World Cup 2014 arrived in full force this summer, shining a spotlight on the intense and beloved game of soccer, thus gaining more fans worldwide on all platforms from social media, mobile to television.

Yet not all things soccer-related could ultimately score a goal to win the game, including El Rey Network's soccer spy drama "Matador," which had to be cancelled.

"El Rey Network and the Executive Producers of "Matador" have decided not to move forward with a second season of the series. 'Matador,' which critics described as 'fast-paced and sexy' and 'ludicrously entertaining', told the story of a DEA agent who is recruited by the CIA to go undercover as a professional soccer player," according to an official statement that El Rey shared with Latin Post.

The second original scripted series on Robert Rodriguez's English-language network was launched on July 15, following World Cup 2014. The action-packed 13-episode first season, which wrapped up in October, had been picked up for a second season.

"Matador" was created by longtime collaborators Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, who have collaborated on "The Amazing Spider-Man 2" and "Star Trek," among others. The writing and producing duo, who were dubbed "Hollywood's Secret Weapons" by Forbes in 2011, have also co-created and executive produced the hit TV shows "Alias," "Fringe" and "Hawaii Five-0."

Despite the announcement of its cancellation, "Matador" kicked off with a strong start with the help of renegade filmmaker and El Rey Network founder Robert Rodriguez ("From Dusk Till Dawn," "Desperado" and "Sin City"), who directed the action-packed pilot. The pilot had introduced an energetic and attractive cast of Latinos and non-Latinos and incorporated tinges of Rodriguez's signature style along with an added Hollywood production value.

"Ultimately it was a business decision but to be clear, we were very proud of the series on every level -- creatively it hit the mark and we are gratified that it celebrated diversity in front of the cameras and behind the scenes," El Rey Network explained. "We want to thank everyone involved, from the extraordinarily talented cast and crew to the amazing production team. We appreciate all that they have done and look forward to the opportunity to work with them in the future."

"'Matador' was the first project under a multi-year international distribution deal between El Rey and Entertainment One," Variety reports. "The series cancellation was reportedly prompted by weak international sales."

The news of the show's cancellation came as a surprise to many "Matador" fans who shared their reactions online.

"This is disappointing. 'Matador' played more like a Latin Man From U.N.C.L.E. than James Bond and it was great fun. You have to think that Elizabeth Peña's death played a role in the cancellation, too. What a shame."  -- Sheldon W. commented on Deadline on Nov. 28.

"That's too bad...I really dug the show. It wasn't amazing TV, but it was fun in a kind of retro way, which was fantastic in this age of NCIS-induced snorefests. It especially sucks since, as the link above says, it was renewed for a second season right out of the gate. ..." -- Dave also commented on Deadline on Nov. 28.

As mentioned, "Matador" chronicled the unexpected rise of Tony "Matador" Bravo (played by Gabriel Luna), a DEA agent who becomes a professional soccer player for the L.A. Riot by day -- and a skilled covert operative, executing missions for the CIA by night.

The cast included Tony Award-nominated actor Alfred Molina, Julio Oscar Mechoso, Nicky Whelan, Neil Hopkins, Christina Ochoa and the late Elizabeth Peña, whose unexpected death shocked and saddened the cast and crew. Luna, who took the news of her death especially hard, wrote a touching tribute for the treasured actress who played his mother.

On July 8, both El Rey Network and the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), who teamed up to host an exclusive premiere screening of "Matador" at the Paley Center in New York. Following the premiere was a Q&A with the talented Orci, which was moderated by Latin Post.