New Jerseys Unveiled

Yesterday, the FC Winnipeg Royal Lions released what will be their new set of jerseys for season 11. Both Eglisfield, and Cabese were there to sport the new look, and sign autographs for many eager fans. Here are how the new jerseys (left) compare to the old jerseys (right).
L-R (New-Old)

"I think it's exciting," said Eglisfield. "It is something to get the fans more involved. It's a sleek new look, maybe it will make me more aerodynamic! With that said, we still want to win another championship. We might look good on the field with these new kits, but we need to continue to play good".

"It's good for the fans I agree," Cabese added. "It is another reason to celebrate this team, and to get behind them for what should be another exciting season".

One excited fan who wished to remain anonymous commented on the jersey by saying "I am glad they didn't make any drastic changes to the jerseys. It keeps the same traditional look, the familiar look, and modernizes it slightly. It's a very nice upgrade. It keeps the look we all liked, and adds to it".

The auctions were also a success, raising large amounts of money for charity. The overall reception of the FCW Lion's new look seemed to be positive and only a day later, record numbers of jerseys are flying off the shelves. Be sure to pick up yours before the home opener!

Q1: Season 11 Preview; New Jerseys, Same Team

Coming off a Canadian Championship in season 10, the FC Winnipeg Royal Lions management have decided to keep the team more or less the same as last year. Only three free agent signings were made, all of who will strengthen the depth of a strong Lions roster.

Here is the list of free agent signings by the FCW Lions this off-season:

31 year old - Lassana Douillard (Canada) GK - $196,000 p/y 1-year
30 year old - Dossevi Leeds (Canada) D - $256,000 p/y 1-year
29 year old - Layton Pichot (Canada) D - $126,000 p/y 1-year

Both Leeds and Pichot will see playing time off the bench, and will help to strengthen the depth at the defense position. Douillard will be the backup goalkeeper to Martha, and although he knows he will not be acquiring a lot of playing time, he could not pass up the opportunity to play for a championship caliber squad.

"Martha is one of the most talented young keepers I have seen play the game. At 31 years old, I have opted to choose a substitute role in order to be a mentor to a fantastic talent. In reality, it might be him who teaches me a few things though" Douillard said with a laugh. "I know I will not receive much playing time, I knew that coming in, but I could not pass up the opportunity to play with such talent, and have a chance at a championship ring".

In other news, long time backup goalkeeper Phil Digby was released, and announced his retirement shortly after. He started 131 games making 419 saves over eight seasons with the FCW Lions. "It was a good run, I love the city of Winnipeg, and loved the team. I feel the talent of the league has outgrown me, and at age 33, am ready to move onto other things" said Digby.

Many players were available for comment, including James Walton, who has won a Canadian Championship two years in a row. First with Leo July, now with the Royal Lions.

"I think we have all had a good off season. Training has started up and everybody seems to be in shape. In this day and age, teams are ever changing. It is nice to see the same faces back again this year. It helps the chemistry, and I know from the past two years, teams do in fact need chemistry to bring home the title" - James Walton

Captain Trevion Collins who turned 37 years old last week agreed. "We all had fun celebrating the championship, but now it is back to work. It's nice to see familiar faces, this is a good team, there was no reason to make major changes. I can't wait for the season to begin, I feel we can challenge for another title. If the race is as tight as last season, it should be exciting" said Collins.

23 year old Boudewijn Martha now has both a league championship, and a world championship in just five years with the Lions. "I play football because it's fun, I enjoy it, and I love the sport. It is more fun when you win however. I challenge myself to play my best every game, and give my team a chance to win week in and week out. We all need to play our best. I need to make the saves, Eggy (Eglisfield) has to score, Cabby (Cabese) has to defend. Everyone else needs to do their job as well. Last year it was a whole team effort to win a championship. This year will be no different" Martha stated.

Rumors swirling around a new set of jerseys for the team were confirmed, and should add to the excitement of the new season. The new jerseys will be unveiled tomorrow in the press grounds of the MTS Centre. Fans are welcome to join the team in the announcement. Loic Eglisfield, and Loïc Cabese will be present to help unveil, and try on the new jerseys. They will be signing autographs, and we will be auctioning off two brand new FCW Lions jerseys signed by the two players. All funds will go to charity.

An important date to put on your calender is 7/27, the FC Winnipeg Royal Lions season opener against Fantasista Futbal Club. The Lions' home opener is on 7/28 against LJ Gang Green, the second place team that finished a single point behind the Royal Lions last year. It is highlighted to be one of the best games all year so get your tickets, the game is almost sold out!

Q2-Q4: The Championship Journey

The FC Winnipeg Royal Lions are Season 10 Canadian League Champions! They began the season 19-1-0 before finally losing, and showed the type of dominant play needed to win a championship all season long . They pumped out wins week after week, but despite posting a 33-2-3 record, with a +/- of +118, clinching the title was no easy feat. Leo July, former champions, forced the Royal Lions to play dominant football each and every day finishing second, only a single point behind. Third place Boondock Saints who finished only four points behind in the standings also fought hard to challenge for the title, beating the FCW Lions 3-2 in the second last game of the season to prevent the Royal Lions from clinching the title a week early.

The dominant season came down to a final game against ninth ranked AS Forza. After easily winning the first meeting 6-1, the Royal Lions may have felt the pressure. They were played close the whole game, and the lone strike by defender Cabese in the 69th minute managed to hold up for the game winner, and championship clincher.

"It is unreal," stated Cabese. "We had confidence going into the final game against AS Forza, but they played us really well. Martha had to make some good saves early on to keep us in it. About my goal, I just ran up to the top of the box and got the ball. I was on one foot so I had to swing my leg around to get a good shot, it managed just to curve by the keeper."

Some might forget however the 33rd game of the season where the FC Winnipeg Royal Lions faced off against Leo July after tying their first match 2-2 earlier in the season. After Searcy received a red card in the 30th minute, and LJ Green took a 1-0 lead five minutes later, the FCW Lions had a large hole to climb out of, against a great team. Gelbart scored in the 71st minute to tie the game, before Lorenco won it on a goal two minutes later. The stadium erupted as the team seemed to do the impossible, and win a game which in the end, won them a championship.

Young goalkeeper Martha, who won a world championship with the FCW Lions at age 18, now has his first league championship at only age 22. He was a big factor in the championship win, conceding only twenty goals all season long. His six save clean sheet in the final game of the season was needed to win 1-0.

"This is amazing. I do not think it has really set in yet. I felt confident all game long, all season long really. This is a great team. I don't know what else to say, it's awesome," said Martha.

The top three scorers at the end of the season are:
Loic Eglisfeld - 26
Curtis Gelbart - 22
Loïc Cabese - 15

The Royal Lions leading scorer Loic Eglisfield sat out the final game due to flu like symptoms, however was celebrating as much as he could after the game. "I still feel sick symptom wise. Yet I have the best feeling in the world at the same time. I knew I had the chance to be called in, but Cabby showed why he's one of the best offensive d-men in the world when he put in that ball."

Manager Tute Fruy thanked all the players individually after the game, and stated "there is nothing to say. The players did it, and earn it, congratulations to all of them. This is simply fantastic".

Although this championship means a lot to all players, perhaps none wanted it more than team captain Trevion Collins. Although Collins was considered to be playing 'off the bench', he still made 21 appearances scoring 8 goals, and started in the final match of the season. He's played in all of the Royal Lions' eight seasons and is finally rewarded.

"This is it. This is what we play for. I've been with this team since the start, and it feels sweet. It's still a little unbelievable. I'm the captain, I am supposed to be able to find words, but right now I can't. This and the Season 6 World Championship, there is nothing that compares. There is nothing quite like when hard work pays off. What a year, and what a team to play for".

The FC Winnipeg Royal Lions smashed club records for most goals for (142), least goals conceded (24), and +/- (+ 118), and earned a championship title in dominant, and exciting fashion.

Season 10 Results:

World 90 Canada - 33-2-3, +118, Champions

Stay tuned for a Q1 article which will deliver next season's preview for the team. In the meantime, celebrate the championship! Congrats to the FC Winnipeg Royal Lions for winning the Season 10 Canadian League Championship!