LegaleseDomesticSoccerSeason1

Overview

L-League The first formal season of the L-League kicked off with 12 teams battling for the first title. Avon Nomads jumped into the driver's seat early in the season, never relinquishing the top spot after securing it after matchday 4. The Nomads also started the season off with a 10-match unbeaten streak, broken by a 2-0 defeat to Southampton Athletic, who would finish second overall in the standings. At the bottom, Haversford Town and Saluna Snakes look ready to drop down a level, though Haversford Town's bottom-dwelling performance will not force an auto-promotion, due to expansion in the L-League.

M-League Meanwhile, in the M-League, Legalese's 2nd Division, a tight battle at the top ensued between Coastal and Zhaza Zubu, who constantly flip-flopped in the standings through the final weeks of play. In the final two weeks, the teams flipped places each week: Coastal, going into matchday 21 down one point, jumped Zubu by a point with a win over Curia City, while Zubu drew with Numalia Explorers 1-1. Zubu then went out in the early match on the final day with 11th-placed Northern Tip FC in a shocker, needed three goals in the second half to gain a 3-3 draw, and giving Coastal the title with a win or a draw in Bellona, as they took on the Kenton Rovers. Another high-scoring thriller ensued, where a 2-0 lead by Coastal was quickly cut to a 2-2 tie at the half, followed by a third goal by Kenton in the 60th minute. The 3-2 result would stick until stoppage, in which a crazy flurry of goals saw Coastal stick the equalizer, while Kenton turned around and nailed home the game-winner. The result earned Zhaza Zubu the first M-League title, and an automatic place in the L-League next season. Coastal and Curia City will join Haversford Town and Saluna in the playoff rounds, which shall determine who will join Zubu in the L-League.

Legalese Open Cup Open to all LAFF-affiliated clubs, the Legalese Open Cup started in an short opeing form, taking entries from the 24 L and M-League clubs, as well as from 8 amateur clubs in Legalese. There were no seeds in the draw, setting up a completely random tournament.

Competition proved to be rather tight throughout, as each round save the final had at least one match go into extra time. Despite this, Worthington Valley turned out to be the only side which played two extra-time matches during the cup, needing an extra 30 to turn a 1-1 draw vs. Southampton into a 2-1 win, as well as to nail two goals home on Jhanna Southern, modifying the previously scoreless result into a 2-0 victory. Worthington Valley would make it all the way to the final on these results, as well as a 3-0 thrashing of Bekknia United in the semifinals.

However, it would be the Myre Mustangs, mediocre season in the L-League aside, that would taste cup glory, surviving a 1-1 draw with Titanic FC in the semis by winning 3-1 on kicks from the mark, then putting away Worthington Valley with a 4-1 result in the final.

Promotion/Relegation/Expansion

The 12-team L-League will expand to 14 teams this coming season, with one of those new spots claimed by Zhaza Zubu, the winners of the M-League. As such, the LAFF has proposed a 4-team playoff round, with each team playing each other twice. The top 3 teams shall retain/earn spots in tne L-League for Season 2, while the odd man out will rejoin the M-League for the second season. As such, the M-League expects to admit at least two additional clubs to the fold for season 2, to make up for losing two sides to the L-League.