#9 A View from the Top

[FaraDian]

Fara Dian player page
CPT #8

Before receiving its official name, Mount Everest was simply known as Peak XV.

In Season 15 of the SSL, Fara Dian has passed over the South Summit and trekked onwards. Between him and the true summer lies the most technically difficult element of the entire ascent. Upon the real mountain, this was the Hillary Step, where an 8000 foot fall awaits on one side, and a 10,000 foot plunge off the other. The mountain in the SSL is meta, pace, formations tried and true. In his 9 season, Dian has stumbled upon all of them, struggled for footing and for breath.

But all of it was acclimation and preparation. Here and now it has all reached the true view from the top of the world. Even should a last slip push him to the rocks far, far below, his body would join a forest of the greatest to have ever tried, and his soul would be free, with a last glimpse of the atmosphere above the world complete. The legacy is built, whether it rest upon the final step or no, of a man who never stopped trying, who never stopped learning and competing, who pushed until he could take the next step... right... here.


APPROVED @FaraDian , chronic climber of Everest. When there's a CPT #10, I expect you to use rapidly tumbling down Everest as a metaphor for regression.

[Duilio05]

CT8
player page

Continuing off career task number 8 of Tamanna we're good dig deep into the connections Tamanna has made and his attempts to promote a healthy work environment for the younger players to come in grow to reach their highest potential.

A prime example of this is when Muunokhoi Sarantsatsral first walked into the team locker room back when they still played in Accra, Ghana. This wide eyed Mongolian traveling across the world and not only has to form a strong bond with these players he has never met, but also deal with a new environment, such as Accra being a coastal city and Mongolia is completely land locked.

As Tamanna was on the fast track to being team leader, Tamanna made sure to warmly welcome Muuno to the team. Although Muuno wasn't much of talker, Tamanna made sure any time Muuno did speak, any all teammates would listen and follow what he had to say. Tamanna knew it would be important for the team's future that obeying Muuno's orders became an ingrained into every player on the team. This is because if the field players don't have good communication and great respect for the keeper, it would limit the development of a young keeper and sow problems that could undermine a team's attempts to win championships in the future.

Tamanna did this for many of the younger players whom are now league wide superstars. He hopes that this will be his biggest legacy as a player. having instilled a work ethic and positive team culture that should last far longer than his career alone will. Having played the entirety of his career at Accra, now known as Schwarzwälder FV, Tamanna hopes the team will remain league relevant for much longer than his career, far after he has retired. The greatest respect his teammates can give to Tamanna would be continue creating a welcoming environment to new draftees and free agents who come to play in the woods.

APPROVED @Duilio06 - Mein Herz! Mein Herz!

[woog]

Career task 8

His career in soccer was only for sport. His ambassadorship to get hallucinogenic mushrooms legalized in a maximum of jurisdictions around the world was just common sense. His defence and support of the nomadic way of life to which much of his family still adhered would be a way of life, forever. But success in all these aspects of his life enabled Muunokhoi Sarantsatsral to think bigger, to dare in ways his life should have never enabled him to dare, but for his successes in soccer and the ridiculous luck of his off-field investments. 

All of which brought him here, to the Great Wall of China, built to defend against Mongols, who conquered China anyway. In all the years since, though, the border had shifted further north, making Inner Mongolia part of China, leading to some of his people using even a different alphabet to write the language they shared.

Now, Muunokhoi - grizzled veteran of the new Mongol campaigns, well over two metres tall, riding on his giant warhorse Moonflight, had toppled that wall, scattering its stones like the soccer balls he'd batted aside in his youth. All China cowered at his riders' hoofbeats; all Inner Mongolia rejoiced at the reunification of the tribes, Muunokhoi gathering all Mongolia into a single great oirat as only the truest patriots had dared to dream.

His riders carefully stowed their explosives, drank their clotted mares' milk and celebrated mutedly - these were great soldiers aware of their accomplishments, but nonetheless taciturn people. As Muunokhoi surveyed his conquest, he heard a voice.

"Ach - you're sleeping on my arm, you heavy barbarian."

Muunokhoi kept his eyes closed, preferring to hope he would return to his dream. Katrin's dark hair and pale skin were just the sort of beauty the Brothers Grimm must have been inspired by to tell the story of Snow White, so long ago on the margins of this same forest. But in the dark, he wouldn't see her perfect moon face anyway. He rolled off her arm, and resolved to return to his dream... perhaps Katrin would join him atop the rubble of the wall this time, rousing the troops in German-accented Mongolian. Pehraps their sons would ride behind them, on their own valiant horses.

Or perhaps he would have to settle for dreaming of easier-but-not-easy things, like victory in Reykjavik.

Approved!

[Metafiction]

Jude Greer Player Page
Career Task 1: Biography
Career Task 2: Rookie Season
Career Task 3: Media Day
Career Task 4: Versatility
Career Task 5: Representing Your Nation
Career Task 6: International Superstar
Career Task 7: Navigating the Off-Season
Career Task 8: Nearing the Summit

[The following is a transcript of a selection from the Riding the Pine with Paul Merson* podcast released Monday, April 14, 2025. Certain portions have been edited for brevity and/or clarity.]

[transition music, eventually fading out]

MERSON: Welcome back to Riding the Pine with Paul Merson, the only podcast where yours truly weighs in on everything football. Before the break, we had turned our attention to the SSL, which is now gearing up for its 20th season. At this time I’m joined by a very special guest: none other than Jude Greer, captain of Tokyo Soccer Club. Thanks for being here, Jude.

GREER: Thanks for having me, Mr. Merson.

M: Just “Paul” is fine. Well, as I said just now, the new SSL season is starting soon, and Tokyo SC are looking to improve on their disappointing finish last season. What are your thoughts on your chances in the league this time out?

G: Well, Paul, I think we’ve got as good a chance as anybody. We had some tough results last season, missed a few opportunities, but we know we can beat anyone on our day. Lotta great guys and gals in our locker room, we’re all pulling the same direction, so the sky’s the limit.

M: At the start of your career, of course, you famously turned down a contract from Arsenal to join the SSL, where you eventually joined the Tokyo SC/Cairo City organization. Can you explain your thought process in making that decision?

G: The SSL is a really unique opportunity. I probably would’ve made more money with Arsenal, but I probably wouldn’t have gotten near as much enjoyment out of it as I have at Tokyo. This locker room is special, man. I’m in the best shape of my life, too—Coach Bale’s whipping us all into shape, and I’ve been taking fitness tips from Zlatan [Ibruhimovic, Tokyo striker]. You can’t buy an experience like this.

M: Your organization was very active in the draft this offseason, signing an entire new squad’s worth of players from a historic draft class. What do you make of this class of rookies so far?

G: They’re all fired up, man. That big dude Ronflex is really impressing me with his defense, Xavius Kenderlin has a lotta potential, Alexis Ramos might even be faster’n me. And of course there’s TERMINUS ULTIMUS—dunno what to make of him, always talkin’ about “THE TIME OF RECKONING BEING AT HAND” and “THE SOULS OF THE DAMNED HAUNTING OUR FOES” and what not. But he’s not so bad once you get talkin’ to him.

M: Is it a sign of a lack of faith in the players for management to rebuild so aggressively? If you were as close to success last season as you say, why draft so many players?

G: It ain’t about lack of faith, it’s just about trying to build a team and aim for the top. I could walk into the field with ten goats and I’d still be giving it everything I got. Don’t matter to me who you are, if you’re wearing a Tokyo or Cairo shirt, I’ll fight for you out there.

M: Spoken like a captain indeed. You’re going into your eighth season with the Tokyo SC/Cairo City organization; you spent two seasons with the minors affiliate Cairo before being promoted to the Tokyo squad. Yet in that time you’ve only won one SSL Cup. At what point do you start to think, “am I ever going to win another trophy?”

G: That ain’t a fair question, Paul. We bust our humps every day in training, we run ourselves to death on that field every matchday, because we believe we can win every match we play. It ain’t about trophies, man. It’s about the game. It’s about soccer.

M: But do you worry that, as you reach the peak of your career, you may see your best seasons slip away without anything to show for it?

G: Man, I’ve already got something to show for it. Remember that Cup you mentioned? That was my first season in the Majors. Lifting that trophy with the team was the best damn thing that never happened to me. That’s why I got into this sport, man. That’s what soccer’s about for me. Even if we never win anything else, that’s gonna be with me forever.

M: So are you content, then, with just that one trophy?

G: Hell no! Yeah, it felt great. But I wanna win more. I want to win alas much as I can. I want the league, man. We want the league. The Cup is amazing, but everyone wants a league title too.

M: You’re one of the biggest stars in the SSL; is it time to move on to a team like Reykjavik or Black Forest or Uniao São Paulo to win trophies? Does Tokyo’s ambition match your own?

G: Of course they do! I’m not going anywhere. Quote me on that. Tokyo have shown a whole lotta faith in me, and I’m bound and determined to prove they made the right choice. This club can win trophies, I know it. What kind of question even is that?

M: Just asking questions here, Jude.

G: Well, here’s your answer. I’m Tokyo ‘til I die.

M: Strong words, Jude. I wouldn’t rule anything out—

G: I would.

M: Pardon?

G: This team, these teammates, this club—hell, the whole city of Tokyo—it means a lot to me. They gave me a chance to really shine. Who would I be to pass up the chance to stick with them for my entire career? This has been a hell of a ride, and I’m not done yet. We’re gonna win the league or crash and burn trying, and you can quote me on that.

M: Well, I’m getting the signal that we’re out of time, but it’s been a wonderful time talking with you, Jude. Best of luck to you this season.

G: Thanks, Paul.

[transition music fades in]

M: After the break, I’ll be joined by Lee Dixon and Martin Keown, where we’ll do nothing but gush about Mikel Arteta and insult the manhood of Ange Postecoglou for a full, uninterrupted hour. Don’t go away.

(1040 words)

*Please note that this is a fictional podcast and that the above depiction of Paul Merson does not necessarily reflect the actual views of the real Paul Merson. Please also note that I included this disclaimer solely to prevent being sued by Paul Merson or his legal team. Seriously please don’t sue me Merse I don’t have that kind of money

Approved! with no lawyers consulted at all.

[Puppy]

Player Page
Career PT #8

The legacy of Zhihao is one centered all about teamwork and commitment. When starting off in the Minor Leagues, he was a high-work rate midfielder with a knack for playing a killer pass and scoring a long range goal. However, during his growth, Schwarzwalder needed a new striker to help their major league push, and Zhihao stepped into the role without a second thought. Working for the team to help the team, he aided in establishing SFV as one of the premier teams of the S10’s-S20’s, winning cups and titles along the way. While never the most flashy goal scorer, he always did his part for the team, and along with his all of his incredible teammates along the way, tasted bitter defeat, and the sweet joys of victory  through the seasons. With so many young and talented players coming up, Zhihao hopes that fans from Germany, China, and even across the globe, see in him not just a goal scorer seeking the headlines, but a player committed to team success above everything else.



Approved! - he has Mongolian fans too, you know.

[Squid]

CPT 8
Player Page


It is hard to believe that Marco Tentacles is already entering his 8th Season after leaving the Academy, looking back he is grateful for the career that he has had so far. Falling to Reykjavik United at 8th Overall after winning the Academy League, he was one of only few players in SSL History to win the SSL Cup with a minor league team. When Tentacles was called up to the Majors Club he was part of the team that broke the Reykjavik curse of losing 6 consecutive SSL Cup finals, earning him his 2nd in his young career. 

Tentacles has had success at every level so far and hopes to continue to help Reykjavik push towards the top of the table each season. Earning an Academy Championship with Victoria Falls, 3 Minor League Championships with North Shore United, 3 Major League Championships with Reykjavik United, Rookie of the Year Honours, 3 SSL Cups, a Minor League TOTY, and a Golden Eye so far, Tentacles has won almost everything he can win. The only goal now is to make the Major League TOTY and he will have accomplished everything a Left Back can do in this league.

Approved - What a career!

[Domffl]

CPT 8

Wow. Here it is. Dia's peak season is finally here. While it won't be a sharp decline over the hill, this is still a surreal feeling knowing that this is the last season before Dia hits the first regression. And with the changes to the regression sequence, the time between the first regression and the last has been significantly reduced. It's sad to say that there are probably only 3-5 more seasons of Ali Dia playing for Hollywood before being relegated to Kaapstad when younger players pass him in TPE. But that is not the end. Even in Kaapstad, Dia will continue to play at a high level. Dia's legacy will be one of perseverance. Despite being "demoted" to Kaapstad in a few seasons, he will still continue to play until he is a liability to the team before he thinks about retiring. Ali Dia's legacy will be one that is mostly hosted in the shadows. You won't see his name on a ton of top 10 lists, but he will forever be a part of the dynastic rebuild that Hollywood went through from S14-present.

Approved - Even though I was only the grader for CPT 8/9 for Dia I enjoyed the reads and look forward to watching the back half of Ali's career play out. Still lots of football to be played! 

[Xotcin]

CPT 8

Williams is finally over the hill and starting to think about the future after the most beautiful game ends. His career is far from over, but it is no secret the body is going to start declining and not be able to keep up like the kids around him. There is still so much work to do. Leagues to win, Cups to lift, awards to challenge for. Luckily for Williams, he has a great organization behind him offering their full support. If there is one thing Williams would like to be remembered for when it is finally his time, it would be his dedication to Schwarzwälder. He never strayed from the organization and never wanted to, this place is home.

[120]

Approved - Lots of football still to come for Williams!