2026-06-07, 06:41 PM - Word count:
Leonardo Stone has officially been drafted to the SSL and has taken the first step toward his goal of becoming a legendary player in the league. Let's get into the mindset of the star from Sydney City's academy team during draft day.
Stone entered the draft under the belief that he would not get picked early. After all, it took even one of the worst academy teams (purely by record, we were great in spirit!) until almost midseason to pick him up off the streets. But yet, despite this, Stone still eagerly awaited the draft, and even with the knowledge that he almost definitely wouldn't be a first-rounder, after getting scouted by every SSL team, it was an exciting time for the young lad, and his spirits were still high. While Stone knew that if he was chosen in the 2nd round, it would be a surprise to some, after his last-minute article to get max equipment, he had hoped some teams would see his dedication, and was holding out hope. And then, at 14oa, Owen Goal is chosen, a striker. It was expected he would go before Stone, no big deal, and then at 15 and 16, two more strikers would get drafted. The striker run has started! These were all players Stone knew the consensus had above him, and once the better strikers get drafted, it means it is only a matter of time for the Sydney star. But then, the rest of the second round goes by, and only one additional striker is taken... and just like that, Stone has fallen out of the second round. Luckily, the wait does not have to be too long, as with the second pick of the third round, Tokyo/Cairo, a team with only one young striker, decides to take the risk and draft the young man with long hair to be their other striker of the future. Stone tries to hide it at his draft party full of friends and family, but his eyes can't help but start to water. The culmination of years of training and countless hours of blood, sweat, and tears was worth it. And not only that, but he goes to a team he had a great scouting conversation with, and more importantly, a team with great branding and color scheme. Stone is thrilled and cannot wait to start scoring goals for the big leagues! Let's go TOKYO!!!
Stone entered the draft under the belief that he would not get picked early. After all, it took even one of the worst academy teams (purely by record, we were great in spirit!) until almost midseason to pick him up off the streets. But yet, despite this, Stone still eagerly awaited the draft, and even with the knowledge that he almost definitely wouldn't be a first-rounder, after getting scouted by every SSL team, it was an exciting time for the young lad, and his spirits were still high. While Stone knew that if he was chosen in the 2nd round, it would be a surprise to some, after his last-minute article to get max equipment, he had hoped some teams would see his dedication, and was holding out hope. And then, at 14oa, Owen Goal is chosen, a striker. It was expected he would go before Stone, no big deal, and then at 15 and 16, two more strikers would get drafted. The striker run has started! These were all players Stone knew the consensus had above him, and once the better strikers get drafted, it means it is only a matter of time for the Sydney star. But then, the rest of the second round goes by, and only one additional striker is taken... and just like that, Stone has fallen out of the second round. Luckily, the wait does not have to be too long, as with the second pick of the third round, Tokyo/Cairo, a team with only one young striker, decides to take the risk and draft the young man with long hair to be their other striker of the future. Stone tries to hide it at his draft party full of friends and family, but his eyes can't help but start to water. The culmination of years of training and countless hours of blood, sweat, and tears was worth it. And not only that, but he goes to a team he had a great scouting conversation with, and more importantly, a team with great branding and color scheme. Stone is thrilled and cannot wait to start scoring goals for the big leagues! Let's go TOKYO!!!
