Spanish Guitar - By Leif Physt

[CptSquall]

**Sound of an old radio crackling on**

"Its a wild season winding down here in the SSL. S5 is watching along as the 2nd leg of the SSL Cup is set to begin in a mere 2 days. Shaping up to bear witness to the City Derby between Sydney City and Cairo City.
This also means defending Cup Champions FC Catalunya didn't make it very far. Elsewhere in the SSL itself, we only have 2 more matchdays. Catalunya sit on top of the table at present with 7 wins, 3 draws, and only 2 losses for 24 points and their goal differential is plus 9. I tell you all this because Hollywood FC has the EXACT same record down to the goal differential. It really does feel like either could take home the League banner here in S5. Both teams would do well not to forget about Sydney FC and S4 Cup Finalists Athenai FC, both of whom rock 20 points with 6 more up for grabs."

"This all brings about some excitement, particularly for the Spanish side. To become the first expansion side to win the League itself would be history making. How did this mighty team make it to this point? What changes were made after the S4 Cup final that may have helped push the Catalans to these history making endeavors?"

"The S4 Draft helped to bring in a new and young infusion of top end talent from all over the world. S4 players like Dogwood Maple and Floppy McFlopface have been instrumental in providing a smart, tactile offence and defender Leif Physt has proven himself to be a rock on the back end under the guidance of Jökull Júlíusson. In fact it was Dogwood Maple's team leading 6 goals that helped power the Catalans throughout the S4 cup, including in the 2-1 win over the Greeks to become the first expansion side to make off with said up. The Canadian striker was also 1 of 3 goal scorers in the 3-2 win over Tokyo FC to win their first Founder's Shield, another expansion side first."

That's what was playing on the radio this morning. Its on the television, online, and even in the Clubhouse in Barca. The city, the province, and even all of Spain is buzzing as if everyone already had too much coffee. I've had to shape up. Last season i was a bright eyed rookie on the pitch. Didnt have to start every game and could roll on the waves of fame to experience Barcelona like i was some uni kid out on spring break. The parties, the drinking, the women. Oh the women.

Before he stopped being a player/manager, Busquets came to me after the S4 Cup win and told me. "Leif, i've talked it over with the rest of the team. We want you to wear the Captain's Band this season." I was shocked. This monumental, humbling honor. I was not even this team's best rookie let alone best player. That is what made the Shield game is a huge stage. The newly crowned Cup Champion vs the Best in the League for S4. So personal to me. I was going to lead this team out onto the pitch. This was not a preseason or simple way to kick off the first table fixture. This game meant something massive. But we won. I kept myself calm as i always do.

Now we are here, i've kept laser focused since i got here. Telling everyone that step 1 was the S4 Cup and we did it. Step 2 was the S5 Shield and we won that. Now with our last 2 games waiting. Step 3 is the League. While the S5 Cup plays out its fixtures this weekend i wait. We train hard as a well oiled team. But we must take time to relax. It is important that we do not hold onto such massive stress from being so close to our goal. A young team, reaching the heights because of the limitless energy our youth gives us.

So lets take it, use that limitless energy of our misspent youth to capture greatness.