Vol. 2, Issue No. 4 — LGFA Extra Time: The 'Where Do We Stand?' Edition

Imgur links:
Page 1: http://i.imgur.com/7J3kYJ5.jpg
Page 2: http://i.imgur.com/j2RkVUz.jpg

 

League, cup leaders mixed bag
Tables, FA Cup, DFB-Pokal, Champions League standings broken down

By nubsy004
LGFA Extra Time Editor/LGFA Access Co-Host
Just under halfway through the season, future league table winners are making their cases for hardware, and teams have one more week to fight into the knockout rounds of the FA Cup, DFB-Pokal and Champions League.
English Premier League
Picked as high favorites to start the season with top-tier talent as its management, Liverpool has not disappointed. Playing numerous games with the minimum seven players, the Reds have amassed a 7-0-1 record, good for 21 points and 7 points clear of the No. 2 team. Liverpool has shut out half the teams they have played and have a goal differential of +13, averaging just more than 2.5 goals a game and allowing only 1 per game. Liverpool's only loss so far this season in league play has come at the hands of Tottenham by a 5-3 scoreline [Edit: This was corrected from the image above, which incorrectly had Crystal Palace winning in league play, when Palace has only beat Liverpool in FA Cup play. Happy @phillyfan765?!?!].
Coming in at second is Tottenham Hotspur, which is 4-2-2 with 14 points. After a winless Week 1, the Spurs went undefeated in league play in Week 2. However, only 15 goals for and 16 against is a scary goal differential for the current runner-up.
Crystal Palace, Manchester City and Manchester United make up the mid-tier teams at 11 points, and Chelsea and Leicester City are nipping at their heels with 10 and 9 points, respectively. Palace and Leicester have each won three games, while City, United and Chelsea have only won two. The Red Devils of United would be challenging for the league title if they could quit the "like kissing your sister" syndrome, leading both leagues with five draws on Sundays and Mondays.
Rounding out the league is the most unfortunate of squads, Aston Villa, who remain winless in league play at 0-7-1. With only 4 goals for and a whopping 22 against, the Villains are more like the victims when it comes to league play.
Bundesliga
Also predicted to do well, the defending FA Cup champions Bayern Munich lead the German league, but not by much. Munich is the only team in either league still undefeated in league play at 7-1-0, also leading both leagues with 22 points. Munich makes a habit of winning close games, as they only have 18 goals for and 7 against with just two clean sheets.
Within a game of the leaders are two teams — the barnstorming Bayer Leverkusen and Stuttgart. Leverkusen sits at 21 points with a 7-0-1 record, and Stuttgart checks in at 19 points with a 6-1-1 record. Bayer has been the biggest attacking threat in either league, racking up 25 goals and only allowing 7, also shutting out half of their opponents so far. Stuttgart has a +5 differential at 15 for and 10 against.
Werder Bremen and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim are next in the standings at 12 and 7 points each, and Borussia Dortmund is just off the pace with 6 points. Schalke 04 is even further back with 4 points. Bremen is the only team of the four with a positive goal differential and more than two wins.
Closing out the standings is VfL Wolfsburg, who much like its last-place EPL counterpart, has yet to win a game. Wolfsburg has also scored only 4 goals, but have allowed five more than Villa for a goal differential of -23.
FA Cup
In Group A, Tottenham leads with 10 points, Chelsea has 7 points, Manchester United has 4 points and Leicester has 1. The Spurs have ensured themselves a spot in the knockout round with three wins in their first four games. Chelsea faces the Spurs and Leicester on Tuesday and can advance with just one win. Having lost to Chelsea twice, United would have to win both games and not avoid a tie in points with Chelsea to move on. Leicester also still has a shot, as the Foxes play Unites and Chelsea on Tuesday, and having tied Chelsea in the first game, can move on with two wins, two Chelsea losses and two United losses.
In Group B, Liverpool (no surprise) and Manchester City lead with points each, while Aston Villa and Crystal Palace have 3 each. The Pool and the Citizens play one another in the second game Tuesday. The winner of that game will advance, and if it is a draw, both will advance. To put it plainly, there are not many scenarios in which Palace or Villa have a snowball's chance in hell at moving on.
DFB-Pokal
In Group A, Borussia Dortmund and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim replicate Group B of the FA Cup with 9 points each, and Schalke 04 and VfL Wolfsburg are each hanging on with 3 points apiece. However, unlike the FA Cup Group B, all teams still have a shot at the knockout round since Hoffenheim and Dortmund have already played both games and split decisions. Hoffenheim or Dortmund could advance with just one win or one tie on Tuesday. Schalke and Wolfsburg would have to win both games to have a shot, and then hope goal differential in a tied points finish goes in their favor. Interestingly, if Schalke and Wolfsburg can manage the seemingly impossible and each win both games, that would set up a 4-way tie for first at 9 points and likely give the BOGs one hell of a headache.
In Group B, Bayern Munich has likely advanced with 10 points. Unfortunately, the rest of the group is hard to determine, as Bremen has only three of four games entered and has 4 points, Leverkusen only has two games entered and 3 points, and Stuttgart has only three games entered and 0 points. Not knowing the results of some of those other games, There is no predicting any team to advance or not at this point.
Champions League
In Group A, Borussia Dortmund sports a leading 9 points, Stuttgart is within a game at 7 points, Wolfsburg comes in at 4 points and Tottenham sits at 3. Dortmund and Stuttgart play in the first game Wednesday, and the winner of that game will advance, and a draw (or win or draw in game No. 2) will put Dortmund through. Wolfsburg and Tottenham will have to win both games to have any shot.
In Group B, undefeated Manchester City leads with 12 points, Bayer Leverkusen has 6 points with one game not entered, and Aston Villa (two games not entered) and Leicester City (one game not entered) sit at 0 points. it's clear City will advance, but the rest of the group is unpredictable with so many games missing.
In Group C, Liverpool is tops with 10 points, Werder Bremen has 6, Bayern Munich has 4 and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim has 3. Liverpool and Bremen face off in the first game Wednesday, and the Pool can go forward with a win or draw. Bremen and Munich play in the late game, and no matter the results of the first game, that winner will likely move on. Hoffenheim's best shot is to win both its games and hope for draws everywhere else.
In Group D, the tightest of all groups, Schalke leads with 7 points, Chelsea and Crystal Palace each have 6 and Manchester United has 4. Simply put, any team that gets 3 points or more has a shot to advance, and every one of these teams is in the running for a knockout stage game.

Presidential candidates debate on LGFA
Trump, Clinton tackle rules, trades, winning

By nubsy004
LGFA Extra Time Editor/LGFA Access Co-Host
Taking a break from the campaign trail, U.S. Presidential Candidates Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton have turned their attention this week to the LGFA, and the debate got out of hand quickly.
Trump kicked off the arguments with a discussion of the disregard for rules around the league, namely Stuttgart’s use of a non-roster player in two games this week.
“It’s terrible,” he said. “There are rules in this league, and we either have rules or we don’t. This is why we need to build a wall, so we can prevent teams from shipping players across roster boarders to steal good jobs from roster players.. It will be a great wall. And, they don’t know it yet, but the VPN will pay for it.”
Hillary Clinton countered Trump’s anti-player-immigrant rhetoric, taking a page from @GoldenPandaDude’s playbook in saying not everyone should have to play by the rules.
“THIS KIND OF TALK FROM A PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE IS UNACCEPTABLE AND UNAMERICAN,” Clinton screamed unnecessarily loud into her microphone at an event at LGFA headquarters on Wednesday. “I DON’T THINK ANYTHING STUTTGART DID THIS WEEK IS ANY WORSE THAN ME HAVING A PRIVATE EMAIL SERVER, AND I HOPE YOU ARE WITH ME!”
Trump doubled down on his wall idea, singling out Chelsea as the prime place to start.
“Have you seen who they have over there?” he asked. “@McCullough l 9 is surrounded by Mexicans. We have to start by building him his own wall at Stamford Bridge.”
Clinton said the LGFA should be an inclusive league, where gamers of all types can come to play.
“THIS KIND OF XENOPHOBIC RHETORIC IS HARMFUL TO THE LGFA, AND I WON’T STAND FOR IT,” she screamed even louder than before. “I BELIEVE MEN AND WOMEN OF ALL HERITAGES SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE THE AMERICAN DREAM AND HAVE A PATH TO PLAY FOR ANY TEAM IN THE LEAGUE.”
Later in the debate, Trump turned his attention to trade, a key sticking point of his campaign’s platform.
“So many teams lose on trade,” he said. “I am the best at trade and I will make such a good trade deal your head will spin. Dortmund and Hoffenheim are making all the trades. Why can’t Chelsea or Manchester City make more trades? And why can’t Manchester United make ANY trades?
These unfair trade practices are ruining this league. Crooked Hillary wants to keep it that way.”
Clinton said the dispersement of trades is exactly how capitalism intended.
“TEAMS LIKE ASTON VILLA ARE THE ONES WITH ALL THE MONEY, SO OF COURSE THEY GET TO MAKE MORE TRADES,” she screamed again, setting a new world record for highest decibel level in a stadium. “THE DONALD CALLS HIMSELF A BUSINESS MAN, SO HE SHOULD KNOW THIS. I’VE SPENT ENOUGH TIME ON WALL STREET TO KNOW HOW CAPITALISM WORKS, AND I WILL MAKE IT WORK FOR EVERYONE!”
In his closing statements, Trump brought the conversation back to one of his favorite topics — winning.
“As a league, not everyone wins any more,” he said. “We have these teams like Aston Villa and Wolfsbug, and they don’t win. These teams may be losers, but I will make them great again.”
Clinton said for the lower-tiered teams to find success, they just have to work harder.
“IN THE UNITED STATES WE WORK HARD TO GET WHERE WE WANT, AND THOSE TEAMS WILL HAVE TO DO THE SAME,” she said.
Clinton would have continued her thoughts, but she blew every speaker in the stadium, effectively ending the debate.

SATIRE DISCLOSURE: This article is not serious in nature. If you believe what you have read here, Extra Time and the LGFA relinquish all responsibilities regarding your actions. Carry on.


iS1CK's Health-O-Meter Power Rankings

By iS1CK l2l
LGFA Reporter
English Premier League
1. Liverpool
Diagnosis: Running on adrenaline
The Reds are basically running away with the EPL title. Liverpool is the best team in a weak EPL league. I don’t see anyone in the EPL challenging Liverpool for the title heading into week 3, unless they lose some more games playing with 7 people.
KEY PLAYERS
FWD: @K inG x NeymaR, 13 G, 9 A
MID: @SHIEK l 10 l, 5 G, 7 A, 5 CS
DEF: @l Trae l, 1 G, 3 A, 7 CS
GK: @CKlassen, 33 saves on 46 shots, 13 GA

2. Tottenham Hotspur
Diagnosis: You’re hot then you’re cold
The Spurs are the second best team in the EPL, and I can see them finishing top 3. This team has potential, however I just don’t think the season is long enough for them to reach their full potential. They are a good team, just running out of steam heading into week 3.
KEY PLAYERS
FWD: @DosXeP1C, 14 G, 2 A
MID: @KillaAqua99, 2 G, 6 A, 4 CS
DEF: @l FR13 l, 1 G, 2 CS
GK: @LM JuMpEr l9l, 49 saves on 59 shots, 14 GA

3. Manchester City
Diagnosis: You’re yes then you’re no
A solid team on paper, City is just not pushing out the results in the regular season. If Manchester City plans on winning any hardware this season, they should put all their focus into the Champions League. A solid team with a disappointing season.
KEY PLAYERS
FWD: @x CHAPARITO x, 6 G, 3 A
MID: @SOCCER SM 10, 4 G, 6 A
DEF: @marino swag, 1 G, 1 A, 7 CS
GK: @iCaSHSbMg, 12 saves on 16 shots, 3 GA

4. Crystal Palace
Diagnosis: You’re in then you’re out
5. Chelsea
Diagnosis: You’re up and you’re down
6. Manchester United
Diagnosis: Better luck next year
7. Leicester City
Diagnosis: We don’t talk anymore
8. Aston Villa
Diagnosis: Is it too late now to say sorry?

Bundesliga
1. Bayern Munich
Diagnosis: Ain’t no mountain high enough!
Sitting atop of the regular season table thus far, Munich has had a great week. Despite losing one game in Week 2, this team is clearly the strongest in the Bundesliga until proven otherwise and is the title favorite heading into Week 3.
KEY PLAYERS
FWD: @iMMuNiiTy, 9 G
MID: @Fatal Enjoyment, 3 G, 6 A, 4 CS
DEF: @Risxn, 2 A, 7 CS
GK: @Bauer l 43 l, 51 Saves on 62 shots, 11 GA

2. Bayer Leverkusen
Diagnosis: 2015 Carolina Panthers
A solid team all around, Leverkusen finds itself second in power rankings this week. Bayer pulled off two nights of six points, but availability issues could cause this team to lose focus and drop in the standings. Leverkusen is wading in sketchy waters going into week 3.
KEY PLAYERS
FWD: @DopeyTeddyBear, 11 G, 3 A, @Unlucky Dustin, 11 G, 5 A
MID: @Senor Dazza, 2 G, 5 A, 7 CS
DEF: @PineapplePotPie, 1 G, 4 A, 6 CS
G: @Farley x, 16 saves on 20 shots, 6 GA

3. Werder Bremen
Diagnosis: Wish we turn back time, to the good old days
Bremen is another good team on paper, but this team hasn’t stuck out anywhere. Maybe after winning too many accolades, Bitetto02 has just gotten tired of the spotlight, because he’s nonexistent this season. I expect a mid to top-table finish for this team, in all competitions, going into Week 3.
KEY PLAYERS
FWD: @Bitetto02, 6 G, 2 A
MID: @iExecute Panda, 3 G, 6 A, 6 CS
DEF: @HemligKrigaren, 2 G, 6 CS
GK: @Inform Vidal, 29 saves on 17 shots, 7 GA

4. Borussia Dortmund
Diagnosis: Ooooohhhhhh living on a prayer
5. Stuttgart
Diagnosis: But now we’re stressed ooouuut
6. Hoffenhiem
Diagnosis: Just have fun with it
7. Schalke 04
Diagnosis: A tornado flew around my room before you came
8. Wolfsburg
Diagnosis: We’re just here so you can get free wins

Week 2 Starting XI

By iS1CK l2l
LGFA Reporter
Formation: 3-5-2
LS: @xWDx VOLZ, Dortmund, 10 G, 3 A
RS: @DosXeP1C, Spurs, 10 G, 1 A
CAM: @iExecute Panda, Bermen, 3 G, 5 A
LM: @lYl 0 N 3 Y z, Chelsea, 4 G, 2 A
RM: @Midget l 23, Dortmund, 2 G, 5 A
LDM: @B1end x, Hoffenhiem, 3 G, 2 CS
RDM: @Lilkooks, Bayern, 3 CS
LCB: @Skillaache, Dortmund, 3 CS, 1 G
CB: @Risxn, Bayern, 3 CS
RCB: @l Trae l, Liverpool, 1 G, 2 A, 1 CS
GK: @Bauer l 43 l, Bayern, 22 SV on 31 shots, 9 GA, 3 CS
Reserves
FWD: @K inG x NeymaR, Liverpool, 8 G, 4 A
FWD: @xMoBxGeTxMoNeYx, Crystal Palace, 5 G, 3 A
MID: @l THiZz l, Bermen, 3 G, 1 A
MID: @SOCCER SM 10, Manchester City, 3 G, 1 A
DEF: @ttitito, Dortmund, 3 CS, 1 A
GK: @CKlassen, Liverpool, 22 SV on 34 Shots, 12 GA, 1 CS

 

Great job guys good read