Season 7 Preview

With Season 7 just around the corner, all the teams from World 90 are gearing up for what they hope to be a championship season. The FC Winnipeg Royal Lions are looking to be serious championship contenders in Canada this year, as they hope to bring home their first national championship. They also look forward to defending their World 90 Championship title in the second World 90 Champions Tournament.

Here is the Royal Lions' schedule for the tournament:

12/21: @ North Eastman Athletic Club (#8 Canada)
12/23: @ Great Plains FC (#7 USA)

12/24: @ Paisly Scorpions (#1 Scotland)

12/25: Vs Paisly Scorpions

12/26: Vs Great Plains FC

12/26: Vs North Eastman Athletic Club

Expect to see these off-season signings, highlighted by star midfielder Pemton Florent, on the team this season:

27 year old - Herbert Hamner (Canada) D - $216,000 p/y 1-year

30 year old - Dirk-Heijndrikse Dierckx (Netherlands) D - $150,000 p/y 1-year

27 year old - Pemton Florent (Canada) M - $460,000 p/y 1-year

27 year old - Gerald King (Canada) M - $350,000 p/y 1-year

25 year old - Midas Hardy (Netherlands) D - $90,000 p/y 3-year (Transfer from Hamlet FC for $50,000)

It was the first time the FCW Lions' players could be reached for comment since the end of last season. Here are the comments:

Trevion Collins: "I think we have high expectations for the team this year, more so than in previous years. We made a lot of key signings that will strengthen our midfield and defense. We brought in some key players such as Florent who will be able to command play, and quarterback us both offensively, and defensively at the same time. With that being said, I think we are ready for our first national championship."

Vibert Caravallo: "Some of us are going to be in a constant battle for starting positions. I played in 35 of the 38 games last year, and now I am projected to be on the bench for the first game. Other guys are in the same position and it is frustrating, but at the same time, it promotes a healthy competition between teammates."

Alex Stewart: "I'm in my fifth year of contract with the team and haven't played a game. **** it. They have made it clear I will be released at the end of the season. I only wanted to be part of professional soccer for the partying anyway."

"Alex said that?" questioned 19-year old keeper Boudewijn Martha. "I'm not surprised, I never even saw him at practice last year. The other 25 guys are all committed to excellence however, we hope to bring home a national championship, along with the World 90 championship in my sophomore season."

The pricing of free agents was a question both the owner and Sébastien Bruce were willing to tackle.

"I should have waited a couple of years before signing with anyone," said Bruce who is currently earning $88k p/y. "I've seen guys my caliber sign for upwards of $500k! It is crazy."

"We did pay one or two free agents this season more than we would have liked, but we had the money and we needed to get the deals done," stated owner Tute_Fruy. "The inflation in the market this off-season was tremendous."

Be sure to catch the FCW Lions when they kick off the regular season 12/22 Vs intermilania.