#5 Representing Your Nation

[Murtsi]

Career task #4

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SSL Career tasks #5 Representing your Nation

Oh man, this is definitely a proud moment, one that my mom and dad are definitely proud of, just judging by the 20 calls they have put in that I have not had time to answer, sorry guys! Well anyway, I would say that I am very much a proud Finn, have been since the day I was born basically. Back when I was racing, I would sing along with the national anthem every time they played it at the podium after a win for me (and let me tell you, there were a lot!). It is something that has always given me chills when I hear it and I want to hear more of it! Now on my second sport and a secret ambition of mine was always to get called up to the national team. Finland has never been really good at football, but recently we have definitely been improving, so there was some glimmer of hope and I feel that with my exceptional skills, I can definitely take us to the next level. My first national cap will be against Italy, which will be a big ask, but luckily we will be playing at home, so that will give us a big boost. Walking out into the National Stadium to 45 000 fans who are chanting our names, a sight to behold! The chance to put on the Finnish jersey and step out with the likes of Teemu Pukki will be something I think I will cherish for a long time. I think I will have to make sure that my parents and why not my whole family are able to get tickets for the game. This will be something that has not been done in the family before, so everyone should get a chance to participate. Really looking forward to the opportunity!

APPROVED and APPLIED @Murtsi I picture Finnish soccer fields being adjacent little lakes, because Finland has so many such lakes.

[Squid]

CPT 4

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It was a beautiful sunny day in late May when the minor league championship was concluded. Marco was enjoying the life he has had in Auckland, playing for North Shore United for the past 3 seasons. Resting on the beach with some teammates and enjoying the great weather of New Zealand, a long week of celebrating their championship was finally concluded. Soaking in the wonderful weather, Marco had already heard from the management from his Major League squad Reykjavik United about getting called up for the next season and had been enjoying his last month in Auckland before having to uproot to the colder weather of Reykjavik, Iceland. It was shortly after grabbing lunch with his teammates where Marco could feel his phone buzzing in his pocket. Reaching into the pocket to check who was calling, the Left Back was surprised to see an international call coming in from Canada. Thinking it may be either a family member prank calling or maybe a fan who was able to access his number, he decided to answer it to humour them. Marco answered the call and stayed silent for the first few seconds to see if they would reveal who they were. He was extremely surprised to hear it was the coach for the Canadian National Team. Offering a position on the roster for the next international teammate, Marco quickly accepted the offer. The coach of the national team had a few words with him before the conversation ended. After the phone was hung up, Marco could hardly contain his excitement. "What a great offseason this has been!" he thought to himself. "Winning the Minor League with North shore, moving up to the Major League next season, and now playing for the Canadian National Team in the next tournament!" Marco really felt like his hard work has started to pay off and his news this offseason has definitely validated it in his eyes. Now the next goal for the Canadian Defender is to win for both of his new squads like he has with his North Shore teammates the past 3 seasons. (350 words)

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[Aleris]

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Viktoria has been lucky enough to play for her “country” twice in her career soon. At the end of S12, Viktoria was only a second year player with barely any TPE and wide eyed when the United Alpen Region wanted her to play Left Midfield for the upcoming tournament. Alpen consisted of the nations surrounding the Alps in Europe. Viktoria’s home of Austria, and nearby Switzerland, Italy and Slovenia. She had barely gotten her feet on the ground but was excited for the opportunity. Alpen was drawn into a group with the United Africa Federation and the United States. While Alpen had Owen Forty-Four, the team was fairly young and going up against tournament favorites in Africa and a USA team that was very deep. With luck they would go through but it would be very tough.

The friendly match was against Deutch and Alpen got smoked 6-0 behind a dominant Furious Chicken performance. Then came group match one against Africa and the game plan almost worked against Africa. Alpen only let in 2 goals from a dominant Africa offense, but couldn’t come up with an equalizer and lost 2-1. The final group game really tested the tired Alpen squad. Owen 44 opened the scoring after a scoreless first half, but it was not to be as then USA dumped 4 goals on Alpen, eliminating them from the tournament.

Snooks was mostly irrelevant during the tournament. She was only a second year pro and was going up against some of the best players in the world. She had tried her best, but was happy for the experience to play with some regional legends. For now, it was time to head back home to New Zealand.

However, Viktoria is getting a second chance now to play for the new and improved Alpen federation. The team is mostly the same, the leading scorer Owen Forty-Four can’t run like he used to but his legs can still bang them in. And Del Piro is in top form right now and leads the team as captain. Snooks is also much older and more versatile of a player, Alpen should put up a much better showing this time around.

APPROVED - I wonder how much better New Zealand might have been with Vikki.

[Xotcin]

Career Task 4

It was early on Tuesday when I received a text from my agent. “William, turn the TV on and watch the United States National Team press conference that is happening right now!” I quickly got up and ran to my living room to watch what was about to happen. The manager for the US National Team was up on stage talking about how proud he is to coach the team and even more excited he is to announce who would make the cut. As he read the fourteen names chosen, I could not believe what I heard. “In net for us this tournament, William Williams!” I made the team! I could not contain my excitement that I get to play even more soccer before the season starts back up with Montreal. It has been a dream of mine to be selected for the US National Team since I was a small child. I remember watching national games and trying to reenact what the keepers were doing in my backyard.
With this opportunity I know I will need to play at my absolute best. There are many American goalkeepers around the world and I need to show why I was chosen. I quickly flew back to the States to start training with my new teammates. The team itself is fairly young with a few quality veterans sprinkled in. Team veterans Adam Knight and Hugh Mann were leading different drills getting us younger folk really moving and in the right mindset. We might not be the superstar packed team like some other nations, but I think we can pull a few upsets. I know I am going to do everything I can to stop everything coming my way. The little kid in me is smiling from ear to ear waiting for my chance to bring glory to the United States.

[308]

APPROVED - next, Schwarzwald!

[kdr]

#4 Versatility

I have just completed my 4th season of playing in the SSL and it was my first with the big club in Tokyo.  And in this off season the World Cup is coming around and I would love to be picked for the British Isles.  It would definitely be a childhood dream of mine if I could play for my country on the biggest stage in the World.  I await the naming of the squad with the most nervous energy I have ever had in my whole playing career.  The day of the announcement is here and I listen very closely and then I hear it and I can't believe it. I, Puma Superhoops, a poor boy out of the tiny town of Bath England will be representing The Isles at the World Football Simulation Classic.

I just can't wait to get to training camp.  I will be playing with some of my boy hood idols.  We have the retiring Scud Muffin who will play their final games at the Classic and defenders like Hol LeDiver ad Duncan Maxwell.  Two people I have modeled my defensive ortion of my game after.  I can't beleive that our manager kdr has had enough confidence in me that he has selected my for the team.  I can't wait to get to the world classic and try and send off Scud and Hol as champions....

(2 months later)
Well, I can't believe what happened at the World Football Simulation Classic.  I thought we had a good draw and were on the verge of making it out f the first round, when we come up flat in our final match of the group phase.  We had won our first game and drawn our second and all we needed was a draw to make it through to the knowckouts where anything can happen. But it was not to be, a 2-0 loss to Eurasia meant we were out of the cup and watching the rest from the comfort of our couches.

This is not how I wanted to it end, but if I am lucky enought to be chosen again I will again do the best for my country.


APPROVED - knockouts be like that.

Code:

word count ~370

[sliceruser]

CPT #4

Alexandros Mograine came into the league feeling like he was on the fast track. He felt like he knew nothing about soccer or about how much complexity was in the underlying nature of it. That it was a great surprise to him where he got picked 3rd in the draft and made an immediate jump up to the main roster of Hollywood despite his worries of not being ready. The team and management put their trust in him though and despite a few rough moments Hollywood and by extension Mograine have not looked out of place in their spot. So it was with great pride when the management for the Canadian National team gave him the call to be a starter on the team. It is a dream of all players to represent their country as the best of the best in a Tournament such as this especially so early in your career. It was with this though that reality came crashing down. Mograine did not play terribly per say but Canada’s and his own performance at the event left him saddened. He came in to be the best of the best with his team but he felt like he let them down and couldn’t be a solid foundation for the team when they needed him most. It is because of this though that Mograine has gained a new found determination to come back the next time the tournament comes around with redoubled vigor and effort. He came in to this league as a nobody to soccer but he was now determined to be the best he could be for Hollywood and Canada going forward into the future because he knows these teams have the capability to be the best and he refuses to be the reason they are being held back from achieving those heights. With those thoughts in mind Mograine goes back to training until his feet are numb and his body is spent. He Will Be Ready Next Time!
 
-332 words

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[Domffl]

CPT 4

It's not every day that you get the opportunity to play for your country in the world's biggest stage. Dia was used to screaming fans and plenty of attention from broadcasts and social media, but the weight of shouldering the pride of your entire country was a heavy burden to carry, one that he had not carried before. Nevertheless, when Dia got his first call from the Senegal head coach to join the national team for friendlies, his answer was an immediate and resounding "YES." No matter the challenge, Dia was never one to shy away. Instead, it only made him buckle down harder. Like the offseason before, Dia called his mentors to train a little more in preparation for his country debut against Northern Ireland. 
Even though it was just a friendly, Dia had never felt a satisfaction in his career quite like the first time he saw his name on an official Senegal home kit. It was a dream come true! Had he taken the traditional path of "practice, dedication, and hard work" to get there? Not quite. But tricking Premier League coaches into giving you a contract was still a tough job! It required lots of planning, teamwork, and sleuthery. 
Upon entering the stadium to sing anthems and take starting XI pictures, Dia felt an immense sense of pride swell in his chest. "If only these adoring fans knew just how much I gave up to get here," he thought. Immediately, a flashback to just a few months earlier when Dia walked in to his workplace at the local university to quit. He was initially hoping for a grand story to tell his grandkids about how he quit his job to become a football star, but the truth was, he was going to miss being a janitor. But we all must give up the things we love to give all our love to the beautiful game.

APPROVED - Being a janitor on the pitch would be a worthy role too.