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+---- Thread: Academy Task 5: Phil Space Excels in His Academy Year (/showthread.php?tid=9049)
Academy Task 5: Phil Space Excels in His Academy Year - Toasty - 2026-03-14
Irish attacking midfielder Phil Space has caught the attention of some top level scouts by showing out in his SSL Academy season. Through 12 games on the top of the table Victoria Falls Eagles, Space has managed to score eight goals and contribute with five assists, hoping to prove that he can be a strong part of his future team's rotation of forwards.
Space has shown a lot of success in the attacking end in his 12 games for Victoria Falls. He is currently 6th in the Academy in goal scoring, proving he can finish when the chances are in front of him. Many of his goals come from his ability to get open in the penalty box, including when the defense is crowding the box. Several recent goals also show Space's ability to swing the ball around the keeper when playing one-on-one. Space curled a shot around Atletico's keeper after getting open on a spectacular run in match week 11. Later that game he made a run to finish an incredible pass that split a crowded box to find the wide open Space.
The attacking mindedness does end at putting the ball in the net for Space. He is 2nd in the Academy in key passes (44), and is tied for second in the Academy in chances created with 15. Space has distributed the ball for five total assists on the high scoring Eagles. Overall, Space sits fifth in the academy in average player rating with a 7.67 average rating. Despite a couple of slow games in the last four, this shows his positioning and spacing have contributed to the team's success in addition to his scoring ability.
While there have been many areas of success, there are clearly some areas of improvement for Space. His passing success rate has a lot of room to grow, with only an 81% success rate. While his focus has been on putting the ball in the net, there has to be more focus on accuracy in passing in every situation. Space will also need to focus on improving his cross effectiveness. In the 12 Academy games this season, Space only has about a 12% successful cross rate. Space could also afford to be a bit more careful on the offsides calls, giving up 7 in total this season.
Overall, Phil Space is a name that has risen on the draft boards after a strong, consistent season. The Eagles have already secured the top of the table with several games to go, so fans will have to wait to see how the quality of play changes, but with all players pushing for a strong draft, one would imagine players will take even more chances and push even harder with fewer consequences to the season results on the table.
The young Irishman could be one of the top attacking minded players in the upcoming draft this offseason. Given his relatively unknown name, Space will have to wait and see if he can be a surprise early pick, and more importantly, if he can make an impact as he heads into his first minor league season.
(528 Words)