2026-07-19, 07:46 PM - Word count:
It hasn't been the best of times in the Black Forest over the last while. But today's Zebras at least have the benefit of clarity: they know they're not underachieving against a goal set higher than they're really built to reach, they're back to being hungry up-and-comers who've just reset back down to the second division to learn and build their way back.
Earlier in his career, Tlacalel Tepoztli fancied himself equal parts wingback and shadow striker, though in both roles an attacking player who would stealth his way into unexpected places at unexpected times to produce an opportunity for his team. It turned out that "unexpected places" was equally a thing he could be asked, not just a thing he could improvise - Schwarzwald has lately taken to playing him on the left wing.
The crossing skills Tlacaelel developed in the interest of having value at Wingback have now found themselves of use from a rather different angle than previously planned for: he's digging balls out of the offensive corner for fully lateral crosses into the box. It's the sort of thing he might have done in practice, for fun and to show versatility. But for a few games now, he's been feeding Maggie Sinclair (in particular) from the left. Time will tell whether the opportunities are arising from strange accidents of timing as he gets acclimated to the new spots on the pitch, or whether his crosses have finally found their true calling and optimal angle.
Whatever the answer, the pressure is off these days in SFV, and it's a time when moral victories are celebrated, even in losses. The wins will come. The foundations are getting stronger and stronger. And who knows what versatility the team will find in others as they continue to grow?
Earlier in his career, Tlacalel Tepoztli fancied himself equal parts wingback and shadow striker, though in both roles an attacking player who would stealth his way into unexpected places at unexpected times to produce an opportunity for his team. It turned out that "unexpected places" was equally a thing he could be asked, not just a thing he could improvise - Schwarzwald has lately taken to playing him on the left wing.
The crossing skills Tlacaelel developed in the interest of having value at Wingback have now found themselves of use from a rather different angle than previously planned for: he's digging balls out of the offensive corner for fully lateral crosses into the box. It's the sort of thing he might have done in practice, for fun and to show versatility. But for a few games now, he's been feeding Maggie Sinclair (in particular) from the left. Time will tell whether the opportunities are arising from strange accidents of timing as he gets acclimated to the new spots on the pitch, or whether his crosses have finally found their true calling and optimal angle.
Whatever the answer, the pressure is off these days in SFV, and it's a time when moral victories are celebrated, even in losses. The wins will come. The foundations are getting stronger and stronger. And who knows what versatility the team will find in others as they continue to grow?
