2022-01-31, 12:19 PM - Word count:
I was walking onto the training grounds for another day of practice. I ended up being one of the last ones to show up, which wasn't unusual, but also doesn't happen all that often. Before we got started, we had a team meeting. Unbeknownst to me, I ended up being on the SSL Season 1 Best Team! My defensive partner in Vercetti, and our goalie Nootazooki also ended up on the team. I was surprised. I know I had put in a lot of work in training, and was a good all-around player, but I did not expect to be one of the best players, especially since I started playing just before halfway through the season. I have come a long way from being a hockey player, to being a dual sports player, to getting a red card in my first match, to getting a run back to give pressure to an otherwise good forward who only had the goalie to beat. I had definitely put my work in for it, but I expected someone on another team to take that spot. When talking in the league's discord server, I found another nugget: I was the only other player other than Torres to get a vote for MVP. I was falbbergasted at that. I appreciated the fact that I play 2 sports, one in winter and one in summer, and that helps me with my fitness, but I was not expecting me, a defender, to even get any MVP votes with how much people like offensive talent over defensive talent. Maybe the tides are turning, and people are figuring out what makes a good defense? or maybe it was just someone who appreciates the defensive side more. Whatever the case, I was ecstatic at the selection, and will continue to do the hard work on the pitch for my team.
Sam Siege, Uniāo São Paulo Defender
