2020 Philippines Football League

{{short description|4th season of the Philippines Football League}}

{{Use Philippine English|date=February 2023}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2020}}

{{Infobox football league season

| competition = Philippines Football League

| season = 2020

| dates = {{nowrap|October 28 – November 9, 2020}}

| winners = United City
4th title

| continentalcup1 = AFC Champions League

| continentalcup1 qualifiers = United City
Kaya–Iloilo

| continentalcup2 = AFC Cup

| continentalcup2 qualifiers =

| matches = 15

| total goals = 46

| league topscorer section = Top goalscorers

| league topscorer = Bienvenido Marañón
(7 goals)

| best goalkeeper = Anthony Pinthus
Louie Casas
(3 clean sheets each)

| highest scoring = {{nowrap|Maharlika Manila 0–10 United City}}
(November 3)

| longest wins = {{nowrap|United City (Oct 28 – Nov 6)}}
(4 matches)

| longest unbeaten = {{nowrap|Kaya–Iloilo (Oct 28 – Nov 9)}}
(5 matches)

| longest winless = {{nowrap|Stallion Laguna (Oct 31 – Nov 12)}}
(5 matches)

| longest losses = {{nowrap|Stallion Laguna (Nov 6 – 12)}}
(3 matches)

| highest attendance =

| lowest attendance =

| average attendance =

| prevseason = 2019

| nextseason = 2021
2022–23

}}

The 2020 Philippines Football League, also known as The Philippines Football League brought to you by Qatar Airways,{{cite news |title=Philippines Football League Embarks On Path To Return Of Competition |url=http://pff.org.ph/2020/07/13/philippines-football-league-embarks-on-path-to-return-of-competition/ |access-date=July 13, 2020 |publisher=Philippine Football Federation |date=July 13, 2020}} due to the league's title sponsorship, was the fourth season of the Philippines Football League (PFL), the professional football league of the Philippines.

For the first time, the champion of the tournament qualified for the Group Stage of the 2021 AFC Champions League, which was expanded to 40 teams from previous 32.

Originally scheduled to start on March 21, 2020, the league was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The league was supposed to commence on October 25, 2020, under a shortened calendar with each club playing a total of only five matches. However the opener was postponed once again to October 28 due to five players and a coach testing positive for COVID-19, as well as due to anticipated inclement weather by Typhoon Molave (Quinta).

All matches were held at the PFF National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite. The 2020 season played under a bubble format with all players and staff restricted to the Seda Nuvali hotel in Santa Rosa, Laguna, where they were checked-in for the entire duration of the season, and the playing venue in Carmona.

United City, which had been rebranded from Ceres–Negros starting this season, are the three-time defending champions. As Ceres–Negros, they have won every season of top-tier Philippine professional league football so far in the PFL era. They successfully defended their title when they won 7–1 against Stallion Laguna on November 6, 2020, with one match to spare and winning its previous three matches.{{cite news |last1=del Carmen |first1=Lorenzo |title=United City remains as king of PFL |url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/united-city-remains-as-king-of-pfl/194917 |access-date=November 6, 2020 |work=Tiebreaker Times |date=November 6, 2020}} Kaya–Iloilo became the first-ever team in PFL history to remain unbeaten during the duration of the league and not win the title.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic

{{see also|Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Philippine sports}}

=Postponement=

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the league's commencement, originally scheduled for March 21, was postponed at two times. First, the league's opening match was moved to April 18,{{cite news |title=PFF AND PFL STATEMENT – POSTPONEMENT OF PHILIPPINES FOOTBALL LEAGUE SEASON 2020 |url=http://pfl.org.ph/pff-pfl-statement-postponement-philippines-football-league-season-2020/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200520025949/http://pfl.org.ph/pff-pfl-statement-postponement-philippines-football-league-season-2020/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 20, 2020 |access-date=March 13, 2020 |publisher=Philippines Football League |date=March 13, 2020 }} and was later moved again to late-May.{{cite news |last1=Saldajeno |first1=Ivan Stewart |title=PH Football League resets season anew to May |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1098722 |access-date=April 4, 2020 |work=Philippine News Agency |date=April 3, 2020}} The league adopted a double home-and-away format for the 2020 seasons, with each club playing against each other four times for a total of 60 matches.{{cite news |last1=Murillo |first1=Michael Angelo |title=PFL remains upbeat despite new season start pushed back twice |url=https://www.bworldonline.com/pfl-remains-upbeat-despite-new-season-start-pushed-back-twice/ |access-date=April 9, 2020 |work=BusinessWorld |date=April 6, 2020}}

The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) is planning to start the league on July 15 with practice sessions for the league's member clubs planned to commence on June 15. The PFF has submitted a 27-page document outlying the protocols on how to organize the league amidst the pandemic to the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) on May 30 for approval prior to sending the same to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) on June 1.{{cite news |last1=Saldajeno |first1=Ivan Stewart |title=PFF to submit protocols to GAB for possible PFL return |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1104136 |access-date=May 28, 2020 |work=Philippine News Agency |date=May 28, 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Morales |first1=Luisa |title=Philippine football eyes return to pitch |url=https://www.philstar.com/sports/2020/06/03/2018447/philippine-football-eyes-return-pitch |access-date=June 3, 2020 |work=The Philippine Star |date=June 3, 2020}}

The IATF-EID announced on July 3, that it has allowed the clubs of the PFL to conduct training.{{cite web |title=PFF Advisory: IATF Approves Training For PFL Teams |url=http://pff.org.ph/2020/07/03/pff-advisory-iatf-approves-training-for-pfl-teams/ |publisher=Philippine Football Federation |access-date=July 3, 2020 |date=July 3, 2020}}{{cite news |title=PBA, PFF plan next steps after IATF gives go-signal to restart |url=https://www.espn.in/basketball/pba/story/_/id/29402939/pba-pff-plan-next-steps-getting-iatf-approval |access-date=July 3, 2020 |work=ESPN5 |date=July 3, 2020}} The PFF plans to start the season on August 15.{{cite news |last1=Saldajeno |first1=Ivan Stewart |title=PFL eyes August start to new season |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1108176 |access-date=July 7, 2020 |work=Philippine News Agency |date=July 7, 2020}} Staff and players of the member PFL clubs underwent RT-PCR testing for COVID-19 on July 8, 2020.{{cite news |title=PFF Conducts RT-PCR Testing For PFF Staff And PFL Clubs |url=http://pff.org.ph/2020/07/09/pff-conducts-rt-pcr-testing-for-pff-staff-and-pfl-clubs/ |access-date=July 9, 2020 |work=Philippine Football Federation |date=July 9, 2020}}

A joint administration order by GAB, the Department of Health, and the Philippine Sports Commission{{cite news |last1=Saldajeno |first1=Ivan |title=PBA, PFL still waiting for admin order for practice return |url=https://www.dugout.ph/pba-pfl-still-waiting-for-admin-order |access-date=July 22, 2020 |work=Dugout Philippines |date=July 22, 2020 }}{{Dead link|date=February 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} was released within the July 2020, but start of training was postponed due to the re-imposition of modified enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila and nearby provinces from August 4 to 18.{{cite news |last1=Bacnis |first1=Justin |title=Hope up for pro leagues as Metro Manila put under GCQ |url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/hope-up-for-pro-leagues-as-metro-manila-put-under-gcq/188196 |access-date=August 18, 2020 |work=Tiebreaker Times |date=August 18, 2020}} GAB and the IATF allowed the league to start.{{cite news |last1=Pedralvez |first1=Manolo |title=Football: Pro sports regulator GAB OKs PFL opening on Oct. 24 |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/10/09/20/football-pro-sports-regulator-gab-oks-pfl-opening-on-oct-24 |access-date=October 9, 2020 |work=ABS-CBN News |date=October 9, 2020}} The PFF spent an estimated amount of {{Philippine peso|6 million}} just to start the postponed season.{{cite news |last1=Suyu |first1=Ian |title=PFL season costs P6M |url=https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2020/10/15/pfl-season-costs-p6m/amp/?__twitter_impression=true |access-date=October 15, 2020 |work=Daily Tribune |date=October 14, 2020}}

The kickoff of the league on October 25 was postponed due to expected inclement weather conditions caused by Typhoon Molave (Quinta).{{cite news |last1=Morales |first1=Luisa |title=PFL postpones kickoff due to COVID-19 positive tests, inclement weather |url=https://www.philstar.com/sports/2020/10/25/2052189/pfl-postpones-kickoff-due-covid-19-positive-tests-inclement-weather |access-date=October 25, 2020 |work=Philippine Star |date=October 25, 2020}} Also nine people including five players and a coach from two clubs tested positive for COVID-19.{{cite news |last1=Terrado |first1=Reuben |title=PFL postponing season opener as nine personnel test COVID-19 positive |url=https://www.spin.ph/football/pfl/pfl-postponing-season-opener-as-nine-personnel-test-covid-19-positive-a795-20201024 |access-date=October 25, 2020 |work=Sports Interactive Network Philippines |date=October 25, 2020 |language=en}} The league organizers maintained that the disease has been contained{{cite news |last1=del Carmen |first1=Lorenzo |title=PFL's Carmona bubble to open on Wednesday |url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/pfls-carmona-bubble-open-wednesday/193216 |access-date=October 25, 2020 |work=Tiebreaker Times |date=October 25, 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Terrado |first1=Reuben |title=PFL bubble season finally kicks on Wednesday with a rejigged sked |url=https://www.spin.ph/football/pfl/pfl-bubble-season-finally-kicks-on-wednesday-with-a-rejigged-sked-a795-20201026 |access-date=October 26, 2020 |work=Sports Interactive Network Philippines |date=October 26, 2020 |language=en}} and the season began on October 28, 2020.{{cite news |last1=del Carmen |first1=Lorenzo |title=Mike Ott's Wonder Strike Lifts 10-Man United City Over ADT |url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/mike-otts-wonder-strike-lifts-10-man-united-city-over-adt/193666 |access-date=October 28, 2020 |work=Tiebreaker Times |date=October 28, 2020}}

=Format changes=

Due to the league's postponement, the league for the 2020 season feature a shortened calendar to be played under a single round-robin format, instead of a double round-robin format{{cite news |last=Terrado, Jonas|title=PFL to roll with single-round format |url=https://mb.com.ph/2020/07/09/pfl-to-roll-with-single-round-format/ |access-date=July 9, 2020 |work=Manila Bulletin |date=July 9, 2020}} with each team playing only five matches for the whole season.{{cite news |title=PFL reverts back to league format for Carmona bubble season |url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/pfl-reverts-back-to-league-format-for-carmona-bubble-season/191804 |access-date=October 14, 2020 |work=Tiebreaker Times |date=October 14, 2020}} Several situational calendars have been prepared for the planning of the league's schedule.

There was a prior plan to adopt a playoff finals consisting of a semifinals and finals phase after the regular season. The league last had a playoff finals in the 2017 season which was known as the Final Series.{{cite news |last1=Saldajeno |first1=Ivan |title='Finals Series' makes comeback in PFL bubble |url=https://www.dugout.ph/2020/10/finals-series-makes-comeback-in-pfl.html |access-date=October 11, 2020 |work=Dugout Philippines |date=October 9, 2020}} This plan was scrapped in favor of a shorter schedule to minimize injury risk for the league's players.{{cite news |last1=Lozada |first1=Bong |title=All set for condensed PFL bubble |url=https://sports.inquirer.net/406484/all-set-for-condensed-pfl-bubble |access-date=October 14, 2020 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=October 14, 2020}}

The Copa Paulino Alcantara for the 2020 season was cancelled due to the time constraints caused by the postponement of the league. Due to this, the league second placers will qualify for the 2021 AFC Champions League playoffs scheduled for February 2021.{{cite news |last1=Cabanlong |first1=Xy-Zha |title=PFF prexy Nonong Araneta hopeful on football's return in PH |url=https://www.dugout.ph/2020/05/pff-president-nonong-araneta-hopeful-on.html|access-date=May 28, 2020 |work=Dugout Philippines |date=May 27, 2020}}

=Bubble=

{{OSM Location map

| title=PFL Bubble venues

| coord={{coord|14.265601|121.048816}}

| float=right| zoom =10

| width = 250 | height = 150

| mark-coord1 = {{coord|14|17|41.7|N|121|2|20|E}}

| mark-title1 = PFF National Training Center

| shape1=n-circle

| shape-color1=#662046

| shape-outline1=#FFFFFF

| mark-size1=16

| mark-coord2 = {{coord|14|14|18.2|N|121|03|34.4|E}}

| mark-title2 = Seda Nuvali

| caption =

| auto-caption=1

}}

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic players and staff of the PFL for the 2020 season were confined in a "bubble" setup. For the duration of the season they will only be allowed at the Seda Nuvali hotel in Santa Rosa, Laguna where they were checked-in and the PFF National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite where training and league matches were held. Players and staff underwent a series of test prior and shortly after entering the "bubble".

==Schedule==

The PFL bubble followed the schedule below:{{cite news |last1=Terrad |first1=Reuben |title=PFL set for compact season on October 25 with strict protocols |url=https://www.spin.ph/football/pfl/pfl-set-for-compact-season-on-october-25-with-strict-protocols-a795-20201014 |access-date=October 14, 2020 |work=Spin.ph |date=October 14, 2020 |language=en}}

class="wikitable"
Stage/roundDate(s)
Pre-bubble entry RT-PCR testingOctober 16
Entry into the PFL bubbleOctober 21{{cite news |last1=Terrado |first1=Reuben |title=Six PFL clubs now inside Sta. Rosa bubble for 2020 season |url=https://www.spin.ph/football/pfl/six-pfl-clubs-now-inside-bubble-for-2020-season-a795-20201022 |access-date=October 22, 2020 |work=Sports Interactive Network Philippines |date=October 22, 2020 |language=en}}
League matchesOctober 28 – November 9

The league final match day which was originally scheduled on November 12, 2020, was cancelled due to Typhoon Vamco (Ulysses).{{cite news |title='Ulysses' forces postponement of PFL finale |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1121549 |access-date=November 12, 2020 |work=Philippine News Agency |date=November 12, 2020 |language=en}}

Teams

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" align=right
Carmona, Cavite
PFF National Training Center
Capacity: 1,200
250px
{{Location map+ |Luzon mainland |width=250 |float=center |caption=Location of the PFF National Training Center.|places=

{{location map~ |Luzon |lat=14.295 |long=121.039 |position=left |label=Carmona}}

}}

Six clubs, including the Azkals Development Team, participated in the 2020 season.{{cite news |last1=Henson |first1=Joaquin |title=Football kicks forward |url=https://www.philstar.com/sports/2019/12/20/1978464/football-kicks-forward |access-date=December 20, 2019 |work=The Philippine Star |date=December 20, 2019}} Ceres-Negros rebranded as United City and competed under that name starting the 2020 season.{{cite news |last1=del Rosario |first1=Paolo |title=Ownership transfer official: Ceres Negros to rebrand to United City FC |url=https://tv5.espn.com/story/_/id/29521611/ceres-negros-rebrand-united-city-fc-ownership-transfer |access-date=July 23, 2020 |work=ESPN5 |date=July 23, 2020}} Green Archers United and Philippine Air Force decided not to participate for this season.{{cite news |last1=Saldajeno |first1=Ivan Stewart |title=Green Archers United begs off from PFL 2020 |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1090496 |access-date=January 10, 2020 |work=Philippine News Agency |date=January 9, 2020}} Newly formed Maharlika F.C. (later renamed Maharlika Manila F.C.) applied to join the league, which was eventually approved.{{cite news |title=Maharlika FC signifies intent to join the PFL |url=https://www.bworldonline.com/maharlika-fc-signifies-intent-to-join-the-pfl/ |access-date=August 7, 2020 |work=BusinessWorld |date=August 6, 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Saldajeno |first1=Ivan |title=Anton Del Rosario bares Maharlika Manila seeking PFL license |url=https://www.dugout.ph/2020/08/anton-del-rosario-bares-maharlika.html |access-date=August 7, 2020 |work=Dugout Philippines |date=August 6, 2020}} After a scandal involving Global F.C. refusing to pay their players' salaries, the PFF and PFL ordered Global to comply with the regulations and sort out all their payments within 10 days. After 10 days, Global had still not paid, and therefore their case was referred to the PFF's Club Licensing First Instance Body (FIB), and rendered them unable to compete in the 2020 season. Appropriate licensing fees for applicant clubs were waived due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

=Stadium=

Most league matches were originally planned to be held at the Rizal Memorial Stadium instead of the club's designated home stadiums for the 2020 season.{{cite news |last1=Saldajeno |first1=Ivan |title=Mendiola in talks with Imus city government for hosting PFL matches |url=https://www.dugout.ph/mendiola-in-talks-with-imus-city |access-date=March 2, 2020 |work=Dugout Philippines |date=February 29, 2020 }}{{Dead link|date=February 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} However, due to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, all matches were held at the PFF National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite, approximately {{convert|6.70|km|mi|sp=us}} south of Metro Manila.{{cite news |last1=Tupas |title=PFF eyes K-League as blueprint for PFL season start |url=https://sports.inquirer.net/393738/pff-eyes-k-league-as-blueprint-for-pfl-season-start |access-date=May 8, 2020 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=May 8, 2020}} The clubs were requested to hold their training sessions at the venue.{{cite news |last1=Tupas |first1=Cedelf |title=Taking its cue from the Bundesliga, PFL to apply own safety measures |url=https://sports.inquirer.net/394515/taking-its-cue-from-the-bundesliga-pfl-to-apply-own-safety-measures |access-date=May 19, 2020 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=May 19, 2020}}

The Rizal Memorial Stadium and the Biñan Football Stadium were ruled out as possible primary venues for the 2020 season due to the venues being close to COVID-19 quarantine/isolation facilities (at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum and the Alonte Sports Arena).

The Games and Amusements Board allowed training sessions to be held at the PFF National Training Center in Carmona and the Blue Pitch at the Circuit Makati in Makati, Metro Manila.{{cite news |last1=Pedralvez |first1=Manolo |title=Football: Gov't regulators satisfied with protocols set at PFL's Carmona training site |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/09/13/20/football-govt-regulators-satisfied-with-protocols-set-at-pfls-carmona-training-site |access-date=September 16, 2020 |work=ABS-CBN News |date=September 13, 2020}}

=Personnel and kits=

class="wikitable sortable"
Team

! Head coach

!Captain

!Kit manufacturer

!Sponsors

Azkals Development Team

|{{flagicon|IRE}} Scott Cooper

|{{flagicon|PHI}} Marvin Angeles

|{{flagicon|PHI}} LGR

|Alphaland Corporation, Stream Mobile

Kaya–Iloilo

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Yu Hoshide

|{{flagicon|PHI}} Jovin Bedic

|{{flagicon|GER}} Adidas

|LBC, Fitness First

Maharlika Manila

|{{flagicon|PHI}} Roxy Dorlas

|{{flagicon|PHI}} Jerry Barbaso

|{{flagicon|PHI}} Gameville Sportswear

|Philam Life, Reparil Ice-Spray, Arepa Nootropics

Mendiola 1991

|{{flagicon|PHI}} Dan Padernal

|{{flagicon|PHI}} Ashley Flores

|{{flagicon|IDN}} FAT

|Penson and Company, Focus Athletics

Stallion Laguna

|{{flagicon|PHL}} Ernest Nierras{{Ref|1|1}}

|{{flagicon|PHL}} Ruben Doctora

|{{flagicon|PHI}} Cutz Apparel

|Giligan's Restaurant, Pi Tracer, Airlock389

United City

|{{flagicon|ENG}} Trevor Morgan{{Ref|3|3}}

|{{flagicon|PHL}} Stephan Schröck

|{{flagicon|PHL}} Montè

|Manila Regenerative Center, Midas Magnesium, Gatorade

=Coaching changes=

class="wikitable sortable"
Team

! Outgoing coach

! Manner of departure

! Date of vacancy

! Position in table

! Incoming coach

! Date of appointment

Kaya–Iloilo

|{{Flagicon|PHI}} Noel Marcaida

| align="center"| End of Contract

| December 31, 2019{{cite news |last1=Co |first1=Adrian Stewart |title=Kaya bids farewell to Marcaida |url=https://www.panaynews.net/kaya-bids-farewell-to-marcaida/ |access-date=January 11, 2020 |work=Panay News |date=January 11, 2020}}

| rowspan="3" align="center" | Pre-season

| {{Flagicon|JPN}} Yu Hoshide{{Ref|2|2}}

| Unknown

United City

|{{Flagicon|SER}} Risto Vidaković

| align="center"| Force Majeure

| align="center"| July 8, 2020

| {{flagicon|ENG}} Trevor Morgan{{Ref|3|3}}

| August 21, 2020

Maharlika Manila

| None

| align="center"| N/A

| align="center"| N/A

| {{flagicon|PHI}} Roxy Dorlas

| August 24, 2020{{cite news |last1=Co |first1=Adrian Stewart |title=Maharlika FC unveils roster, head coach |url=https://www.panaynews.net/maharlika-fc-unveils-roster-head-coach/ |access-date=September 1, 2020 |work=Panay News |date=September 1, 2020}}

Interim coach

:1.{{Note|1}} {{flagicon|PHI}} Ernest Nierras was only able to join Stallion Laguna on November 2, 2020.{{cite news |last1=Saldajeno |first1=Ivan Stewart |title=Nierras arrives in PFL bubble ahead of Stallion-Kaya clash |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1120491 |access-date=November 3, 2020 |work=Philippine News Agency |date=November 3, 2020 |language=en}} Richard Leyble is Nierras' assistant coach.{{cite news |title=PFL: Maharlika Manila rallies to down Stallion-Laguna FC |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/10/31/20/pfl-maharlika-manila-rallies-to-down-stallion-laguna-fc |access-date=November 3, 2020 |work=ABS-CBN News |date=October 31, 2020 |language=en}}

:2.{{Note|2}} {{flagicon|PHI}} Oliver Colina was interim head coach for the 2020 AFC Cup. He took a leave-of absence from his original teams, Leylam FC and the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles.{{cite news|url=https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/286185/cebuano-colina-is-coach-of-kaya-fc|title=Cebuano Colina is coach of Kaya FC|publisher=Cebu Daily News|date=February 5, 2020|access-date=February 5, 2020}} Yu Hoshide took over sometime prior to the beginning of the season.

:3.{{Note|3}} {{flagicon|PHI}} Frank Muescan was named interim head coach by October 2020 prior to the start of the season due to Trevor Morgan not arriving yet despite being signed in as United City's coach.{{cite news |last1=Suyu |first1=Ian |title=Schrock ready to roll |url=https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2020/10/14/schrock-ready-to-roll/ |access-date=October 25, 2020 |work=Daily Tribune |date=October 14, 2020 |quote=Head coach Trevor Morgan is not yet around, but the squad remains composed, thanks to former Ceres mentor Frank Muescan manning to fort. |archive-date=October 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028205833/https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2020/10/14/schrock-ready-to-roll/ |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |title=Management |url=https://www.unitedcityfootballclub.com/management |website=United City Football Club |language=en |access-date=October 25, 2020 |archive-date=October 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025151050/https://www.unitedcityfootballclub.com/management |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |title=United City F.C. Official Coaches |url=https://twitter.com/UnitedCityFoot1/status/1317389923008303104/photo/2 |website=Twitter |publisher=United City F.C. |language=en}}

Foreign players

A maximum of four foreigners are allowed per club which follows the Asian Football Confederation's (AFC) '3+1 rule'; three players of any nationality and a fourth coming from an AFC member nation. However, the PFF waived the regulations for the 2020 season due to difficulties teams had in entering in the PFL bubble, such as player commitments and in-team COVID cases.

class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;"
style="width:200px;" | Club

! style="width:800px;" colspan=4| Players

! style="width:200px;" | Former Players{{Ref|1|1}}

Azkals Development Team

| colspan=4 align=center{{N/A|None}}

| {{flagicon|TRI}} Darryl Roberts

Kaya–Iloilo

| {{flagicon|JPN}} Daizo Horikoshi

| {{flagicon|TRI}} Carlyle Mitchell

| {{flagicon|JPN}} Masanari Omura

| {{flagicon|GHA}} Emmanuel Osei

| {{flagicon|JPN}} Takumi Uesato

Maharlika Manila

| {{flagicon|CMR}} Henri Bandeken

| {{flagicon|ESP}} Joaco Cañas{{cite news |last1=Saldejano |first1=Ivan Stewart |title=Maharlika Manila gets PFL license |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1114083 |access-date=September 2, 2020 |work=Philippine News Agency |date=September 2, 2020}}

| {{flagicon|DRC}} Gary Epesso

| {{flagicon|CMR}} Serge Kaole

| {{flagicon|BRA}} Daniel Matsunaga
{{flagicon|KOR}} Kim Sung-min

Mendiola 1991

| {{flagicon|GHA}} Stephen Appiah

| {{flagicon|IRN}} Hamed Hajimehdi

| {{flagicon|CMR}} Souleyman Ndepe

| {{flagicon|CIV}} Dini Ouattara

| {{flagicon|IRN}} Milad Behgandom

Stallion Laguna

| {{flagicon|GHA}} Samuel Bonney

| {{flagicon|KOR}} Kim Dongyeon

| {{flagicon|SEN}} Ibrahima Ndour

| {{flagicon|ARG}} Ricardo Sendra

| {{flagicon|SEN}} Abou Sy

United City

| {{flagicon|ESP}} Bienvenido Marañón

| {{flagicon|JPN}} Takashi Odawara

| {{flagicon|SEN}} Robert Lopez Mendy

|

| {{flagicon|ESP}} Súper{{cite news |title=End of an Era: Ceres-Negros set for name, ownership change |url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/end-era-ceres-negros-sell-club/186434 |access-date=July 31, 2020 |work=Tiebreaker Times |date=July 8, 2020}}

Notes

:1.{{Note|1}} Includes pre-season signings of players who weren't able to enter the PFL Bubble.

class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;" width=50%
colspan=2 style="width:200px;" | Foreign players by confederation
width=10%| AFC{{flag|Japan}} (3), {{flag|Iran}} (1)
width=10%| CAF{{flag|Ghana}} (3), {{flag|Cameroon}} (3), {{flag|Senegal}} (3), {{flag|Ivory Coast}} (1), {{flag|Democratic Republic of the Congo|DR Congo}} (1)
width=10%| CONCACAF{{flag|Trinidad and Tobago}} (1)
width=10%| CONMEBOL{{flag|Argentina}} (1)
width=10%| UEFA{{flag|Spain}} (2)

League table

{{#invoke:Sports table|main|style=WDL

|section=League table

|source=[https://pfl.org.ph/standings/ PFL]

|team1=UCC |team2=KAY|team3=ADT |team4=MEN |team5=MAH |team6=STA

|update=complete

|win_ADT=3 |draw_ADT=0 |loss_ADT=2 |gf_ADT=9 |ga_ADT=2 |status_ADT=

|win_KAY=3 |draw_KAY=2 |loss_KAY=0 |gf_KAY=5 |ga_KAY=2 |status_KAY=

|win_MAH=1 |draw_MAH=0 |loss_MAH=4 |gf_MAH=2 |ga_MAH=19|status_MAH=

|win_MEN=1 |draw_MEN=2 |loss_MEN=2 |gf_MEN=2 |ga_MEN=8 |status_MEN=

|win_STA=0 |draw_STA=2 |loss_STA=3 |gf_STA=3 |ga_STA=12|status_STA=

|win_UCC=4 |draw_UCC=0 |loss_UCC=1 |gf_UCC=25|ga_UCC=3 |status_UCC=C

|result1=CLGS |result2=CLP1|result4=CGS

|status_text_Q=Assured a place of the AFC Cup

|pos_UCC=1

|name_ADT=Azkals Development Team

|note_ADT=The Azkals Development Team are a guest team for the PFL and ineligible to qualify for AFC club competitions.{{cite news |last1=Co |first1=Adrian Stewart |title=ADT blank Stallion Laguna in PFL campaign ender |url=https://www.panaynews.net/adt-blank-stallion-laguna-in-pfl-campaign-ender/ |access-date=November 10, 2020 |work=Panay News |date=November 10, 2020}}

|name_KAY=Kaya–Iloilo

|name_MAH=Maharlika Manila

|name_MEN=Mendiola 1991

|name_STA=Stallion Laguna

|name_UCC=United City

|show_limit=6

|class_rules=1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored.{{cite news |title=PFL 2020: A Sprint to the Finish |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/sports/football/761791/pfl-2020-a-sprint-to-the-finish/story/ |access-date=October 28, 2020 |work=GMA News |date=October 28, 2020 |language=en}}

|res_col_header=Q

|col_CLGS=green1 |text_CLGS=Qualification for 2021 AFC Champions League group stage and 2022 AFC Champions League group stage{{efn|As a result of the 2021 Philippines Football League being cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines, the PFF nominated the 2020 champions, United City, as the participating club in the 2021 AFC Champions League Group Stage.}}

|col_CLP1=green2 |text_CLP1=Qualification for 2021 AFC Champions League qualifying play-offs

|col_CGS=yellow2 |text_CGS=Standby team for AFC Cup group stage{{efn| 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.{{cite news |last1=Saldajeno |first1=Ivan Stewart |title=PFF to submit protocols to GAB for possible PFL return |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1104136 |access-date=28 May 2020 |agency=Philippine News Agency |date=28 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913071723/https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1104136 |archive-date=13 September 2020}}}}

}}

Positions by round

{{#invoke:sports rbr table|table|sortable=y|legendpos=br

|team1=ADT

|pos1=4/5/3/3/3

|team2=Kaya–Iloilo

|pos2=1/2/2/2/2

|team3=Maharlika Manila

|pos3=4/3S/4S/5/5

|team4=Mendiola 1991

|pos4=6/6/6/4S/4

|team5=Stallion Laguna

|pos5=3S/4/5/6/6

|team6=United City

|pos6=1/1/1/1/1

| update = November 9, 2020

|color_1=green1 |color_2=blue1 |color_S=yellow2

}}

Results by round

{{#invoke:sports rbr table|table|legendpos=b

|team1=ADT

|res1=L/L/W/W/W

|team2=Kaya-Iloilo

|res2=W/W/D/D/W

|team3=Maharlika Manila

|res3=L/W/L/L/L

|team4=Mendiola

|res4=L/L/D/W/D

|team5=Stallion Laguna

|res5=L/D/L/L/D

|team6=United City

|res6=W/W/W/W/L

| color_W = green2 | text_W = Win

| color_D = yellow2| text_D = Draw

| color_L = red2 | text_L = Loss

| update = complete

}}

Results

{{#invoke:sports results|main

|source = [https://pfl.org.ph/fixtures/ PFL]

|update = complete

|start_date=October 28

|team_header=Club

|matches_style = FBR

|team1=ADT |team2=KAY |team3=MAH |team4=MEN |team5=STA |team6=UNI

|name_ADT=Azkals Development Team

|name_KAY=Kaya–Iloilo

|name_MAH=Maharlika Manila

|name_MEN=Mendiola 1991

|name_STA=Stallion Laguna

|name_UNI=United City

|match_ADT_KAY=null

|match_ADT_MAH=null

|match_ADT_MEN=2-0

|match_ADT_STA=null

|match_ADT_UNI=null

|match_KAY_ADT=1-0

|match_KAY_MAH=1-0

|match_KAY_MEN=0-0

|match_KAY_STA=null

|match_KAY_UNI=null

|match_MAH_ADT=0-5

|match_MAH_KAY=null

|match_MAH_MEN=0-2

|match_MAH_STA=null

|match_MAH_UNI=0-10

|match_MEN_ADT=null

|match_MEN_KAY=null

|match_MEN_MAH=null

|match_MEN_STA=0-0 |match_MEN_STA_note=Match was originally postponed due to Typhoon Vamco (Ulysses). However the match never took place{{cite news |last1=del Carmen |first1=Lorenzo |title=Season of uncertainty ends on a high for PFL |url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/season-of-uncertainty-ends-on-a-high-for-pfl/197127 |access-date=November 29, 2020 |work=Tiebreaker Times |date=November 29, 2020}} and league records considered the match to be a goalless draw between Mendiola and Stallion.{{cite web |title=Fixtures |url=https://pfl.org.ph/fixtures/ |website=Philippines Football League |access-date=November 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129101123/https://pfl.org.ph/fixtures/ |archive-date=November 29, 2020}}

|match_MEN_UNI=0-6

|match_STA_ADT=0-2

|match_STA_KAY=1-1

|match_STA_MAH=1-2

|match_STA_MEN=null

|match_STA_UNI=null

|match_UNI_ADT=1–0

|match_UNI_KAY=1-2

|match_UNI_MAH=null

|match_UNI_MEN=null

|match_UNI_STA=7-1

}}

Season statistics

=Scoring=

==Top goalscorers==

{{updated|November 9, 2020}}

class="wikitable"

!Rank !!Player !!Club !!Goals

rowspan="1" style="text-align: center;"|1

|{{flagicon|ESP}} Bienvenido Marañón

United City

|rowspan="1" style="text-align: center;"|7

rowspan="1" style="text-align: center;"|2

|{{flagicon|PHI}} Mike Ott

United City

|rowspan="1" style="text-align: center;"|6

rowspan="1" style="text-align: center;" |3

|{{flagicon|SEN}} Robert Lopez Mendy

United City

|rowspan="1" style="text-align: center;" | 5

rowspan="2" style="text-align: center;"|4

|{{flagicon|PHI}} Javier Gayoso

ADT

|rowspan="2" style="text-align: center;"|4

{{flagicon|PHI}} OJ PorteriaUnited City
rowspan="3" style="text-align: center;"|6

|{{flagicon|PHI}} Kenshiro Daniels

Kaya–Iloilo

|rowspan="3" style="text-align: center;"|2

{{flagicon|SEN}} Ibrahima NdourStallion Laguna
{{flagicon|PHI}} Chima UzokaADT

==Top assists==

{{updated|November 6, 2020}}

class="wikitable"

!Rank !!Player !!Club !!Assists

style="text-align: center;" |1

|{{flagicon|PHI}} Hikaru Minegishi

United City

|style="text-align: center;" |6

rowspan="1" style="text-align: center;" |2

|{{flagicon|SEN}} Robert Lopez Mendy

United City

| rowspan="1" style="text-align: center;" |5

rowspan="1" style="text-align: center;" |3

|{{flagicon|ESP}} Bienvenido Marañón

United City

| rowspan="1" style="text-align: center;" |4

rowspan="2" style="text-align: center;" |4

|{{flagicon|PHI}} Manny Ott

United City

| rowspan="2" style="text-align: center;" |3

{{flagicon|PHI}} Mike OttUnited City
rowspan="5" style="text-align: center;" |6

|{{flagicon|PHI}} Kenshiro Daniels

Kaya–Iloilo

| rowspan="5" style="text-align: center;" |2

{{flagicon|PHI}} Javier GayosoADT
{{flagicon|PHI}} Yrick GallantesADT
{{flagicon|PHI}} Lance OcampoADT
{{flagicon|PHI}} OJ PorteriaUnited City

=Hat-tricks=

{{updated|November 6, 2020}}

class="wikitable sortable"

!Player

!Club

!Result

!Against

!Date

!Ref

{{flagicon|SPA}} Bienvenido Marañón

| rowspan="4" |United City

| align="center" |6–0 (A)

|Mendiola 1991

|October 31, 2020

|

{{flagicon|SEN}} Robert Lopez Mendy

| align="center" |10–0 (A)

| rowspan="2" |Maharlika Manila

| rowspan="2" |November 3, 2020

| rowspan="2" |

{{flagicon|PHI}} OJ Porteria

| align="center" |10–0 (A)

{{flagicon|SPA}} Bienvenido Marañón

| align="center" |7–1 (H)

|Stallion Laguna

|November 6, 2020

=Clean sheets=

{{updated|November 9, 2020}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
Rank

!Player

!Club

!Clean
sheets

rowspan="2" style="text-align: center;"|1

|align="left"|{{flagicon|PHI}} Louie Casas

|align="left"|Kaya–Iloilo

|rowspan="2" style="text-align: center;"|3

align="left"|{{flagicon|PHI}} Anthony Pinthus

|align="left"|United City

rowspan="1" style="text-align: center;"|3

|align="left"|{{flagicon|PHI}} Anton Yared

|align="left"|ADT

|rowspan="1" style="text-align: center;"|2

rowspan="3" style="text-align: center;"|4

|align="left"|{{flagicon|PHI}} Kenry Balobo

|align="left"|Mendiola 1991

|rowspan="3" style="text-align: center;"|1

align="left"|{{flagicon|PHI}} Quincy Kammeraad

|align="left"|ADT

align="left"|{{flagicon|CIV}} Dini Ouattara

|align="left"|Mendiola 1991

=Discipline=

==Red cards==

{{updated|November 6, 2020}}

class="wikitable"
RankPlayerClubRed Cards
rowspan="2" style="text-align: center;" |1

|{{flagicon|PHI}} Manuel Ott

United City

| rowspan="2" style="text-align: center;" |1

{{flagicon|PHI}} Anton del RosarioMaharlika Manila

Awards

The following awards were given on November 9, 2020.{{cite news |last1=Go |first1=Beatrice |title=Stephan Schrock named 2020 PFL MVP |url=https://www.rappler.com/sports/football/stephan-schrock-2020-philippines-football-league-mvp |access-date=November 9, 2020 |work=Rappler |date=November 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109144541/https://www.rappler.com/sports/football/stephan-schrock-2020-philippines-football-league-mvp |archive-date=November 9, 2020 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |last1=Morales |first1=Luisa |title=PFL champs United City FC sweep individual awards |url=https://www.philstar.com/sports/2020/11/11/2056170/pfl-champs-united-city-fc-sweep-individual-awards |access-date=November 12, 2020 |work=The Philippine Star |date=November 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111063346/https://www.philstar.com/sports/2020/11/11/2056170/pfl-champs-united-city-fc-sweep-individual-awards |archive-date=November 11, 2020}}

class="wikitable"
Award

! Winner

! Club

Golden Ball

| {{flagicon|PHI}} Stephan Schröck

| rowspan="3" | United City

Golden Boot

| {{flagicon|ESP}} Bienvenido Marañón

Golden Glove

| {{flagicon|PHI}} Anthony Pinthus

References

{{reflist}}

{{Philippines Football League}}

{{2020 in Philippine football}}

{{2020 in Asian football (AFC)}}

Philippines

Philippines

Category:Philippines Football League seasons

Philippines Football League

Category:Sports in Cavite

Philippines Football League, 2019-20