2026-09-02, 12:45 AM - Word count:
Rylakn sat with his team mates at Guayaquil. Many of those in the room were fellow members of his s27 draft class, also eagerly awaiting their minor league debuts. Having completed their academy season, the draftees are excited to play in front of the big crowds of the SSL minor leagues. They have a couple of friendlies and intra club games under their belts, but nothing will compare to running out onto the pitch at Estadio Perla del Pacifico (Pearl of the Pacific Stadium) for the first time. Wearing the brand new kit for the first time and potentially going down in history as the first player to score, foul, assist or even get a card for the new club.
All of that would have to wait though. The gaffer and the managers came in to announce the schedule to the team and the groans were plentiful. No doubt the staff down the hall heard the combined disappointment of the players. Guayaquil was to have a bye on Matchday 1 of the season. As disappointing as this is, I can understand the thought process behind it. A brand new team needs time to play together, practice and learn tactics. Yes we'd all like to see the new teams battling it out on day one of the season and I'm sure the marketing people would really have liked that. But ultimately the additional time to prepare can only be a good thing. Guayaquil is still new and most of its players are in their first or second season of professional soccer. Giving them the extra week to prepare could have massively positive implications on the trajectory of this season and this team.
As for Rylakn himself, he's taken the opportunity given to him and really focussed on becoming the best version of himself. This offseason he switched from the left to the right hand side of defense. He had spent much of his academy season training up his weak foot and that has really come in handy, as he now has two almost equally good feet and it's allowed him to make the switch to the right-hand side seamlessly. He's also really worked on his pace, acceleration, crossing and anticipating play. He's yet to make a full debut, but he's already seen a massive improvement since joining Guayaquil compared to his time in the academy.
Looking over the pre-season rankings and predictions, Guayaquil is expected to come last or second last, battling it out with the other new expansion club to avoid last place. Personally I think both teams will be lucky to win a game, but that should be their target. While other teams have more experienced players and managers at the helm, the expansion clubs bring a youthful exuberance and fearless attitude that may just see them surprise a team or two during the season. They come in with a mindset of being capable and competitive until proven otherwise.
I for one cannot wait to see the team on the pitch and hear the screaming fans as they support the newest addition to the SSL.
All of that would have to wait though. The gaffer and the managers came in to announce the schedule to the team and the groans were plentiful. No doubt the staff down the hall heard the combined disappointment of the players. Guayaquil was to have a bye on Matchday 1 of the season. As disappointing as this is, I can understand the thought process behind it. A brand new team needs time to play together, practice and learn tactics. Yes we'd all like to see the new teams battling it out on day one of the season and I'm sure the marketing people would really have liked that. But ultimately the additional time to prepare can only be a good thing. Guayaquil is still new and most of its players are in their first or second season of professional soccer. Giving them the extra week to prepare could have massively positive implications on the trajectory of this season and this team.
As for Rylakn himself, he's taken the opportunity given to him and really focussed on becoming the best version of himself. This offseason he switched from the left to the right hand side of defense. He had spent much of his academy season training up his weak foot and that has really come in handy, as he now has two almost equally good feet and it's allowed him to make the switch to the right-hand side seamlessly. He's also really worked on his pace, acceleration, crossing and anticipating play. He's yet to make a full debut, but he's already seen a massive improvement since joining Guayaquil compared to his time in the academy.
Looking over the pre-season rankings and predictions, Guayaquil is expected to come last or second last, battling it out with the other new expansion club to avoid last place. Personally I think both teams will be lucky to win a game, but that should be their target. While other teams have more experienced players and managers at the helm, the expansion clubs bring a youthful exuberance and fearless attitude that may just see them surprise a team or two during the season. They come in with a mindset of being capable and competitive until proven otherwise.
I for one cannot wait to see the team on the pitch and hear the screaming fans as they support the newest addition to the SSL.
![[Image: Rylakn.gif]](https://sig.grumpybumpers.com/host/Rylakn.gif)
![[Image: 591GqW8.jpeg]](https://i.imgur.com/591GqW8.jpeg)
![[Image: sb2.jpg]](https://i.postimg.cc/8k0dh4MH/sb2.jpg)
