2020 United City F.C. season

The 2020 season is United City Football Club's 9th in existence and 4th season in the top flight of Philippine football. This also marks as the first season the club plays as United City, after MMC Sportz took over the management of the club, which was formerly known as Ceres–Negros.

United City
2020 season
OwnerMMC Sportz Asia
(from July)
ManagementLeo Rey V. Yanson
(Chairman; until July)
Michael Hosking
Eric M. Gottschalk
(Co-founders; from July)
Head CoachFrank Muescan (interim)
StadiumPanaad Stadium
(until July)
Philippines Football LeagueWinners
AFC Champions LeaguePlay-off round
AFC CupGroup stage (cancelled)
Top goalscorerLeague: Bienvenido Marañón (7)
All: Bienvenido Marañón (13)
Biggest win0–10 (Aug 28 v Maharlika Manila,
PFL Round 3)
Biggest defeat2–0 (Jan 28 v FC Tokyo,
AFC Champions League Play-off round)
← 2019
2021 →
All statistics correct as of November 12, 2020.

In addition to the Philippines Football League, United City as Ceres–Negros has also participated in the second-tier continental competition, the AFC Cup which was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. United City intended to continue on participating in the AFC Cup under its new name, if the cancelled continental competition have resumed play.

Players

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Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nat. Name Notes
1 GK   Anthony Pinthus (on loan from ADT) Second nationality:  
2 DF   Sean Kane
3 FW   Pocholo Bugas
5 MF   Mike Ott Second nationality:  
6 MF   Tristan Kit Robles
7 MF   Bienvenido Marañón
8 MF   Manny Ott Second nationality:  
9 MF   Takashi Odawara
10 MF   OJ Porteria Second nationality:  
11 DF   Miguel Clarino
12 MF   Stephan Schröck (captain) Second nationality:  
13 DF   Dennis Villanueva Second nationality:  
14 MF   Jorrel Aristorenas
15 DF   Arnie Pasinabo
17 FW   Robert Lopez Mendy
18 DF   Joshua Dutosme
22 DF   Jordan Jarvis Second Nationality:  
24 GK   Florencio Badelic Jr.
25 GK   Ronilo Bayan Jr.
29 MF   Hikaru Minegishi Second nationality:  
30 MF   Angélo Marasigan Second nationality:  

Updated to match played on November 9, 2020.

Transfers

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Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Transfers in

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Date Position Nationality Name Age From Type Ref.
December 20, 2019 FW/AM   Mark Hartmann 27   Nakhon Ratchasima Transfer [1]
December 20, 2019 MF   Arnie Pasinabo 33   Kaya–Iloilo Transfer [2]
December 20, 2019 MF   Hikaru Minegishi 28   Chiangmai United Transfer [1]
December 2019 DF   Amani Aguinaldo 24   PKNP Loan Return
December 31, 2019 DF   Joshua Grommen 23   Sukhothai Transfer [3]
February 6, 2020 MF   Manuel Ott 27   Ratchaburi Mitr Phol Transfer [4]
August 13, 2020 MF   Jordan Jarvis 22   Resources Capital Transfer [5]
August 13, 2020 GK   Anthony Pinthus 22   ADT Loan [6]
August 13, 2020 MF   Pocholo Bugas 18   Far Eastern University Transfer [7]
August 13, 2020 MF   Jorrel Aristorenas 26   Global Transfer [8]

Transfers out

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Date Position Nationality Name Age To Type Ref.
December 20, 2019 MF   Miguel Tanton 30 Unattached Free [1]
January 2, 2020 DF   Amani Aguinaldo 24   Trat Transfer [9]
January 7, 2020 DF   Carli de Murga 31   Chonburi Transfer [10]
January 7, 2020 FW   Charles Barberan [10]
February 22, 2020 FW/AM   Mark Hartmann 28   Petaling Jaya City Transfer [11][12]
June 1, 2020[note 1] FW/AM   James Younghusband 33 Retired [14]
DF   Joshua Grommen 23   Brisbane City Free [15][16]
DF   Jeffrey Christiaens 29 Unattached Free [17]
DF   Súper 28 Unattached Free
GK   Roland Müller 32 Unattached Free
MF   Dylan De Bruycker 22 Unattached Free
DF   Junior Muñoz 33 Unattached Free

Kits

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Supplier: Grand Sport (Ceres–Negros), Montè Athletics (United City) / Sponsor: Ceres Liner (Ceres–Negros), MARC Manila Regenerative Center (United City)

 
 
 
 
 
Ceres–Negros home (Asia)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ceres–Negros away (Asia)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
United City home (PFL)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
United City away (PFL)

Competitions

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Overview

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Philippines Football League

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Standings

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 United City (C, Q) 5 4 0 1 25 3 +22 12 Qualification for AFC Champions League group stage
2 Kaya–Iloilo (Q) 5 3 2 0 5 2 +3 11 Qualification for AFC Champions League qualifying play-offs
3 Azkals Development Team[a] 5 3 0 2 9 2 +7 9
4 Mendiola 1991 4 1 1 2 2 8 −6 4 Standby team for AFC Cup group stage[Note AFC]
5 Maharlika Manila (E) 5 1 0 4 2 19 −17 3
6 Stallion Laguna 4 0 1 3 3 12 −9 1
Updated to match(es) played on November 9, 2020. Source: PFL
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored
(C) Champions; (E) Eliminated from continental competitions; (Q) Assured a place of the AFC Cup
Notes:
  1. ^ The Azkals Development Team as a guest team for the PFL are ineligible to qualify for AFC club competitions.[18]
Notes
  • ^
    AFC: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines, the 2020 Copa Paulino Alcantara was cancelled by the Philippine Football Federation. As a result, the 2020 Philippines Football League runners-up will qualify for the AFC Champions League qualifying play-offs, and the third place team will qualify for the 2021 AFC Cup unless the PFL runners-up fail to qualify for the AFC Champions League.[19]
  • Results summary

    Overall Home Away
    Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts W D L GF GA GD W D L GF GA GD
    5 4 0 1 25 3  +22 12 2 0 0 9 0  +9 2 0 1 16 3  +13

    Last updated: November 9, 2020.
    Source: PFL

    Results by round

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    Round12345
    GroundHAAHH
    ResultWWWWL
    Position11111
    Updated to match(es) played on November 9, 2020. Source: PFL
    A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

    Matches

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    October 28, 2020 (2020-10-28) 1 United City 1–0 Azkals Development Team Carmona
    16:30 UTC+8 Mi. Ott   25' Stadium: PFF National Training Centre
    Referee: Rodney Leyble (Philippines)
    October 31, 2020 (2020-10-31) 2 Mendiola 1991 0–6 United City Carmona
    14:30 UTC+8 Marañón   12', 25', 44' (pen.)
    Lopez Mendy   38', 60'
    Mi. Ott   52' (pen.)
    Stadium: PFF National Training Centre
    Referee: Rodney Leyble (Philippines)
    November 3, 2020 (2020-11-03) 3 Maharlika Manila 0–10 United City Carmona
    20:00 UTC+8 Mi. Ott   16', 73'
    Marañón   19'
    Schröck   33'
    Porteria   39', 71', 75' (pen.)
    Lopez Mendy   49', 57', 63'
    Stadium: PFF National Training Centre
    Referee: Meliton Pelayo (Philippines)
    November 6, 2020 (2020-11-06) 4 United City 7–1 Stallion Laguna Carmona
    20:00 UTC+8 Mi. Ott   6', 54'
    Odawara   25'
    Marañón   58', 66', 71'
    Porteria   71'
    N'Dour   12' Stadium: PFF National Training Centre
    Referee: Meliton Pelayo (Philippines)
    November 9, 2020 (2020-11-09) 5 United City 1–2 Kaya–Iloilo Carmona
    19:30 UTC+8 Ma. Ott   83' Daniels   15'
    Mitchell  38'
    Stadium: PFF National Training Centre
    Referee: Clifford Daypuyat (Philippines)

    AFC Champions League

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    Qualifying play-offs

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    January 14, 2020 (2020-01-14) Preliminary Round 1 Ceres–Negros   3–2   Shan United Manila, Philippines
    19:30 UTC+8 Lopez Mendy   5'
    Marañón   40'
    Porteria   79'
    Zin Min Tun   73'
    Djawa   87'
    Stadium: Rizal Memorial Stadium[note 2]
    January 21, 2020 (2020-01-21) Preliminary Round 2 Port   0–1   Ceres–Negros Bangkok, Thailand
    19:00 UTC+7 Schröck   51' Stadium: PAT Stadium
    January 28, 2020 (2020-01-28) Play-off round FC Tokyo   2–0   Ceres–Negros Tokyo, Japan
    19:00 UTC+9
    Live Report
    Stats Report
    Stadium: Ajinomoto Stadium
    Attendance: 6,630
    Referee: Masoud Tufayelieh (Syria)

    AFC Cup

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    Group stage

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    The group stage draw was held on December 10, 2019 at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Ceres–Negros were drawn in Group G alongside Indonesian Liga 1 champions Bali United, Vietnamese V.League 1 third-placers[note 3] Than Quảng Ninh, and Cambodian C-League winners Svay Rieng who qualified via play-offs.[21]

    Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts CER TQN SVR BAL
    1   Ceres–Negros 3 2 1 0 10 2 +8 7 2–2 4–0 4–0
    2   Than Quảng Ninh 3 1 1 1 7 7 0 4 29 Sep 23 Sep 26 Sep
    3   Svay Rieng 3 1 0 2 3 9 −6 3[a] 26 Sep 1–4 2–1
    4   Bali United 3 1 0 2 5 7 −2 3[a] 23 Sep 4–1 29 Sep
    Source: AFC
    Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
    Notes:
    1. ^ a b Head-to-head points: Svay Rieng 3, Bali United 0.
    February 11, 2020 (2020-02-11) Matchday 1 Ceres–Negros   4–0   Svay Rieng Manila
    19:30 UTC+8
    Live Report
    Stats Report
    Stadium: Rizal Memorial Stadium[note 2]
    Attendance: 4,100[24]
    Referee: C. R. Srikrishna (India)
    February 25, 2020 (2020-02-25) Matchday 2 Ceres–Negros   2–2  Than Quảng Ninh Manila[note 4]
    18:00 UTC+7
    Live Report
    Stats Report
    Stadium: Rizal Memorial Stadium[note 2]
    Attendance: 5,078
    Referee: Mohd Amirul Izwan Yaacob (Malaysia)
    March 11, 2020 (2020-03-11) Matchday 3 Ceres–Negros   4-0   Bali United Manila
    19:30 UTC+8
    Live Report
    Stats Report
    Stadium: Rizal Memorial Stadium[note 2]
    Attendance: 0[note 5]
    Referee: Sadullo Gulmurodi (Tajikistan)
    September 23, 2020 (2020-09-23) Matchday 4 Bali United   Cancelled   Ceres–Negros Cẩm Phả
    --:-- UTC+8 Stadium: Cẩm Phả Stadium
    September 26, 2020 (2020-09-26) Matchday 5 Svay Rieng   Cancelled   Ceres–Negros Cẩm Phả
    --:-- UTC+6:30 Stadium: Cẩm Phả Stadium
    September 29, 2020 (2020-09-29) Matchday 6 Than Quảng Ninh   Cancelled   Ceres–Negros Cẩm Phả[note 4]
    --:-- UTC+7 Stadium: Cẩm Phả Stadium

    Notes

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    1. ^ A force majeure was invoked due to the COVID-19 pandemic, when United City was still known as Ceres–Negros and under the ownership of Leo Rey Yanson, which forced the termination of contract of all the club's players at the time. Departure of some of the players were announced or reported at a later date. When MMC Sportz Asia took over the club, and rename it as United City, it had to re-sign the club's players. Players who were eventually re-signed are not included in this table.[13]
    2. ^ a b c d Ceres–Negros played their home matches at Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila, instead of their regular home stadium Panaad Stadium, Bacolod, which is undergoing renovation.[22][23]
    3. ^ Hà Nội, the league champions and Vietnamese Cup winners, failed to obtain an AFC license (due to their U15 team not participating in the Vietnam National U15 Youth League), and therefore were not eligible for continental qualification. As a result, all AFC Champions League and AFC Cup berths are distributed to the remaining teams by league position: runners-up Ho Chi Minh City FC and third place Than Quảng Ninh.[20]
    4. ^ a b Due to the decision of the Vietnamese government to suspend sporting events in February in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the group stage matches which Vietnamese teams were supposed to host were switched with the corresponding away matches.[25]
    5. ^ The match between Ceres–Negros and Bali United in Manila was played behind closed doors due to a pandemic of COVID-19 in the Philippines.[26]

    References

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    1. ^ a b c Tupas, Cedelf (December 24, 2019). "Ceres Busmen seal two key additions for AFC". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on December 24, 2019. Retrieved 4 February 2020.
    2. ^ Sevilla, Jeremiah (December 21, 2019). "Ceres adds Hartmann, Minegishi, Pasinabo for AFC tourney". The Manila Times. Archived from the original on February 4, 2020. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
    3. ^ Davidson, John (January 2, 2020). "Aussie seals Philippines switch". FTBL. Archived from the original on January 2, 2020. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
    4. ^ "Philippines international Manny Ott returns to Ceres-Negros FC after Thai League 1 stint". FOX Sports Philippines. February 6, 2020. Archived from the original on February 7, 2020. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
    5. ^ "Resources Capital FC's Jordan Jarvis back home".
    6. ^ "Anthony Pinthus back home from ADT loan".
    7. ^ "Pocholo Bugas join from Far Eastern University".
    8. ^ "Jorrel Aristorenas joins from Global FC".
    9. ^ "Philippines defender Amani Aguinaldo joins Thai League 1 club Trat FC". Fox Sports Philippines. January 3, 2020. Archived from the original on January 4, 2020. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
    10. ^ a b Co, Adrian Stewart (January 10, 2020). "De Murga, Baberan end Ceres Negros stint". Panay News. Archived from the original on January 11, 2020. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
    11. ^ Azharie, Farah (February 21, 2020). "PJ City FC ready to make Super charge". New Straits Times. Archived from the original on February 23, 2020. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
    12. ^ Co, Adrian Stewart (February 24, 2020). "Hartmann exits Ceres". Bacolod: Watchmen Daily Journal. Archived from the original on February 26, 2020. Retrieved February 26, 2020.
    13. ^ "End of an Era: Ceres-Negros set for name, ownership change". Tiebreaker Times. July 8, 2020. Archived from the original on October 12, 2020. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
    14. ^ "Philippine Azkals winger James Younghusband retires from football".
    15. ^ "Aussie defender back home after Filipino nightmare".
    16. ^ Saldajeno, Ivan Stewart (August 7, 2020). "Ex-Ceres Negros player Grommen joins 2nd tier Aussie club". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
    17. ^ "Jeffrey-christiaens-leaves-azkals-ceres-negros-fc".
    18. ^ Co, Adrian Stewart (November 10, 2020). "ADT blank Stallion Laguna in PFL campaign ender". Panay News. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
    19. ^ Saldajeno, Ivan Stewart (28 May 2020). "PFF to submit protocols to GAB for possible PFL return". Philippine News Agency. Archived from the original on 13 September 2020. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
    20. ^ Bóng Đá Châu Á (October 8, 2019). "SỐC: Hà Nội FC mất suất tham dự AFC Champions League 2020 và AFC Cup 2020" (in Vietnamese). Fox Sports Vietnam. Archived from the original on October 25, 2019. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
    21. ^ Murillo, Michael Angelo (December 11, 2019). "AFC Cup 2020 group stage contenders revealed". BusinessWorld. Archived from the original on December 12, 2019. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
    22. ^ Adiong, Eugene (January 6, 2020). "Panaad closed for renovation". Bacolod. The Manila Times. Archived from the original on March 2, 2020. Retrieved March 2, 2020.
    23. ^ "Football: Ceres-Negros kicks off busy 2020 against Shan United". ABS-CBN News. January 7, 2020. Archived from the original on January 25, 2020. Retrieved March 2, 2020. For the first time in their brief history in continental competitions, the Busmen will be playing their home games at the Rizal Memorial Stadium as the Panaad Stadium is undergoing renovation.
    24. ^ Terrado, Jonas (February 12, 2020). "AFC Cup: Ceres-Negros opens campaign with convincing win over Cambodia's Svay Rieng". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on February 14, 2020. Retrieved February 14, 2020.
    25. ^ "AFC Cup 2020 ties of Ho Chi Minh City FC & Than Quang Ninh moved due to coronavirus fears". Fox Sports Asia. February 6, 2020. Archived from the original on February 8, 2020. Retrieved March 2, 2020.
    26. ^ Tupas, Cedelf (March 10, 2020). "Ceres-Negros to play AFC Cup match vs Bali United in empty stadium". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on March 11, 2020. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
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