[FM24] Hexagon Hijinks: Victor Oanase's Global Champions League Quest - Halfway House - Three Done, Three Left

[KibworthBull]

1 hour ago, Vakama2619 said:

What file is this, FC Edmonton were replaced with Vancouver FC irl

FM23 timo mega pack most likely

[Vakama2619]

1 hour ago, KibworthBull said:

FM23 timo mega pack most likely

Is this an FM23 port, might be a base game thing then

[Vakama2619]

Although for those who prefer realism Timo's files have been proven to not be the most realistic

[KibworthBull]

May 2050

May starts busy and then we get a good break.

4 games in the first 11 days and then diddly-squat for a fortnight.

Carlos Fernández does the business - a goal to go with his MoTM last month, and we've got a nation. No.113

The bitter sting of defeat is not something we've experienced this season, until the Derby against Atlantic Ottawa - they won the league last year. They looked better than us.

A draw against bottom-side FC Edmonton is not the full response we needed.

The Pacific FC game was momentous for Raul Cruz as he retired from the playing staff. He has agreed to join the Coaching set up and I hope it's a long journey by my side.

We sit nicely in the play-off spots. Doing better than expected.

At the end of the transfer window, I bought in Santiago Mancini from Pacific FC for £2.2k - he's at his peak, he's Uruguyan, so an unticked nation. He'll cover a gap in the squad.

A 26 man squad has been picked for the World Cup. Enock Shakil will retire when we are knocked out. 3 new names, Olivier Menga, Right Back/Centre Half, 16, is possibly one of the brightest sparks we've seen in a while - a long way from being ready but we need some players like him, Anthony Okwi is a Striker with 2 in 35 professional appearances, he's also 22 but we don't really have many options, and Simon Ssali is a 23 year old Centre Half with 2 professional appearances to his name - remember what I just said about options. 

 

[KibworthBull]

June 2050

Everything happens in June.

League Games AND a World Cup.

Back to winning ways thanks to a superb showing from Carlos Alverez and it was back-to-back before the World Cup starts with victory at Valour.

I'll cover the World Cup further below, but the Canadian campaign continued against HFX (or Halifax for those who can spell)

We stormed into a 2 goal lead but within 60 seconds it was Desmond. But we've got some balls in this squad, and a Kurt Chamberlain double gave us the points

Our ability not to beat Edmonton is proving frustrating, but we did manage to get one over Ottawa - our American gem Andrew Chamberlain scoring a double

Our Cayman Islander has finished the month well - two penalties but Chamberlain of the A variety outshone him,

A very good month

We sit clear at the top but the pack has games in hand

We started the World Cup at home - kind of - against Italy

Parked the bus, slowed it down and generally out Italy the Italians.

Japan got destroyed by Italy, which meant if we avoided defeat then we would get out of the group.

We crash out.

 

[KibworthBull]

July 2050

We seem to play Forge early most months - there's only 8 teams in Canada so you do play each other a lot. Santiago Mancini picks up the MoTM award which is always good when a Centre Back does it - he needs a goal to tick off a Nation. He's never scored in his career to date, so maybe a little bit of penalty action is required.

Another draw, this time against Pacific - hard to play against an entire Ocean. Ricardo Salvatierra stemmed the tide...

We continue to draw, which is great from an unbeaten point of view, but it's one win in five now.

We should make the play-offs. 9 more games left.

What we need is a very good striker. Bolivia should get ticked off fairly soon. We've also added Brian Bell to the squad. Not that he will feature much.

To facilitate the moves, captain Mohammed Mgunda has moved to Valour - he had a total of 38 minutes on the pitch this season. 

 

Edited February 6 by KibworthBull

[KibworthBull]

August 2050

Canada has a cup. The Canadian Championship. Basically it's the Canadian Premier League teams, plus the Canadian sides playing in the MLS.

You'll never guess.. a draw in the first leg against FC Edmonton.

We managed to end the drawing run against Ottawa. A nice L to add to the collection. They are the only side to beat us this season.

We finally beat Edmonton. AND we tick off a nation - Santiago Mancini scores a header in the fourth minute and Uruguay becomes nation #114

It was game 999 of my professional career.

The same opponent was game no.1000

Jorge Torrico gives me something to celebrate - he gets a double and it's nation #115 and Bolivia done.

He also gets a double in the last game of the month as international call-ups mean we can only field 3 subs.

A couple or three points needed for the Play-Offs.

We go again (next month) with the African Cup of Nations - Eq Guinea and Egypt in the group. It's basically the World Cup squad without the retiree.

[KibworthBull]

September 2050

We start the month on cloud 9. Eq Guinea is pulverised. Anthony Okwi gets a 10/10 for his display. Geoffrey Matovu gets a double. Neither plays regularly for their mid-table Ugandan side but they are key prospects for the national side.

We've beaten Egypt before and it's at home, so our best chance to do it again.

Nope. Most of the stats show it as an even game, apart from the score.

We then went domestic, and back to draws.

The point at Valour secured our place in the play-offs, before a win against HFX meant we could focus on the Quarters of the Canadian Championship.

A draw in the home tie does us no favours, I'm trying to get our Cayman Islander to tick off the nation, but it's proving tough.

Injuries are proving a headache, so Brian Bell is forced to play in the 2nd leg - in true Bell style - he scores.

The Pacific game is one of those where if it was 0-5, 5-0, or 5-5 then everyone would have taken that. 3-3 it ended.

Before we face our first "Continental" opponent - technically - a Canadian side that play in the MLS.

We played with ten men for 80 minutes as Carlos Fernández was sent off. No disgrace and we are still in the contest.

All but secured a top two finish

[KibworthBull]

October 2050

The last month of the regular Canadian season.

Craig Heard scores and then injures himself in the opening 6 minutes in the Forge victory.

I don't think anyone expected an 11-goal thriller against Montreal. Losing out 6-5 is hard to take but we were depleted by injuries and suspensions. A bright spark with Academy Graduate Scott Appleby making his debut

Victory over Edmonton gives us 1st place BUT that is not the trophy. It's the winner of the Play-Offs that matter.

The regular season ends at Ottawa. Our nearest rival. A crazy 3-3 draw. Łukasz Brzozowski getting a double.

We may well meet them again in the final

I celebrated the full-time whistle with great abandon as Forge beat Ottawa - it was only then I realised we had another leg to go...

We went behind but managed to turn it around and Forge did the same, Ottawa are out and we have the easier final.

Jorge Torrico with a double and we are off and running in Canada.

Final Table:

Brian Bell becomes part of my Scouting staff - 157 games and 104 goals across 2 clubs, and we signed him in Panama as well but we left before he arrived.

And also the AFCON qualifiers.

The positive is that we will get the Egypt games out of the way

 But before the Pyramids, Gabon. 104th in the world, so we should win. Luwagga Bongole (a late call up for Matovu) makes his debut, but it's the old guard that see us home.

Egypt put 11 past Eq Guinea. But only 3 past us

Gabon have to beat Egypt and then we go head to head in the final game. And they would need to better a 2-0 win.

[KibworthBull]

March 2051

We are back, and it's AFCON time, there are quite a few players without a cap in the squad. Menga is a bit of a talent, Mugume as well could be a regular in the future.

• Baden Bongole - Left Wing Back, 26
• Duncan Nkuubi - Centre Back, 26
• Simon Ssali - Centre Back, 23
• Olivier Menga - Right Back, Centre Back, 17
• Deus Mugume - Left Back, 17

The big one is the Gabon game. 

Eq Guinea proved a better contest than the last time and Gabon lost to Egypt so we are 3 points clear of them and have a +15 goal difference on them.

Ultimately, we were too strong for them and we have AFCON to look forward too in a few months.

[KibworthBull]

April 2051

We've levelled up. 

After winning the Canadian Premier League last year, the boys were told that we would need to improve if we would give the NACL a good go.

So we've recruited. I think fairly well -  but you don't judge a pudding before you've eaten it.

Gareth Chamberlain is Canada's 3rd choice keeper - a 32-year-old with 28 league games on his CV - he is always the bridesmaid. He'll be the first-choice keeper and a massive improvement in Bob Croft - Croftie will always win you this league, but he's not good enough to win you the BIG continental ones. Chamberlain probably isn't either, but he's a local boy so no FGN concerns.

Daniel Vazquez (Mexico) and Juan Fernando Pena (Colombia) are wide players who should tick off some missing nations. They also have the benefit of adding strength to the squad. Both are bench warmers rather than first choice.

Valter Muchanga is from Mozambique (a nation already got) but he has the priceless 2nd nationality of Canada and is a superb AMC. Levelled Up

Milos Dunderski is a Canadian DMC and is abosulely a Levelled Up.

We've also Levelled Up our Affiliate side, and possibly strengthened our biggest rival - Kurt Chamberlain has found himself third choice AMC and wasn't going to get registered.

We started in a sluggish way against Valour but managed to power through with the new recruits doing the stuff. Nothing ticked off but still a good start.

Valter Muchanga was released by Forge 3 months ago. He scored 4 times the first time he went back there. And he loved every second.

Scott Appleby is only 16 but is making the Right Back slot his own right now - his first two club goals help beat Edmonton.

More good FGN news - Santiago Mancini is no longer treated as such - he's been in Canada for 3 years now.

His slot has been taken by Sean Davis, an American Centre Half - again, Levelling Up.

Setting the early pace

[KibworthBull]

May 2051

Cavalry was a poor game. Made worse by the loss of Andrew Chamberlain for the next month due to injury.

HFX Wanderers result looks brilliant - until you see that 3 of the goals were late. Still a decent bounce back from the draw

Valter Muchanga is a bit of a cheat code for this league. In 7 games he's scored the amount of goals he scored for Forge, in 67. What were they doing with him!

A great month again

Comfortable

In the AFCON'51 draw - it's traditional, can we sneak 3rd?

[KibworthBull]

June 2051

Transfer window has closed, we levelled up with a Centre Back, Ivo Tivane, on loan from Forge for the season - he's Mozambique/Canadian. Out goes Souleymane Kanté to Ivory Coast for a small fee.

Jorge Torrico gets a couple and a busy month is off and running.

More Magical Muchanga as Edmonto are shown the door.

A great day for Mexico, as Daniel Vázquez gets the MoTM against Pacific - he's not been great so pleased to send him back at the earliest opportunity.

It's an equally a great day for Colombian Juan Fernando Peña as we get the 2nd nation of the month, and our 116th overall. The 7-3 win over HFX is a club record for goals in a game. 

We have a considerable lead at the top

Our AFCON squad - we are without 2 players as they have been called up for an U23 friendly - that takes priority, although no idea why.

The friendly win over Niger was comfortable. Debuts for Duncan Nkuubi, Deus Mugume, and Ibrahim Ssemakula. That's the most debutants of my reign.

The real business starts with my old friends, Angola - sub John Mugume wins it right at the death. A huge result. It puts us 67th in the world - the highest I've ever got us.

The defeat to Egypt was expected so it's all down to the last match - Kenya.

Angola have to beat Egypt and hope Kenya stop us.

 

 

[KibworthBull]

July 2051

The main focus becomes AFCON.

Kenya - victory will guarantee us into the next round - defeat might be enough but it's out of our hands.

Andrew Ssenyondo scores early - his 49th national goal, and we progress. Angola go down to Egypt.

Now it's just a case of how far can we go.

Tunisia are 44th in the world. It's possible. 

Ah well...

10 of our 23 man squad were 30 or over so perhaps it's time for an overhaul. I've also switched on Uganda as a nation so my national pool has gone from 160 players to 1,500.

On the Canadian front, Ottawa have caught us up, but they now have played 4 more games than us.

Cavalry were defeated. 

Typically the worst team in the league inflict our first defeat of the season.

Back to Back victories helped boost the morale again, before we faced a doubleheader against Ottawa, without Valter Muchanga as he has damaged his foot.

We didn't need him. We are good. Too good for this level.

We will have bigger challenges when the NACL kicks off next month.

[KibworthBull]

August 2051

This will be the month where we see where we are.

We enter the North American Champions League - I've gotten out of the group stages twice in Puerto Rico, but we are in a group with Mexican and American sides. Eek!

Two routine league victories before the Red Bulls came to town - we downed their wings. A great start, but only a start.

We led in Mexico but couldn't hold on.

Domestically we dominate again - 11 goals against Forge in the month, and they are 3rd.

 

[KibworthBull]

September 2051

Victory over Valour was tempered by a couple of injuries. We can't have a big squad - only 23 players so any injury can be a blow. Fortunately, they'll miss the forthcoming international break.

Ivo Tivane was the star as we got past Edmonton. 

The rest of the month was games against Cavalry (mainly).

We got things going with a double from our Argentine Striker and saw it through consistently.

At the end of the season, Chamberlain goes back to the States - he came to me and told me he was considering his options so I decided to cash out - he'll leave a year early, we get a good price, and it free's up £1k per week wages and a FGN slot.

The intake was poor, only 1 scholar taken on

[KibworthBull]

October 2051

It was a big month for the NACL - two games. We need to win both.

CD Cruz Azul managed to nick a late draw, which means we need to win at FC Dallas at the end of the month to get 2nd.

Before that, 3 games in 5 days. We've already qualified for the playoffs so we can rotate.

Jorge Torrico went to town against Vancouver. A 6-1 win makes the 2nd leg irrelevant. 

The 2 leagues were negotiated well - everyone got some game time.

The 2nd string went to Vancouver and we were okay. A 3-0 loss but we progress to the final, which means 4 of the next 5 games in the season are against Forge! This means Ivo Tivane wont be able to play in them.

We've forged ahead in the two legged League Play-Off.

Defeat in Dallas - we led twice - but we've qualified for another play-off. We've got Atlas (Mexico) - as tough as it could get, but potentially a good money spinner.

We have a 4 goal lead for the League Play-Off Semi, 

It's a whole new world. There are 12 new players in this squad - we are starting fresh. 

Victory over Burundi saw debuts for 9 different players, with another one in the Rwanda victory.

Next month see's competitive internationals and the World Cup qualifiers.

[KibworthBull]

November 2051

The games continue at pace.

Forge (again) in the Canadian Championship Final 1st Leg. We've got eyes on the League Final in 3 days time.

Despite going weakish, we come out 6-1 winners.

Our score against Forge this season - 32-3

Back to full strength for the league decider. We made hard work of it, but once Valter Muchanga scored our 3rd it was done. My 19th league title.

The big game - Atlas, from Mexico, £400k in gate receipts. That's the story. Forget the result.

We claim the double by seeing of Forge.

We will only get stronger

No massive changes for the Ugandan World Cup matches against The Gambia

Utter Shambles

We are 40 odd places higher than them. Our World Cup hopes are almost over before they've started. 

3 down in 9 minutes in the return leg. We made that game respectable. But it's a huge let down.

[corinthiano]

Decent first run in the NACL, seems like there is still a bit of a gap to close to Mexican and U.S. teams, how long you think until you can close that?

[KibworthBull]

17 hours ago, corinthiano said:

Decent first run in the NACL, seems like there is still a bit of a gap to close to Mexican and U.S. teams, how long you think until you can close that?

I felt we were competitive in the games against the US sides. The Mexican sides were even but always felt like they had a 2nd or 3rd gear. I'd like to think within 5 years we will be pushing them hard. That's the focus. The nations are on the back burner whilst I chase the NACL

[KibworthBull]

2052 Preview

Quite a few outs. Nearly 4k a week off the wage bill. Bob Croft, Santiago Mancini and Ivan Moreno were bit part players last season. The rest were graduates who had limited involvement. We will also have 66% less Chamberlain's in our squad next season. 

Coming into the club, mainly defenders.

• Jean-Jacques Jérôme - a 20-year-old Haitian who immediately becomes a first-choice Centre Back
• Giovanni Andro - slightly older, but another very good Centre Back, this one from Suriname
• Sylvain Attisso - a Togolese Keeper. First choice
• Miguel Maquiso - a Canadian AMC who appeared in the Draft. He's 19 and has 4-star potential. He's the first draftee that has warranted any sort of mention. He's got a lot to do to make it here. But he has a chance.

We've reached the maximum wage salary for the league so that's it for additions unless we can move anyone on.

Over the last couple of years, we've struggled to keep people fit and there are a few players who ALWAYS needed resting. It makes me think that the Medical side of the club wasn't good enough, so we've had a clear-out and a recruitment session. Every addition is from Kiribati.

Another Ugandan squad. AFCON qualifiers - Ivory Coast and Liberia. 4 players could make debuts - Patrick Sentamu, James Kakooza, Boniface Otieno, and Mahrez Olega

We knew that Ivory Coast would be tough - 5 goals against was a bitter pill to swallow though.

A response needed against Liberia, Umaru Kateregga got a goal around half-time and the nerves were eased. 

[KibworthBull]

April 2052

It's time to get on the train again.

The 2052 season is fast approaching. Please stand behind the yellow line.

Valour are blown away. Ricardo Salvatierra moves into the 70s for the club - he can have Canadian nationality in 12 months. The national team boss should look in his direction.

Annoyingly we let Cavalry back into the game, several times.

Craig Heard has come through our academy and has a Canadian cap. He's started this year on fire. 6 goals and several assists.

[KibworthBull]

May 2052

I'm really trying to rotate the squad as much as I can this year. We don't have many domestic U21s so potentially we could get a fine at the end of the season.

We fell apart in the last 10 minutes against Forge. 2-0 up and cruising, but the rest of the month was okay.

The very tight restrictions mean that anyone over the age of 21 is fair game. Lukasz was good enough to contribute as back up but we need the space on the roster.

We were able to bring in an El-Salvodorian - it creates a registration headache but that's next month's problem. He scored on his debut.

It's all about a top 4 finish

[KibworthBull]

June 2052

June is a very busy month.

The transfer window closed. Out goes Juan Fernando Peña back to Colombia and in comes Archie O'Boyle from our affiliate. It's a massive downgrade, but a good financial deal. Pena had ticked off Colombia and was on £1400 a week. We need to save cash.

On the pitch we came from 0-2 to get a draw at Valour, 

Edgar Alonso Bonilla ticks off El Salvador at Edmonton. A brace and an assist gets him the MoTM. It's our 118th nation and the only one likely this season.

A bore draw against Pacific - a lot of our squad were travelling for international games. 

The Ottawa loss is frustrating. But Top 4 is all we need.

Another game against Forge where we blow a lead.

League rules mean we are not able to be as strong as I want - we should be strong enough to finish top of the pile though.

Uganda have two winnable friendlies. Home against two nations who are ranked slightly better than us. We are also full strength.

Guinea, we get a draw, which moves us up to 69th, before we are blown away in the opening twenty minutes by Honduras.

As a nation, we've never been higher than 63rd

[KibworthBull]

July 2052

A big win at Cavalry starts the month, they were 2nd.

Further victories over Valour and Edmonton mean that the Play-Offs are becoming more and more secure - which is good as everyone is starting to get tired.

Squad balancing is meaning I am not focusing on the matches so much, more on scouting and recruitment

The positives, we've avoided the fine for the season - got over 2,000 minutes from U21s. And we are still top.

The negative?

Next month the NACL starts again. And we feel weaker than last year.

The squad were concerned that we weren't strong enough at Left Back, and I've managed to find an Ecuadorian one

[KibworthBull]

August 2052

It's time to get our NACL on.

Pachuca comes over from Mexico. We've never beaten anyone from that nation.

Until Sean Davis popped up in the 90th minute to win it for us!

We've never beaten a Mexican team in Mexico. Pumas up next.

Sean Davis!!! The man I've been trying to sell - he keeps popping up with winners against Mexican sides.

A perfect month as well thanks to the 1 win in the league.

Everything looks very good right now

[KibworthBull]

September 2052

International call-ups mean we go into the Cavalry match without 6 members of the squad.

We come back from 0-2 and 1-3 to claim a point. I'll take it. We are very close to securing the Play-Offs.

We beat Pacific, mainly thanks to Jorge Torrcio and his brace. 

Victory over Valour secured our spot with 4 games to play.

Which means we can focus on Forge week - Craig Heard gave us the impetus in the Canadian Championship, before a league draw, and we saw the tie home in the 2nd leg.

Edmonton are bottom of the pile, and we end the month by showing them why.

It's all in our hands

After the shambles of the last qualifiers for Uganda, there is a sense of nervousness as we get the AFCON qualifiers going. Right Winger George Kasule comes in for his debut. 

Both Sudan and Liberia are games we should be winning. But both have beaten us in my time at the helm.

Sudan, once again, prove too good for us, whilst Liberia are tanked. Despite that win, we drop 7 places in the rankings!

George Kasule becomes our youngest player at 16 years and 54 days. 

It'll come down to Sudan at home.

[KibworthBull]

October 2052

Into the final knockings of the 2052 season and there is a lot to play for.

We face America who aren't from America, and DC United who are, in the NACL - because of the rules we've already qualified but a top two place will mean we bypass the play-off.

America (from Mexico) are blooming good, so a 3-3 draw is a great result, it also ensures we finish in the top two.

We got past Valour in the first leg, a good result considering 6 are away with their national sides. Edgar Alonso Bonilla scoring in the 94th minute for the win.

The two league games against Ottawa and HFX are just about getting through them without injuries or suspension. A nice moment for Academy Graduate Zoran Vojnović to score a double.

Antonio Bolognini is another graduate getting game time this year, the double to see us past Valour brings him to 15 for the season. 

Jorge Torrico gives us a slender lead over Cavalry, and we defend it in a bore draw to get into next month's final.

DC United get their first win and our first defeat of a successful campaign in the NACL Group stage. 

We power past Pacific to ensure that we've all but secured the Canadian Championship. Jorge Torrico doing the damage.

For the national side, a couple of friendlies against sides ranked in the 50s - Mali (57th) and Costa Rica (51st). John Ochan is an AMC/SC and is a new name for the national team. 

The Mali match was my 100th for Uganda, An annoyingly poor result. I've got a 57% win ratio at this level, which is lower than the domestic scene. A better performance gets a draw from Costa Rica

 

[KibworthBull]

November 2052

Play-Off Final. It's our chance for our 20th league title.

We started well and kept up the pressure and it's more silverware.

We take a 4 goal lead into the Canadian Championship Final, and it gives us chance to rotate the side a little bit. Gareth Chamberlain and Ryan Conteh both make their final appearances for York United.

Craig Heard is the League Player of the Year, Jorge Torrico is the Top Scorer and I am the coach of the year.

The club are aiming big - I should be around long enough to see it through, although plans are a little sketchy right now. 

Uganda have another friendly - this time against Dr Congo. Vitalis Mpande is a young striker and John Ochan is a much older striker, but both could get their first caps.

6 of the starting 11 are teenagers - we are definitely in a transition phase. A tough year for us.

[KibworthBull]

February 2053

It's a new season and we continue our NACL campaign from last year - the first time we've gotten this far in Canada.

In between the sticks we've signed Paul Siewe (Cameroun) and Jordan Pearse. Sylvain Attisso is on the transfer list as Siewe is far better and could get even better. He won't be registered.

Dayle Winters comes in from Athletico Ottawa, and is a Centre Half and only 17, he'll help us make our U21 quota next year. He'll turn into a decent option for the level.

Alikem Seko is another Centre Half, but has Canadian nationality, he's 25 and has come from Forge FC - he'll be a good option at both Right Back and his natural position.

Gareth Chamberlain and Ryan Conteh both retired. 

All in, we bought in just over £1m in transfer fees, mainly thanks to Andro and Davis moving on - both were Centre Backs and Foreign.

On the pitch, we resume our NACL journey.

Tigres Home and Away.

We lost 2-0 at our place, and faced an uphill battle to try and get anything out of it.

And boy did we respond. Daniel Brindley has only played 3 cup games before this moment - not only does he take it too penalties, he scores one in the shootout. Love him already. 

Massive result

 

 

 

Edited February 21 by KibworthBull

[KibworthBull]

March 2053

More NACL action. I'm as surprised as everyone else is!

We've never been in the Quarters before, and the press seems to imply we have a good chance.

We are not at our strongest - suspensions and match sharpness issues.

A 4-0 pasting feels about right.

It was a full house though.

A draw in the return leg, in front of nearly 30,000 people makes the bank manager happy. Our best NACL campaign. Progress is being made.

Internationally we are approaching a big moment - AFCON qualifiers. We need to beat Sudan to qualify.

First timers in the squad are Andrew Ssenyondo (Midfielder, 17) - the Forward listed below is 34, and our record appearance holder and scorer - if Jr has the career of Snr then we are laughing. He's joined by Vitalis Mpande (Striker, 17) and Sadat Kasozi (27 year old DM)

At one point we led 2-0 against the Ivory Coast, as you can see - it didn't end that way.

Defeat to Sudan has completely derailed our campaign. It's another competition we miss out on.

I've also stepped down - we've gone backwards over the past 3 seasons or so.

We struggled to achieve in the end - it started brightly but has fallen away

[KibworthBull]

April 2053

Single focus.

All about York.

A draw against Pacific was not the start anyone wanted, Comfort Nyati scored on his debut - he's a South African who has been bought in on loan for the season as Jorge Torrico is injured for the first 6-8 weeks of the season.

Normal service resumed against Valour, Ricardo Salvatierra scoring twice, just before he got Canadian citizenship.

The fans are really taking to Nyati - well once he got 4 against Ottawa, that moved him to 7 in just 4 games so they love him.

Salvatierra now has 84 for the club.

We don't need to finish any higher than 4th remember

[KibworthBull]

May 2053

New month, Same Comfort(s)

Cavalry are beaten away from home.

Forge are 6 from 6 and top of the table - they are the toughest test we face.  Everyone was quite happy with a point.

Victories either side of that one mean we are well placed as usual.

Forge dropped points so we sit top

[KibworthBull]

June 2053

Sylvain Attisso has come in from the cold as injury to Paul Siewe has meant we've registered our Togolese keeper - he was in goal for the draw at Pacific.

Jorge Torrico is coming back to full sharpness after his injury - a treble against HFX was what everyone wanted to see.

International call ups meant the Ottawa draw can be seen as a good result.

Cavalry inflict our first league defeat of the season. They scored their winner in the 94th minute - a defeat that dropped us to 2nd - but then we destroyed Forge and went back top.

Canada is starting to turn into a 4 team league - ourselves, Forge, Calvalry and Ottawa are the HAVE's the rest are the have-nots.

 

[KibworthBull]

July 2053

I mentioned the Have and Have-Not in the last post - sod's law we have the have-nots in succession in July - 3 games in a row.

I'm guaranteed to lose one now I've called them Have-Nots.

We almost did against Valour, but Jorge Torrico and Ricardo Salvatierra got us out of a hole.

We even got past Edmonton.

Avoided the defeats to the have-nots

And I managed to do the same against the Have's - or at least the Ottawa Have's.

A good level of consistency was achieved.

Forge have dropped off a little

[KibworthBull]

August 2053

Another win over Cavalry precedes our opening NACL fixture - Minnesota United.

I'm a little frustrated with the point against Minnesota, we did more than enough to win the game but it wasn't to be.

Victory over HFX secured our place in the play-offs. Edgar Alonso Bonilla was the key man, he wants to leave but for now he's pulling our strings.

Toluca are too good for us, away from home the Mexican sides are.

Even the best Canadian sides aren't competitive against our rotated sides. 

Just before the window shut, we strengthened our Centre Back options - Yves Koné is an Ivorian and was available on free.

He has good sell on potential and looks a very tidy prospect

[KibworthBull]

September 2053

Jorge Torrico is no longer a Jorge-foreigner. He's been in Canada for 3 years so is a dual national.

HFX are defeated thanks to a first club goal for Mitchell Cox.

At Valour in the Canadian Championship it was a very late show - all 4 of our goals in the last 10 minutes, it means we can relax for the 2nd leg and give some kids a try.

We lost the 2nd leg, but won through.

Another sale where the player was going to leave on a free at the end of their deal. No Sell on sadly

[KibworthBull]

October 2053

Columbus Crew. We sat bottom of the group before the game - all sides qualify but if you get into the top 2 then the route is easier.

We led 2-0 but Crew are 3 from 3 in terms of draws so it was no surprise that they scored twice late on.

Defeat to Ottawa in a game that means nothing.

4 games in 7 days, with 10 players away on International duty. Thanks scheduling gods

Massive win over CF Montreal. Also a 3 goal lead for the 2nd leg. 15-year-old Nathan Grainger scores on his debut.

We could only field 2 subs against FC Edmonton. Ricardo Salvatierra getting a double.

If you were late to Forge, then you'd miss the only goal - Kayne Morgan scoring his first for the club.

We finish top of the league, again.

Salvatierra with a treble and Montreal are sent on their way.

In the League Play-Off, a scrappy draw at Cavalry means we have a few sleepless nights for the 2nd leg.

A short trip to Mexico, and a must win game at Leon. A defeat means we must go via the play-offs.

It wasn't pretty but we've got through to the League Final - two Craig Heard goals see us through.

Everyone is shattered and we still have another game to go. Vancouver in the Canadian Championship 1st Leg Final.

Smashed 3-0. Not the start we wanted.

If anyone is still fit enough, we have 3 games in 10 days next month.

[KibworthBull]

November 2053

Can we pick ourselves up from the Vancouver defeat and get past Forge for the title?

Course we can. 4 titles in a row.

We've now got to find our way past Atlanta in the NACL.

Jorge Torrico has barely the strength to smile, but he's won us ANOTHER match. Fabulous.

We got £1.4m in gate receipts in Atlanta. Worth the trip alone.

We've got to try and turn around a 0-3 scoreline against Vancouver, with 16 players away on international duty. Mega Lols!

But then... I realised they were Friendlies, so they were all withdrawn

Torrico again scores, this time a double, but it's not enough to completely turn it around.

A nice bit of Mexican sun in late November. Cruz Azul. Victory means we go again after the Winter Break (in 2054 season, for us).

You must know the drill by now. Jorge Torrico yet again. 

Our financial picture almost looks pleasant.

We will play Seattle in the next Round

[KibworthBull]

February 2054

Trying to get a squad capable of winning the NACL on just 13k a week is tricky. Lots of unhappy players because we can't register them in the league due to the limit, but they are free to play in the NACL.

Two new signings. We didn't tick off a nation last season, hopefully we can get at least two this year.

• Saeed Al-Balawi is a 19 year old Saudi striker
• Víctor Caballero is a 24 year old Left Mid, or Attacking Mid. He's from Paraguay.
• Erick Gómez is a 21 year old Attacking Mid from Ecuador on a season long loan from SC Barcelona

Both will be first teamers.

We need to balance the books so lots of movement is expected. Alvarez was with me in Puerto Rico and he did a decent job, ideally I would have kept him around but it's decent money for someone I didn't register. Similiar story for Bolognini, he's 4th choice striker, so 100k is nice.

But first, we have a double date with Seattle.

Old Boy, he's 25, Jorge Torrico carries on where he left off last season, with a double and we take a slender lead over the border.

50,000 people watch us, not be SLEEPLESS in Seattle..

Deportivo Tuluca in the Quarters - they knocked us out last year.

[KibworthBull]

March 2054

It would be really, really, really, really, really, good if we could win the NACL this year.

Another very even game and we ended up on the wrong side of it. Just. This means we have a lot to do in Mexico

Alas, it's not our year.

We've fallen at the Quarter Finals for the 2nd year in a row.

 

[KibworthBull]

April 2054

We start away at Pacific.

The squad balance is terrible. A few injuries and it could be a horrible season. We are paying players too much so can only register 16 of the 23 slots. We are able to play until the end of May without confirming the squad so have a small amount of flexibility at the start.

It's a problem of my own creation.

Víctor Caballero gets the MoTM in the victory, which means we just need him to score and that's a nation - I bet you forgot about that part of the challenge.

Back-to-back victories secured thanks to 5 going into the Edmonton nets - new boys Erick Gómez and Saeed Al-Balawi are both off the mark.

Forge annoys me, they beat us. That's all it takes to annoy me. We gave them an Own Goal too.

Bounce-back-a-bility shown against Valour.

We've eased the burden a little by selling off our Ecuadorian Left Back - the £575 per week we are paying him means we can register 3 or 4 of the kids. He goes in June but isn't registered anymore.

[KibworthBull]

May 2054

4 games in the first 2 weeks of the month, then the registration window hits and we take a short break.

Points dropped at Cavalry, and another own goal given away. I need to remind myself that Top 4 is all we need.

Valter Muchanga has had a fairly quiet last 15 months or so, but he picked a nice time to grab a hat-trick against Ottawa. Ricardo Salvatierra moves onto 97 goals for the club.

Saeed Al-Balawi has had a steady start - 3 in 11. He grabs the winner against HFX and smiles are all around.

It took Víctor Caballero just 6 minutes to tick off our 119th nation against Edmonton. We then went a bit nuts. Salvatierra moves onto 99. Torrico not far behind him on 96

Our ability to implode against Forge is amusing to nobody in our camp - TWO sent off in this one. Torrico scores his 97th and then 2 minutes later sees red - 8 minutes into the game.

Salvatierra scores goal number 100 but we fail to win AGAIN.

And to celebrate his 100th goal - he has found another club. He was a top wage earner so we needed some more depth registerred.

Paraguay

[KibworthBull]

June 2054

An odd month. Just two games.

Two players are off to the World Cup.

We've also bought a couple of players in - Carlos Leonardo is a Centre Back on loan from Clube Desportivo Primeiro de Agosto (where I am a Legend) - he is costing us nothing. Mohammad Mahmood is from the UAE and is a 19-year-old Centre Back, he's not registered but looks a very handy prospect - he came on a free. We'll get him involved in the Canadian Championship when that comes around.

HFX get a pasting, Saeed Al-Balawi enjoys his day, a double and an assist mean he gets the MoTM and our 120th nation is secured with Saudi Arabia.

Al-Balawi then goes nuts at Valour. 13 goals this month for the whole team. 10 of them for Torrico and Al-Balawi

Table looks a bit nicer now

Saudi Arabia

[KibworthBull]

July 2054

The first game of the month is at home to the side propping up the table. Erick Gómez ticks off Ecuador and we win so a perfect day

Gomez scores again in the Pacific - they are 3rd so it's a key win.

Forge next, the side who have beaten us twice, and they make that three times. I fear the Play-Offs at this rate as undoubtedly we will play them.

Christian Montalvo joined the club a couple of days before the Valour match and ticked off Peru (No.#122)

Which completes South America - all 10 nations ticked off

Forge lose, and ironically so do we, before we exact sweet revenge on Cavalry a couple of days later, not once but twice.

We've also delved into the loan market to bring back Carlos Alvarez

The league is a two horse race

Ecuador

Peru

[KibworthBull]

August 2054

The NACL returns.

But before that Jorge Torrico hit some form with a quadruple. 

In a way the NACL group games are fairly unimportant - we will qualify for a further stage, but getting top 2 means we bypass any play-offs. 

Which is fairly good as Leon taught us a few lessons.

A complete contrast when we travel to America - New York Red Bulls are ripped to shreds. Gomez with 4

The Play-Off place was secured prior to the HFX win - that particular game was dull until the 86th minute and then we scored twice to win.

Jorge Torrico has moved onto Legendary status and is on fire at the moment - 8 goals this month AND a new contract signed.

The league looks quite good, but Forge have a games in hand

 

 

[KibworthBull]

September 2054

We can split this month into thirds. 

We start with the league third - two games against Pacific and Forge - both are expected to finish in the playoffs.

Despite having 9 away on international duty we get past Pacific.

Forge are our mortal enemy this year - 3 straight defeats. 

We stuff them but lose our No.1 Keeper through injury - he's unlikely to feature again this season thanks to a broken hand.

The perfect first leg in the Canadian Championship means we can fully rotate in the 2nd leg before an NACL game

Thanks to DM Miloš Dunđerski getting sent off after 8 minutes we had to play most of the Chivas game with 10 - they edged it and it means we can't automatically qualify now.

[KibworthBull]

October 2054

We moved swiftly to accept £47k + 25% for someone who was our top wage earner AND was leaving on a free in 2 months.

Valter did well for us but we won't look a gift horse in the mouth.

Victory over Valour mean we finish the league in 1st place.

A big win over Toronto before 2 meaningless matches in the league, set us up for the return leg.  At one point we were 0-2 and looking very worried but 2nd half goals got us back and we progress to the final.

A trip to the Pacific for the Playoff Semi First Leg, both ourselves and Forge do enough to suggest that the final is set in stone.

Victory in Washington over DC United bought in 200k to the coffers. We get 3rd place so it's Play-Offs.

The League Play-Off is confirmed as being York v Forge.

But before that we take a slender lead from Vancouver in the Canadian Championship First Leg.

We lost Saeed Al-Balawi to injury, but a late Ryan Hay winner gives us the title.

 

[KibworthBull]

November 2054

Winning against a Mexican side is a challenge, doing it without Saeed Al-Balawi and Jorge Torrico is almost impossible.

We've also got 6 players 1 booking away from a suspension, so potentially we could go through and be in an even worse position for the next game.

What optimism!

It went late but Víctor Caballero with a double has meant we have got through, HOWEVER we have another Mexican side Pachuca CF and we are without Alikem Seko, Ryan Hay and Craig Heard. It could be worse.

Daniel Brindley is 18 and continues to impress - you'll remember as a 16-year-old he scored a very important NACL goal. He got the winner and we won the Canadian Championship for the third time in four years.

The strikers returned for Pachuca, but we threw away a 2-goal lead to crash out. Gutting

[KibworthBull]

2055 Season

All change, please. All change.

Not really, but there has been some movement.

Over £1m comes in - Paul Siewe told me he wanted to leave on a free so had to get as much as possible for him, we've strengthened the rest of the league with some of these deals,  but we need the cash.

Coming In

Gomez and Alvarez were on loan last year and have signed permanent deals. Lin Ziheng will battle with Guna Haas for the No.1 slot and Kyle Davis is a Left Back who adds Canadian depth. Bolognini was ours before we sold him to Valour, and comes back to offer a free loan option up front.