Conquering the Americas

Recent Fixtures

[imgw]http://img693.imageshack.us/img693/6513/2012p1fixturescc22.jpg[/imgw]

Columbian Cup

[imgw]http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/5890/2012cc3start.jpg[/imgw]

League Table

[imgw]http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/5017/2012p2leaguetable11.jpg[/imgw]

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My team is falling apart at the seams! As of this writing, I'm missing a starter and two key subs. That's putting a ton of strain on my team and it's showing on the pitch. In league play, we hung on valiantly to a top 8 position but as injuries piled up we couldn't maintain form. With only 7 games to go we're still within a strong finishing run of 8th place (4 points back).

We're doing much better in the Columbian Cup and have just advanced to the third round. We couldn't manage that without casualties, however, as I lost two more players due to card limits.

One of these days I'll learn to keep my mouth shut, especially about injuries. I don't even care about the 2-2 draw we earned against America de Cali in the first leg. My brand new fullback is now injured and the initial estimate is 4 weeks. For Christ's sake, I'm running out of defenders. I'm so pissed, I don't want to update anything else.

Recent Fixtures

[imgw]http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/8547/2012p2fixturesfinal.jpg[/imgw]

Columbian Cup

[imgw]http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/9587/2012ccfinal.jpg[/imgw]

League Table

[imgw]http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/2306/2012p2leaguetablefinal.jpg[/imgw]

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A season that looked ripe with promise has come to an end. In looking back, my initial complaints of coming so close - almost getting into the phase 2 playoff and almost advancing into the semifinal round of the Columbian Cup - finally give way to the feeling of accomplishment. As a first-year team in Division 1, we almost got into the phase 2 playoff and almost advanced into the semifinal round of the Columbian Cup.

Going into our second year of Division 1 play, we have plenty to be optimistic about. Our first year results were fantastic. I promised the board that we would avoid relegation and we did that comfortably. Regardless of how the playoffs shake out, we should finish in the middle of the table and nowhere near the relegation line.

We're flush with cash after our huge outgoing transfer and we have a new stadium that will be complete on 5.1.2013. This bodes well for us in terms of finances and that will hopefully translate into more funds available to help bolster the team. I also had another humongous offer that was sent late to me in the season. It was a loan with a view to a buy for another one of my fullbacks and I wasn't ready to entertain the offer at the time.

Priorities going forward will be to continue reinforcing the club with more talent and depth. We currently field a pretty solid starting eleven with seven subs, but injuries showed how bad our overall depth was. I also need to find out how, if it's possible, to get a Reserve and U20 club added to our primary team. I'm looking forward to the upcoming seasons as we continue to press onward.

I'll leave you all with snapshots of my starting eleven and my transfer history at season's end.

Starting Eleven - end of season

[imgw]http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/9034/2012startingelevenend.jpg[/imgw]

Transfer Table - end of season

[imgw]http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/718/2012transfersend.jpg[/imgw]

If you haven't read about my age restriction issue, feel free to read this thread for background: link.

As of right now, I've resigned from Carlos Sarmiento and am on holiday until I get a job offer. I'm going to maintain my save in case someone can show me how to remove the age restriction on CArlos Sarmiento. Until then, however, this blog will move on with me at the helm of another team.