About Us — "THE LEAGUE"
"MISSION STATEMENT"
"THE LEAGUE" is an amateur first professional soccer league ("AM-PRO"), "THE LEAGUE" aspires to connect communities, regions, and the world in a competitive yet fun sporting environment
"OUR STORY"
"THE LEAGUE" came about naturally when founder Gianni Canaletich (@commissionergian) arranged a soccer match between his friends and a rival friend group in the summer of 2020, word soon spread around town and Gianni gathered 4 other captains who created their own teams, Gianni built a schedule and league format and the first "THE LEAGUE" season was underway, after a successful regular season the teams went into the playoffs and collectively decided they should play for a cash prize as well as a trophy with local significance thus the tradition of a cash grand prize and their "THE LEAGUE" trophy "THE HAMPTON SHIELD" was born. on the scheduled day of "THE LEAGUE FINAL" I August 4th 2020 the remnants of Hurricane Isaias hit Garden City early in the AM with tropical storm conditions knocking down trees and causing a power outage for most of the village, despite fears the game could not be played it miraculously cleared up with beautiful clear skies replacing almost instantaneously the smothering overcast, the show went on and received a massive turnout from "THE LEAGUE" members and spectators, Out of Office FC would defeat RK FC 2-1 in a golden goal OT thriller and the game finished in the dark, after the game it was unanimously decided amongst Gianni and the captains that "THE LEAGUE" will become a yearly tradition for the village. 6 years later the first and second "THE LEAGUE" expansion leagues would come to fruition in Charleston SC and Savannah GA, "THE LEAGUE" is currently seeking international expansion in hopes for a global "THE LEAGUE" tournament featuring all of "THE LEAGUE" winners.
"TRADITIONS"
- each "THE LEAGUE" has its own signature trophy - each "THE LEAGUE" season happens only once yearly - there are no draws in "THE LEAGUE". If a regular season game is tied at full-time the teams go straight to penalties - each "THE LEAGUE" season is 6 regular season games followed by "QUARTERFINALS", "SEMIFINALS" and "THE LEAGUE FINAL" - each "THE LEAGUE FINAL" winner is awarded a cash prize for winning the tournament funded by player buy-ins (65%) - the Most Valuable Player trophy is always to be a door with "THE LEAGUE" written on it ("THE LEAGUE ON DOOR")