+- Simulation Soccer League (https://forum.simulationsoccer.com)
+-- Forum: Player Development (https://forum.simulationsoccer.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=5)
+--- Forum: Capped Point Tasks (https://forum.simulationsoccer.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=23)
+---- Forum: Articles (https://forum.simulationsoccer.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=46)
+---- Thread: Academy Task #5: First round mock draft for S25 (/showthread.php?tid=9103)
Academy Task #5: First round mock draft for S25 - CLG Rampage - 2026-03-22
Good morning/afternoon/evening! This article will be my attempt at an SSL first round mock draft, looking through the current class of draftees and seeing where I believe they will be playing in the major leagues. With a grand total of 37 prospects up for grabs, there are plenty of players for teams to interview and sink their teeth into. Let's start with Schwarzwälder FV!
Round 1, Pick 1, Schwarzwälder FV selects… Ekon Ayo, Victoria Falls
I believe Ayo is the most “plug and play” prospect” in the draft. They are neck and neck with Juliette Greer for the highest TPE total within the class and currently possess by far the largest bank account amongst the S25 class, largely due to their “About Ekon” media series. I believe Schwarzwälder is going to see these traits and be delighted to grab him. As a player, Ayo has focused heavily on physical attributes, with notable investments into his pace, acceleration and agility.
Round 1, Pick 2, Tokyo S.C. selects… Armero Staple, Victoria Falls
That's right, 2 players from Victoria to start the draft! I think I can see how they won double digit games last season…
Anyways, Staple, unlike Ayo, I do not see as a true plug and play prospect that can go anywhere and be a superstar. However, he fills a position of weakness for Tokyo in that they're lacking strong strikers and Staple would quickly fill into that role. They fall just outside the top 5 TPE earners of the class, but he's still very well positioned to be a high draft Pick and I believe Tokyo will be looking at him closely.
Round 1, Pick 3, A.C. Romana selects… Juliette Greer, Port Royal F.C.
The TPE leader of the S25 class goes 3rd overall! Is that a hot take? I honestly have no idea, it definitely wouldn't be the first time I've mocked that scenario amongst other leagues.
Regardless, Greer, much like Ayo, is very much plug and play. As much as Romano has a logjam of midfielders, Greer is the sort of prospect where you say “We'll make it work somehow, just get her onto the pitch.” As mentioned, they are the best earners of the class by a hair, so Romano would be quite happy to add her to the squad.
Round 1, Pick 4 and Pick 5, C.A. Buenos Aires selects… João Mendes, Stockholm IK
and,
Phil Space, Victoria Falls
Buenos Aires is in a very good position with this draft, and I think they're going to be the hardest to predict for this draft. They could trade one of or both of these picks back, craft a package to move up or just stay where they are and take the pick of the best of the rest with the top 3 picks done.
Because I don't want to predict trades, I have Buenos Aires selecting Mendes and Space back to back. I think there is an argument that Buenos Aires looks at Shevchenko instead of Space, but they already have such an abundance of midfielders that it's really hard to make that decision. With the upcoming retirements of elite players Sean O'Leary and Freja Ekholm-Gunnarson, some roster shuffling is going to take place down in Buenos Aires, and I believe these two are best positioned to fill whatever voids are opened up on their rosters.
Round 1, Pick 6, Schwarzwälder FV selects… Vyacheslav Shevchenko, Victoria Falls
Having taken care of their most pressing need with the first overall Pick of the draft, Schwarzwälder gets to play with house money a bit and perhaps reach for someone they wouldn't be thinking about otherwise. Shevchenko remains as the last outfielder above 400 TPE, so while he might not fill a positional need for the club, he does bring along some premium earning potential that I'm certain they'd love to bring on board.
Round 1, Pick 7, CF Catalunya selects… Vivi Nefertari, Victoria Falls
Catalunya chases the best remaining player at a position of mild need. They currently roster no strikers amongst the minor and major league teams, and amongst the higher TPE prospects none of them currently have the ability to be played at said position. Ergo, Nefertari becomes the default pick.Round 1, Pick 8, A.C. Romana selects… Sharko Demarco, Sydney City
Once again I have Romana selecting best player available. No one left on the board fills a position of necessity for the club, so I believe they’re going to do what they did at pick #3 and grab the highest TPE player left. Demarco might be able to find his way onto the major league roster at his natural position, Romana doesn’t have a ton of true center midfielders between the minor and major league clubs, so it’ll be interesting to see how a pick like this would play out.
Round 1, Pick 9, Tokyo S.C. selects… Chris McZehrl, Stockholm IK
With Staple dealing with their largest position of need, Tokyo will likely look to McZehrl to fill in their lack of attack midfielders all across the field. More offensive firepower is never a bad thing, and McZehrl has a better path to the big leagues compared to other players that Tokyo could draft, though there are several attacking midfielders in the minors looking for their opportunity to start.
Round 1, Pick 10, Hollywood FC selects… Van Jertonghen, Stockholm IK
Checking out Hollywood’s combined roster, they are one of the teams lacking in central defender talent. Both players on minor league F.C. Kaapstaad at the position are inactive, meaning there is an immediate place for Jertonghen to slot in and get playing time, especially if he stays active. And as he grows, there will be plenty of opportunity in the majors where once again, Hollywood seems to be defensively lacking.
Round 1, Pick 11, Shanghai Dragons FC select… Vincent Haye, Port Royal F.C.This was probably the hardest pick for me to, well, pick. There’s not a ton of talent at positions of need for the Dragons, so it’s a question of needs vs wants. Haye is the last striker remaining on the board, so I think they are going to pounce on that, fill a position of some need even if he may not be the best overall, simply because its not going to get any easier to fill that position.
Round 1, Pick 12, A.C. Romana selects… Karlach Cliffgate, Sydney City
Romano, you’re killing me, why do you have so many picks in this round?
Anyways, replay what I said for Demarco. Karlach’s the best player left on the board, Romano can pick who they please and so they go best player available. Roll credits.Well! That took a little bit longer than I expected, mostly due to me typing most of this out on my phone. I look forward to seeing just how terribly wrong my predictions were come draft night! If you’ve somehow read all the way to the end, thank you very much, and I hope you have a lovely rest of your day!