Barons (WWW) vs Spartans (LDW)

Barons FC are the hottest team in the TCL having won all 3 matches and outscoring the opposition 19-6.  The Spartans currently boast the defense in the league and the battle between Seamus and JJ will be one to watch on Wednesday.  It’ll be more than Seamus that the Spartans need to worry about as Winnett, Cristiano and Lyons are all in the top 10 goalscorers.  I’d be remiss to not mention Ronalduy when talking about goalscorers.  The TCL all time leading scorer will cause nightmares for Di Re and the Barons defense.  With both teams coming off emphatic victories this game promises to tear the roof off of the Hangar!

Renegades (LLL) vs Clubber Lang (LLW)

Clubber Lang got their first win of the season last week and are looking to make it 2 in a row against a hot and cold Renegades squad. Daniel Newman makes his official return to the league and he’ll don the teal coloured jersey.  This team has started slow but might be finding their rhythm.  They fought hard for each other last week and captain Hughes says the best is yet to come.  As for the Renegades, rumour has it that Theo is shaking things up and moving players around.  They’ve got the talent to play with anyone in this league and it’s time to let them loose!

D-Mentors (WDL) vs Cobra Kai (WWL)

The prime time match sees 2 teams coming off of losses in week 3.  The D-Mentors played well against the Barons for the first half but things fell apart in the second.  There’s no shame in losing to the Barons though.  After 2 consecutive 4-3 wins, Cobra Kai failed to find the net in 1-0 loss to Clubber Lang.  This will be Cobra Kai’s second consecutive prime time match, who made this schedule anyway?

Barons (WW) vs D-Mentors (WD)

It’s the leagues top offense against the leagues top defense.  The high-flying Barons have scored 13 goals in 2 games led primarily by Lynott and Winnett.  The D-Mentors are establishing themselves as one of the more physical teams in the league and if you’re going to score against them, you’ll have to earn it.  Burinski and Chattani don’t like to tip-toe through the tulips so be ready Barons.  Have the Barons benefited from facing depleted squads or are they really that good?  We’ll see on Wednesday.

Spartans (LD) vs Renegades (LL)

Two teams looking for their first win of the season will battle it out on Field #2.  Having faced both teams, this writer finds it difficult to predict the outcome. The Renegades pass the ball really well and have strong positional sense.  Last week’s loss was a close game that could’ve gone either way.  Sure, their honesty gets called into question at times, but this writer doesn’t like to judge. The Spartans will hope that JJ is available in week 3.  The Juggernaut will relish the prospect of dueling runs against Brett Baker of the Spartans.

Cobra Kai (WW) vs Clubber Lang (LL)

It’s the battle of the 80’s in the prime time match.  Cobra Kai is flying high with 2 wins to start the season.  In both games, the final was 4-3 with the winning goal coming late.  Clubber Lang faced contrasting fortunes with 2 losses in the opening matches.  They really need to kick-start their offense and they’ll be hoping that Dan Newman dons the teal jersey this season.  If he does, they’ll surely bring the pain they promised.

Be sure to tune in to the half-time show!

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Clubber Lang vs Barons

Two teams with contrasting fortunes in their season openers, will meet to kick off week 2.  Barons FC were impressive 8-3 winners last week while Clubber Lang was blanked 3-0.  Captain Brad Hughes will be minding the net for 2 weeks in a row against the Barons.  Let’s hope this week goes better than last!

Cobra Kai vs Renegades

Cobra Kai came out winners in week 1’s “Game of the week” while the Renegades’ depleted squad had a horrible night.  Missing their inspirational captain this week, the Renegades welcome back most of the players who missed the season opener.  The Cobra Kai have their sights set on being crowned “Fall Champions” and a win on Wednesday is a must.

D-Mentors vs Spartans

Duy Nguyen and John Altinian made for a great duo last year, but now they face off in what could be the beginning of a bitter, bitter rivalry.  Although they lost last week, the Spartans will feel that they played well and will be looking to knock off the D-Mentors.  For their part, the D-Mentors welcome back captain Burinski and John Altinian, both missing in last week’s win.

The Teachers’ Champions League is set to open the 2016/17 this Wednesday.  With many new players and a larger field, this season will be completely different to the prior 2.

Spartans vs Cobra Kai

The Spartans are starting the season in turmoil as their keeper Charles Yang had to leave the league.  They’ll need to secure a loan or mind the nets themselves.  Mario and Duigi are reunited and are ready to start stomping Goomba’s in the Mushroom Kingdom.  Cobra Kai has rebuilt it’s dojo since the 80’s and their mantra of “strike first, strike hard” will be on full display.  If that doesn’t work, you can bet that “sweep the leg” will.

Football Clubber Lang vs D-Mentors

These 2 teams looked good in the pre-season and you can expect an explosive match to start the season.  Some are tipping this to be a preview of the final while others say that’s premature.  Mr. T is expected to be in the audience because he has nothing better to do.

Barons vs Renegades

The Primetime game sees the return of Andrew Winnett.  When he left the Gunners mid-season in 2014/15 they completely fell apart.  They lost games like it was their job to do so.  The Barons looked strong in pre-season but the Renegades weren’t impressed.  Theo was quoted as saying “whatever”.

See you on Wednesday night!

October 19th is the last week of the pre-season.  Here is the schedule:

• 6 pm: Football Clubber Lang (Dark) vs Cobra Kai (White)
• 6 pm: Barons (White) vs D-Mentors (Dark)
• 7 pm: Renegades (Dark) vs Spartans (White)

Please note that we do not record results or goalscorers for pre-season matches.  This doesn’t mean that if you scored a world class goal people will forget about it.  It just means they won’t acknowledge it.

 

The Semi-Finals are set with Blue Lightning taking on Whitewalkers and Maestros battling the Bad Apples.  Both of these games will kick-off at 6 pm.  In the 5th place game, OTPP Utd lineup against The Black Team.

Semi-Final 1 – Blue Lightning vs Whitewalkers

Blue Lightning enter the semi-final after an intense, emotional battle against the Black Team.  In the highest scoring quarter-final pairing, they came out on top 11-8 on aggregate.  Everyone on the field stepped up the intensity but in particular it was Scott Kamins and Vince Castronovo who reached zen-like conscientiousness, elevated themselves and firmly put their marks on this game.  Bragging rights in the Infrastructure group belong to them for the summer.

Whitewalkers showed that even though winter has ended, their run for the championship hasn’t.  They beat top seed Bad Apples 4-2 in the first leg, having led 4-0 at one point.  The Bad Apples didn’t see it coming and had they not scored twice late, the second leg would’ve been a much more daunting task.  They managed to win that second leg 2-0 thereby winning the series on away goals.  The Whitewalkers still secured the wild card spot though, and they’ll be ready for Blue Lightning.

Semi-Final 2 – Maestros vs Bad Apples

Maestros entered the quarter-finals as underdogs but emerged as winners over a tough OTPP Utd team.  While the first leg finished 1-1, it was the Metinho show in the second as he scored an impressive 5 goals in a 6-1 romp.  He overcame his fear of little rubber pellets and let loose on Brad Hughes in the Utd net.  Were the Maestros playing possum in the second half of the season?

Bad Apples came precariously close to choking after a massively successful regular season.  As mentioned above, they battled with Whitewalkers.  They overcame that hurdle.  Next they had to face the prospect of a forfeit due to a work event the day of the semi-final.  They overcame that hurdle as well.  The next hurdle will be Metinho’s Maestros.  Will they finally trip up and fall on their faces?

5th Place – OTPP Utd vs The Black Team

This game could’ve been the final but it wasn’t meant to be.  Both teams are strong and competitive but playing for 5th place probably won’t mean much to them.  Hopefully they can put the playoffs behind them and finish the season in style.

The regular season comes to an end this Thursday and the playoff match-ups will be determined.

Bad Apples

Position: 3 points ahead of second Goal difference not in their favour.

Best Case: First

Worst Case: Second

OTPP Utd

Position: 3 points behind first, 2 points ahead of third and 3 points ahead of fourth. Goal difference in their favour.

Best Case: First

Worst Case: Fourth

The Black Team

Position: 2 points behind second, 1 point ahead of third.  Goal difference in their favour. (v Blue Lightning)

Best Case: Second

Worst Case: Fourth

Blue Lightning

Position: 3 points behind second, 2 points behind third. Goal difference not in their favour.

Best Case: Second

Worst Case: Fourth

Whitewalkers

Position: 3 points ahead of sixth. Goal difference not in their favour.

Best Case: Fifth

Worst Case: Sixth

Maestros

Position: 3 points behind fifth. Goal difference in their favour.

Best Case: Fifth

Worst Case: Sixth

With 3 weeks left, there are 4 teams battling for 1st.  Suffering opposite fortunes, Maestros and Whitewalkers will finish 5th & 6th.  That won’t deter them though, because it’s the playoffs that matter.

Maestros v Blue Lightning

Blue Lightning leads the season series 2-1 and if they want to finish first, they can’t drop points to the Maestros.  For their part, the Maestros need to get back on track and build confidence for the playoffs.  Metin and Ivan, once brothers, now rivals.

Prediction: 3-2 Lightning

OTPP Utd vs Bad Apples

The Bad Apples have been in first place since January and that won’t change this week.  United linger 4 points behind and must win to stand a chance of finishing first.  They haven’t beaten the Apples in 3 attempts this season, but current form suggests that’s about to change. Paulinho vs Kinsella, who will be the more lucky Irishman on the day?

Prediction: 2-1 OTPP Utd

The Black Team vs Whitewalkers

The Black Team needs to pick themselves up after last week’s hard loss.  The Whitewalkers will hopefully be welcoming back some key players who have been unavailable in recent weeks.  Raghav vs Charles, who will be the difference?

Prediction: 5-3 Black Team

Maestros vs Bad Apples (6 pm)

Head to Head: Bad Apples have won both encounters this season.  Their 7-2 win in week 10 was the most talked about game in league history.

Current Form: Bad Apple’s league record 4 game winning streak ended last week while Maestros have lost 3 in a row.

Key to the Game: The Apples really missed Alex last week and his return might be enough to get them back in the win column.  Metin’s deep-lying playmaker role might not be the best way forward for Maestros.

Prediction: Bad Apples

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OTPP United vs Whitewalkers (6 pm)

Head to Head: Two wins and a 6-1 aggregate for OTPP Utd.

Current Form: The Whitewalkers are brimming with confidence after beating the league leaders last week.  United have lost 3 in a row.

Key to the Game: If Whitewalkers push forward they can win, but being overly defensive will surely cost them.

Prediction: Whitewalkers

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Blue Lightning vs The Black Team (7 pm)

Head to Head: One win each.

Current Form: Both teams are on a 3 game winning streak and looking to make it 4.

Key to the Game: It’s DC vs Raghav at one end and Altinian vs Kevin at the other.  Which team will exploit the space these two create?

Prediction: Blue Lightning

Bad Apples vs Whitewalkers (6 pm)

Head to Head: The teams played only once back in November and the game ended in a draw.

Current Form: Bad Apples have won 4 in a row while Whitewalkers haven’t won since December 10th.

Key to the Game: The Apples will be without a keeper and since captain Tudo is injured, they might find it difficult to cope.

Prediction: Whitewalkers

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OTPP United vs The Black Team (6 pm)

Head to Head: They’ve played twice with OTPP Utd winning both.

Current Form: Utd have lost 3 of the last 4 while the Black Team has won 4 of their last 5.

Key to the Game: Both teams have new players and some might integrate quicker than others.

Prediction: The Black Team

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Blue Lightning vs Maestros (7 pm)

Head to Head: They’ve each beaten the other once.

Current Form: Blue Lightning is 2-3 while Maestros are 2-1-2 in their last 5.

Key to the Game: Will Maestros luck run out?

Prediction: Blue Lightning