Q2 & Q3: Double Bonus Article!

If you are one of those lucky enough to get your hands on the Q2 & Q3 Double Bonus Article, then you are probably reading this right now. As an update, the FC Winnipeg Royal Lions are having another competitive season, currently sitting in 3rd place with a record of 20-2-5 for a total of 62 points. They trail second place by only a point, and are nine points back of an undefeated Leo July. Captain Trevion Collins who has 11 goals in 21 games so far this season, was quite pleased with the team's work.

"Last year at this point in the season, things were looking ugly" stated Collins. "Mind you, we did turn around and finish with thirteen straight wins, but we are in a much better position now then we were then. We have to finish strong. Leo July is a great football squad, yet we are only nine points back. It is going to be tough, to top them, but it is still possible. Either way, we would love to fight for second to capture our third runner-up position for this club".

The FCW Lions are not having a bad World 90 Tournament at 2-2-2. Three years ago they won the tournament, however have failed to qualify for the playoffs since. They are currently in a very competitive pool that has a potential of a four way tie for first place with eight points. If the Boondock Saints beat Netherlands FC, chances are the FCW Lions will qualify due to +/-, if not, their hopes will be extinguished once again.

The top three scorers at Q3 are:
Loic Eglisfeld - 20
Curtis Gelbart - 11
Trevion Collins - 11

Eglisfeld leads the team with 20 goals, and will be around for at least three more years. He signed a contract extension, taking a pay cut to $1.75 mil in exchange for a hefty signing bonus.

"I was signed to a one year contract, so it was nice to get a deal done. When you see large contracts such as mine, those players often bounce to five teams in five years. While that is an adventure, it is nice to stay in one place. Winnipeg has been good to me, in return, I hope I will be able to use my offensive skill set to bring them home their first League Championship, or perhaps another World Championship. It is a great city, and a prestigious team." - Loic Eglisfeld

In other news, rumors have been swirling around that French manager Tuté Fruy may retire in the next few years. Perhaps an odd coincidence that it is set to be around the same time that future hall of fame forward Trevion Collins is set to retire. 35 year old Collins will have one year remaining on his contract at the end of the season.

Fruy commented "I would absolutely love to pick up a league championship before retirement, but so does every manager. Years are running thin, but my main focus is the team right now. Retirement plans will only be thought off in a year or two during the off-season". Fruy also added that he would likely buy in to the Dominicus Florinus Ownership Group, a group that owns four clubs internationally (FCW Lions, FCS Birds, FC Hiroshima, Halle), so that he can remain a part of the organization.

All in all, the FC Winnipeg Royal Lions are piecing together another successful season in which they hope will result in at least a second place finish.

"We will have to try hard" stated the young but talented goalkeeper Martha. "There have been a couple games this season where we don't finish, or we let the other team capitalize on few chances. If we fight hard the entire game, games like that won't happen, and only then will we be at the top".

We hope to see you at the MTS Centre for the FCW Lions next game on 5/8 Vs #10 Futbol Club De Montreal (14-6-7).