team finished middle of the pack in the two seasons leading up to Season 5. I don’t think anyone expected us to dominate the first-place spot week in week out that season like we did. Because we were such an underdog, I think a few teams took us lightly in our early meetings and that helped solidify our position during the second-half rematches. Well there was the aforementioned relegation scare in Season 2 – where the folding of Hanslope Hornets was all that saved us from being dropped from the Primera Liga. But Season 12 was probably the worst campaign for us, as we had a team not much different than now, but plagued with injuries, shoddy form, a porous defense coupled with uncertain goalkeeping, and our veteran players were all having sub-par seasons and could not get focused as a group. Morale and training was terrible and I seriously thought we were heading down to the Segunda. It got so bad at one point that I had to come out of retirement and go in net in an attempt to stop the bleeding of goals. Thurston Alderton. Many people will look towards Detlef Botha, and in time he could surpass Alderton, but in my opinion Thurston during his prime carried this team like no other player has on our team. We won our title because of his exploits in net. Simple as that. That has recently been shaping up to be VolNation, mostly because of constantly close results over the years since Season 1 and the fact we are the only two original teams to have remained in the Primera since day one. Even when our team has been down and out, we still manage to step it up for the VolNation matches. However a strong case has to be made for Swamplandia too, as they have generally been a difficult opponent for us and league titles have been won and lost from our matches. We were one of the first clubs to give the Sinners any sort of respect in the Primera, namely because we were the first to see first-hand what they were capable of. Then of course, there is our traditional derby with Estrella Roja which harks back to the early days of this league and CNRP - but sadly, one that now only occurs once in a while now, during cup season. This may sound weird or surprising to many, but when they are in the Primera Liga, I’m going to say Guajolotes. They are team we have found unpredictable on the pitch and have constantly misjudged time and time again and have been burned severely for those mistakes. Before their recent slump, I would have said Arcadia FC. Of the Original teams, we always knew what to expect against VolNation and ALDM – but Arcadia FC was the toughest nut to crack. Wins against them were always hard-fought and relished as a consequence. We are definitely sniffing for the league title, but I am unsure we have the money on hand to make it a reality. Our veteran core is getting advanced in age, so we probably have two seasons with this roster posing a serious challenge before we need to start thinking about retirements and instituting a long-term rebuilding process. At that point, fending off relegation becomes more of a priority. Studious Lock. He has a skill set that would fit in perfectly with our playing system. Probably in a gradual rebuilding mode as the second generation of players start to retire and the third generation of Springboks begin to graduate into starting positions.
 * What is the greatest achievement this club had done under your management?
 * What has been the low-point for the club?
 * Who do you think is - or has been - the greatest player to play for the club?
 * Which team would you regard to be your biggest rivals/derby?
 * Which opponent team scares you the most on game day?
 * What is the club’s goal or focus for this season?
 * If you could have any player on an opposing team, who would it be - and why?
 * Where do you see this club in two seasons' times (i.e. Season 17)

SEPTEMBER 25, 2012 - Around the Liga: Arcadia FC

''This is a new weekly league publication by the Liga Mundo communications department. Each week, we will interview a different manager with a set of stock questions and post the best answers:''

Arcadia FC - Arcadian_Empire (Manager) Winning the Primera Liga in Season 6 was fantastic. League competitions are hard, and Arcadia FC has traditionally tried to do well in both the cup and league - and I know other teams like to try less in the cup, but it was really nice to finally win one! Getting demoted to the Segunda definitely. But on the plus side, we bounced back straight up into the Primera so that was good. Ooh that's a tough one. All the players are very even here, we don't have that 'number one star player' but... if I had to pick one, maybe Charlie Purser. He's been a stalwart in midfield since... well, ever. He -still- takes free kicks for us. VolNation, easily. I have lost count of how many times VolNation has been the foil to what would've been a great success. Who remembers that penalty shootout in season 6 in the Copa Del Mar Final? We could've had the double that year but... it wasn't to be. Oh, all of them! Everyone's been getting so much better - but still, whenever I face Transvaal Springboks, or VolNation or even ALDM - as the 'Old Guard' of the league, it's always a bit more tense due to the history we all have. Rebuild, stay in the Primera. Been a tumultuous time for Arcadia FC unfortunately... Oh that's easy, Ian Robertson from VolNation. We here at Arcadia never had the best attack, and if we had the one striker that could make something out of nothing - someone just so prolific in front of goal... well, yeah. In the Primera, maybe middle of the pack? Rebuilding, onwards to see how the next generation goes. We have some good youngsters in the team - would be interesting to see how they develop!
 * What is the greatest achievement this club had done under your management?
 * What has been the low-point for the club?
 * Who do you think is - or has been - the greatest player to play for the club?
 * Which team would you regard to be your biggest rivals/derby?
 * Which opponent team scares you the most on game day?
 * What is the club’s goal or focus for this season?
 * If you could have any player on an opposing team, who would it be - and why?
 * Where do you see this club in two seasons' times (i.e. Season 17)

OCTOBER 2, 2012 - Around the Liga: Marseille FC

''This is a new weekly league publication by the Liga Mundo communications department. Each week, we will interview a different manager with a set of stock questions and post the best answers:''

Marseille FC - AlaricZidane (Manager)

Atlético Luz Del Mar (Seasons 1-13)

So far, it has been getting promoted to Liga Mundo. Losing to VolNation last week. Defender Alejo Moises. Cyphon (Templar Forsworn). I want to say no-one but I guess I should say VolNation. Our goal is to stay in the top league. Michael Pitts from VolNation. Speed kills! Winning Liga Mundo, of course!
 * What is the greatest achievement this club had done under your management?
 * What has been the low-point for the club?
 * Who do you think is - or has been - the greatest player to play for the club?
 * Which team would you regard to be your biggest rivals/derby?
 * Which opponent team scares you the most on game day?
 * What is the club’s goal or focus for this season?
 * If you could have any player on an opposing team, who would it be - and why?
 * Where do you see this club in two seasons' times (i.e. Season 17)

OCTOBER 10, 2012 - Around the Liga: Estrella Roja

''This is a new weekly league publication by the Liga Mundo communications department. Each week, we will interview a different manager with a set of stock questions and post the best answers:''

Estrella Roja - Cataduanes (Manager) (Season 2 to present) Without question our début in season 2, the team won the Segunda Liga in some style with our main man upfront, Fernando Estrada, beating the Primera strikers and netting the golden boot, It was an achievement built by players like Basilio Tito, Adan Orozco, Eduardo Begoña and Hector Chema (the latter was a player whom ADLM and I think Transvaal hated with a passion in the early days). In a magnificent campaign we ended up losing only one game. Mind you our 4th place Primera finish in season 3 was also a proud moment and has proved to be the apex of our fortunes. Take your pick, the relegations have been tough to bear, going down from the Primera in season 6 was heartbreaking but the worst would be finishing dead last in season 11 a season in which Estrella Roja suffered the indignity of the wooden spoon award. While subsequent seasons have not exactly been ground breaking in terms of honours accrued anything was going to be better than season 11. But as I keep telling myself (and the team) at the start of every new season: The only way is up! Basilio Tito, he was so brilliant in Season 2 and was one of the main contributors to the successful push for promotion. And in subsequent seasons has been a tireless and consistent servant of the club. While his powers have waned since hitting the big Three-O he remains one of the clubs most loved players. The Transvaal Springboks would be the main historical one, our recent match up in the Cup was brilliant. ADLM were certainly considered a rival in the early days however that rivalry was not necessarily reciprocated by ADLM. But in terms of our current status I have come to see RMI Armed Forces FC as a respected rival, we have faced each other regularly since season 9, our tense race to secure third place in season 10 is vividly remembered. I really do hope RMI keep pushing forward and make it out of the Tercera this season. Down in the Tercera Firedog SC are on fire and look unbeatable at the moment. Also the Cup has always given us tough opponents like ADLM/Marseille FC, Swamplandia, the Boks and so on. Sadly the Red Stars have not reached the quarter-finals of the Cup since season 6. To finish as far away from the bottom of the Tercera as possible, its simple as that. RMI's Kyle Thorpe, great midfielder with an respectable record. And in the realms of pure fantasy I wouldn't mind VolNation Volunteers's Rudolf Fäste leading my attack! I think it is easy to work out why. No doubt still banging around in the midtable of the Tercera to be brutally honest. But despite the Red Stars decline I still enjoy the buzz of Liga Mundo, the drama of the Primera, the trial and tribulations in the Segunda and the sheer battle for survival within the Tercera.
 * What is the greatest achievement this club had done under your management?
 * What has been the low-point for the club?
 * Who do you think is - or has been - the greatest player to play for the club?
 * Which team would you regard to be your biggest rivals/derby?
 * Which opponent team scares you the most on game day?
 * What is the club’s goal or focus for this season?
 * If you could have any player on an opposing team, who would it be - and why?
 * Where do you see this club in two seasons' times (i.e. Season 17)

OCTOBER 16, 2012 - Around the Liga: Dynamo Dorpat

''This is a new weekly league publication by the Liga Mundo communications department. Each week, we will interview a different manager with a set of stock questions and post the best answers:''

Dynamo Dorpat

PREVIOUS LOCATIONS: Rivendell FC (Season 2 to Season 5); Dendarii FC (Season 5 to Season 6); Irlande (Season 6 to Season 7)

Manager: St6mm

My greatest achievement so far is probably the very first season as general when I took over poor Irlande. Totally bombarded to the mud. Everyone thought that in the next season Irlande will be in Tercera, but I had other ideas. I took team over exactly in the middle of the season, Irlande had in 8 games 0 victories, 2 draws and 6 losses. I basically made it all around in last 8 games 6 victories with 2 draws, we were reborn. I almost got the best manager title in the very first season in Liga Mundo. Future title as best manager in the league, that isn't so important because everyone knew that I am the best around here, it was just official recognition for bringing 6-bar team towards the top. Can't say that we have had any low-points, probably those unexpected home defeats to Syracuse Salty Dogs. Probably the biggest rivalry for me, maybe he doesn't know that we are rivals but his victories at my holy ground make me mad. There is no doubt, forward Bodo Kreuzer. 218 games / 170 goals, plus his different talents, he is the one most feared forwards in the league. I also have other great player, but Kreuzer has been here since the beginning, I'm just unhappy with previous managers' performance, that Kreuzer was so under skilled when I got him in compare with his age. Oh, there has been many, but most of them has gone mild. At the beginning I guess there was Nordreich rivalry with Nordheim Badgers, but after last season I can say that it is pretty much over since we both are in different tiers and our last games were so long time ago.
 * What is the greatest achievement this club had done under your management?
 * What has been the low-point for the club?
 * Who do you think is - or has been - the greatest player to play for the club?
 * Which team would you regard to be your biggest rivals/derby?

Second one and probably the most enjoyable was against Templar Forsworn. In last 4 matches I have won against him with ease. The last match where I destroyed Frosworn's main squad with 6-0 then I realized that this derby is over. This rivalry doesn't deserve to be under derby column, since for me it is disgraceful to defeat such handicapped team, or even play against them in the first part. Cyphon88 and Zemo should play with each other in Segunda.

Third one is probably against Transvaal Springboks, friendly Nordic rivalry which has lately grown out to be a very violent one. Results show many injuries and cards, which make unrespectful towards Botha because his game methods ruin my players and their forms. But this rivalry will be also shut down soon because after huge defeats against Dorpat, 'Boks is probably going for long term rebuilding. Maybe he is going to join with Zemo and Cyphon88 in Segunda.

Currently I'm throwing my gauntlet towards Pravus_Ingruo since I'm not willing to watch how he takes points in Tartu Dynamo stadium. Syracuse Salty Dogs, because their ability to generate magnificent defeats against great teams in away matches. VolNation and Marseille are currently better in the paper, but how long it is going to last? We will see. Depends on the upcoming league matches and other teams. Might be even the title run. In general I have no idea, I don't get lustful for other team players. Some what I feel that I need greater power for my midfield to take the titles, but I don't have anyone in the mind, maybe great players are too old. Michael Pitts probably. We are currently at least top3-4 team so slowly moving towards the very top. But still there is still someone who is more consistent with results. Promising battles are coming for the titles.
 * Which opponent team scares you the most on game day?
 * What is the club’s goal or focus for this season?
 * If you could have any player on an opposing team, who would it be - and why?
 * Where do you see this club in two seasons' times (i.e. Season 17)

OCTOBER 25, 2012 - Around the Liga: Swamplandia Sinners

''This is a new weekly league publication by the Liga Mundo communications department. Each week, we will interview a different manager with a set of stock questions and post the best answers:''

Swamplandia Sinners (Season 3 to present)

Manager: Mudbug

Finally breaking the glass ceiling of the big clubs and winning the league twice. Up until that time, I think it was basically just 3 or 4 clubs who always won the League. The early days in the lower leagues. I was wallowing around trying to get a grip on how to field a good team that would win and still get the youth players the development time necessary. Without a doubt, Rory Palin. He has phenomenal production numbers and is responsible for single-handedly dragging the club up from the lower levels of the Liga. Any team we play. Seriously, VolNation, Transvaal, and some of the newcomers are very good. Everybody. I want to win every game and with the unknowns in the game, no game is ever etched in stone for a win. Finishing strong. It looks like another mid-table finish for us this year in the Primera. We are just not getting the results and the production. However, we are pushing hard to make the finals of the Cup and things are looking good. I am finally making a concerted effort to get things right and bring home the first Cup win for the club. Not sure if I want any other team's players. Nobody else has a player of Palin's caliber. He's the best in the League! Ask me the question again 10 seconds after Palin retires. I'll be prepared to give you an answer then! I would like to see the club finally capturing their first cup win. It would look great next to the 2 championship trophies in the club lounge!
 * What is the greatest achievement this club had done under your management?
 * What has been the low-point for the club?
 * Who do you think is - or has been - the greatest player to play for the club?
 * Which team would you regard to be your biggest rivals/derby?
 * Which opponent team scares you the most on game day?
 * What is the club’s goal or focus for this season?
 * If you could have any player on an opposing team, who would it be - and why?
 * Where do you see this club in two seasons' times (i.e. Season 17)

OCTOBER 30, 2012 - Around the Liga: Guajolotes

''This is a new weekly league publication by the Liga Mundo communications department. Each week, we will interview a different manager with a set of stock questions and post the best answers. Due to non-response from the manager of Connecticut Bomer FC, this week's edition will feature Guajolotes:''

United Guajolotes Athletic Football Club Association Organization of the Greater New Kauai Security And Trade Region Inc.

PREVIOUS LOCATIONS: Compostela Artois (Season 5 to Season 8)

Manager: Runningcow

Winning Copa Cato V and second place in the Primera in season 12, followed by the second place double in season 13. Obviously Volnation is a tough nut to crack. Still, I'm immensely proud that we were so close to winning it all 2 seasons in a row. There aren't a lot of teams in Liga Mundo who can lay claim to that. As high a point as seasons 12 and 13 were, finishing last in the Primera in season 14 felt equally low. What made it worse was that there was no obvious reason I could point to for the sudden turnaround. Form wasn't good, but it wasn't terrible; there were no huge injuries; I didn't make any huge lineup or tactical changes. I just have to assume it was a fluke and try to keep the team on track going forward. For us, it comes down to two players. Rob Napier is the only superstar our team has had. He's the only one with the kind of name recognition to be the face of the team, and for the most part, he's lived up to the notoriety. Napier hasn't always been as consistent as he could be, but his achievements speak for themselves. He absolutely owned Tercera Liga in season 9, only giving up 2 goals in Liga matches all season. He finally bested Rojas for a spot on the all star team in season 13. It looks like he's starting to show his age, but you still can't have a conversation about the best goalkeepers in Liga Mundo without mentioning Napier, and that's a huge luxury to have as a manager.
 * What is the greatest achievement this club had done under your management?
 * What has been the low-point for the club?
 * Who do you think is - or has been - the greatest player to play for the club?

Hamilton Verger was a huge presence for us in the midfield for many seasons, despite never putting up the huge numbers some of the other top midfielders of Liga Mundo do. I could gush about Verger all day, but I'll just say as I've said before: without Verger, we don't get to the Primera 2 seasons after I take over. If you want to read more gushing, go find his retirement press release. This is another tough one to answer. Every time we've started to get a good rivalry going, it's been interrupted somehow. My first couple of seasons in Primera, I thought there might be a budding rivalry with the Badgers, but then we didn't play for a couple of seasons. It seemed like we might get one going with Volnation, but then we tanked in season 14 and dropped out of the Primera. After the last 2 weeks, maybe there's one brewing with Keville. Anyway, I'm afraid there will have to be a little more stability before we can claim any genuine rivals, let alone think about christening some kind of derby. Liga Mundo is full of scary teams, and there are very few weeks off. You have to work for success here, constantly. Still, the Vols are the scariest, far and away. They have a strong team on paper, but it's so much more than that. You can always count on being thrown something unexpected when you play them, which is the best weapon in the xpert11 arsenal, if you can manage to achieve it. As of this writing, winning the cup. I set out to make a deep cup run this season, and that's what we've done. I like where we're sitting, being tied going into the second leg of the final. A second cup title would go a long way to proving last season was indeed a fluke. Getting back to the Primera is also a prime focus for us. It's where we belong, without a doubt. If we can win another Segunda title on the way there, that's icing on the cake. Dwayne Snowden from Swamplandia. I like a midfielder you can build a team around, and he certainly fits the bill. Back in Primera Liga, gunning for the title. I don't know if we'll be back at the top that quickly, but if we're not promoted in 2 season's time something is wrong. The long term goal remains to win the league, and I think we've got it in us. Probably not in 2 seasons, but possibly within 5, give or take a few.
 * Which team would you regard to be your biggest rivals/derby?
 * Which opponent team scares you the most on game day?
 * What is the club’s goal or focus for this season?
 * If you could have any player on an opposing team, who would it be - and why?
 * Where do you see this club in two seasons' times (i.e. Season 17)

NOVEMBER 7, 2012 - Around the Liga: Syracuse Salty Dogs

''This is a new weekly league publication by the Liga Mundo communications department. Each week, we will interview a different manager with a set of stock questions and post the best answers:''

Syracuse Salty Dogs (Season 12 to present)

PREVIOUS LOCATIONS: Dun Carrig Bohs (Season 5 to Season 10); Pansy Prussians (Season 11)

Manager: Pravus_Ingruo

PREVIOUS CLUBS MANAGED: Redemptio Reds (Seasons 2 to 4); Redemptio Reds (Seasons 6 to 7); Roma Reds (Season 7); Syracuse Salty Dogs (Seasons 9 to 10)

I would have to say the greatest achievement was beating Dynamo Dorpat at home in the final round of Season 12 was the high point for me. We were in third, on the outside of promotion looking in, and were able to leapfrog to first with the win. Knocking Dorpat to third was just the icing on the cake. Winning the Copa Cato last season is a close second. I haven't had one with this team. Going to past teams, it still eats at me to this day about the Redemptio Reds. Real life got in the way that season and they finished dead last. Seeing that on the history pages pains me to this day. Hands down, Vito Marchionni. No one has come up bigger for this team in bigger situations. He is one of, if not the best, keeper in Liga Mundo (hint, hint). I'd say it's a three-way tie between VolNation, Dynamo, and Transvaal. Granted, I've only been at the helm of this team for four seasons, so I haven't had the time to build up too many rivalries, but those are the closest thing I have right now. VolNation. The level of dominance season-in and season-out is just scary. Transvaal scares me if I already have people injured and can't afford more injuries. Those dirty, dirty 'Boks. Originally, it was just not to be scraping to avoid relegation at the end of the season. Finishing six out of eight the past two seasons has been bad for my blood pressure. Now though... if I can somehow manage to reel in VolNation (get on that, rest of Primera) this team could be a serious title contender. I never thought I'd be in second at the halfway mark, but I'll certainly take it. Bodo Kreuzer. I know, it's odd because I have Dun Laoghaire who is the same skill level and four years younger. Kreuzer is a much better finisher. Dun Laoghaire will sometimes put six or seven shots on net during a match and not score a goal. If Kreuzer puts six or seven shots on net, he has a hat trick, every time. Still in Primera, hopefully competing for a season title. I know, that's boring. I guess I could say rolling over VolNation 5-0 both home and away and making Detlef Botha cry for his momma. Yeah, we'll go with the second answer.
 * What is the greatest achievement this club had done under your management?
 * What has been the low-point for the club?
 * Who do you think is - or has been - the greatest player to play for the club?
 * Which team would you regard to be your biggest rivals/derby?
 * Which opponent team scares you the most on game day?
 * What is the club’s goal or focus for this season?
 * If you could have any player on an opposing team, who would it be - and why?
 * Where do you see this club in two seasons' times (i.e. Season 17)

Team Pages

 * Arcadia FC
 * Estrella Roja
 * Guajolotes
 * Transvaal Springboks