The Roster for World Cup 68
About Legalese
Legalese is a gargantuan, cultured nation in the hallowed Northeast
of Atlantian Oceania. Spanning two landmasses: the mainland, on
the eastern side of the Calanian continent, fitting inhabitants between
Lake Bekk on the west, the Nemyan Strait and Calanian Sound on the
east, Starblaydia to the north, and New West Guiana to the south; and
the more recently inhabited Karin Islands, a temperate-zoned landmass
(and smaller included barrier island) opposite the strait from the mother
country. For nearly three centuries since the first true organization of the
Legalites, the People of Legalese have spent the majority of their history
in the shadow of their neighbors, including two periods of occupation by
Starblaydia, the latter during the troubled times of Operation Galactica.
Having rebuilt and colonized in the near-century since, they no longer just
seek their own survival, but a place in the international community.
The Team:
Players are listed by their shirt number, followed by name, age,
and club affiliation.
Keepers:
1 - Evan Swales, 30, Tyrellia Titans. Sometimes, it takes
playing for a champion to get you noticed. Swales, a Tyrellian
by birth, has played for his home club for seven seasons now,
the last five as the primary netminder, where he has been, in the
eyes of many, one of the keys to the Titans’ consecutive league
titles. His first appearances came in the backup role during
qualifying for World Cup 67, before being tapped as the starter
for the AOCAF.
23 - Morrissey Beaudine, 23, Oker United. Beaudine, a native
of Francopolis, was lured out west by promises of a consistent
spot in the eighteen for the M-League side, not seeing the same
prospects with his prospective league side, Argyle Warriors.
His work with the Okerson side has turned out surprisingly well
for him, getting the nod for all twenty-six league matches, as well
as being named the starter for four of the five matches the
National Team played in AOCAF 42.
Defense:
2 - Benson Black, 30, Knights of Tiberia. A poor run of form
doomed the Knights in National League play, but nobody
seems to attribute it to Ben Black, whose play on the outer
defense was aggressive at times - he suffered one direct red,
a red off of a double-yellow, and two other yellow cards in
league play - but is widely credited with keeping the Tiberian
side from falling back to the M-League.
3 - Gnaeus Shoobridge, 22, Comunas Cougars
4 - Kenny Stroud, 31, International of Tyrellia. A mainlander
by birth, Stroud moved to the islands in his early teens with
his mother. Having played a little recreationally, he was
convinced by a friend to try out for the youth club based in
the highlands, International. He’s been a key part of the club
since, in addition to spending the previous few cycles on the
National Team.
5 - Jeff Donaldson, 25, Turoki Tide. (Vilitian Stellar Division)
Donaldson, formerly of Myre Town, picked a good season
to make the move abroad, joining the Vilitian League side
Turoki Tide. In 36 games for the Tide, he provided a solid
presence on the back line for the Tide, who would earn a
UICA place, while his old club went down to the M-League.
It is hoped that his international experience will help him
take a more permanent spot on the NT side, having made
three appearances and two starts in the previous cycle.
19 - Gruffudd Masters, 22, Comunas Cougars.
Collectively, the central back duo of Shoobridge
and Masters, aka. “Gruff and Ready”, have had
mounds of praise heaped upon them for their league
work - the Cougars were the team with the fewest
goals allowed all season - and their continuing work in
Audioslavia for AOCAF 42. The naming of Shoobridge to
the Eleven without Masters is, simply put, a surprise.
21 - Eudav Kaszinski, 25, Bekknia FC - also an alum
from the AOCAF 42 squad, Kaszinski managed as
the left wing-back for the Sagdineo side, turning in a
finish that, while mid-table, was a bit higher than
expected.
Midfield:
6 - Cade Zorich, 25, Portsmouth United
7 - Cyrus Damhan, 30, International of Tyrellia.
Born in Erodoeth, discovered by International. Team
Captain by age 22, and national teamer at around the
same time. There’s a reason the quiet, hard-working
son of a teamster and a server is on the back of the
model kits. He’s at his peak, though, so now’s his time
to shine.
8 - Slade Brahm, 30, Draig Goch FC. Slade’s career
has developed alongside Cyrus’s, only on the opposite
side of the strait. Known for solid, consistent, but not
flashy play, he has been the reliable outside midfielder,
driving the Red Dragons to snag the Federation Open
Cup, finish third in the National League, and ride the
wave into UICA competition, fighting for a Globe Cup
place in the group stage.
10 - Chance Cloman, 23, Straitside FC.
16 – Ty Henderson, 34, Tiberian City
17 – Blake Carter, 26, Francis City
Up Front:
11 - Xavier Boyle, 31, (Vilitian Stellar Division)
For Xavier, the club turmoil continues, as he left Milona-Lpaka
for his fifth club in barely more than five years. That said, he
is the side’s most experienced striker. His proficiency up
top will be the difference on an attack-minded side.
9 - Quintus Oxboro - 21, Tyrellia Titans. Quintus, a native of the
Bekknian city of Morven, moved to Tyrellia with his family in his early
teens, and immediately demonstrated some talent on the pitch,
leading to the Titans offering him a place in their youth program,
and as the leagues went professional, a place on their senior side.
A breakthrough performance in the recent league season, including
a number of key goals down the stretch, helped him earn a spot on
the AOCAF roster, which in turn led to his nomination as Boyle’s new
primary striking partner. While he faltered at times, going six matches
without a goal in the tail end of qualifiers, Quintus remains the choice.
12 - Titus Leopoldo, 25, Draig Goch FC
13 - Jake Detzler, 22, Comunas Cougars
Manager: Stan Thate. Thate, in his mid forties, climbed
the coaching ladder quickly, going from retirement as a player to
assistant to NT Manager Hamish McKinley, before being suddenly
named Interim Manager on the eve of the 55th Cup of Harmony.
The snagging of the nation’s first international trophy - and first CoH
win in three finals appearances - locked him into the position, which
he has now held for six cycles, and four qualifications - the latter
number the most of any Legalese NT manager. The Federation,
despite the punters picking him to get the boot after failing to
qualify for World Cup 67, decided to keep him around, especially
after winning the host bid. Anything short of the Round of 16 - the
best performance in history for the NT - seems destined to send him
packing for good.
Coach: Liam Todd. Todd, a long veteran of the NT side, has the
benefit of over a decade of national team play, as well as a cycle
as the player-coach to Thate. With twelve international goals to
his name, and countless others prevented, it came of little surprise
that he’d be tapped as he hits his late thirties, and trades in a playing
career with a coaching tenure. In fact, one could say that his path
is the typical breeding ground for the NT staff, most especially that of
his boss and predecessor in the player-coach role.
The Eleven:
Notes:
Kits, provided by Kirola of Audioslavia (after a few tries):
