Monday
It was about a week later and the hearts of the USA players pounded as they thought about their upcoming game against England. They knew today would be chippy and could potentially get nasty. Tobin stretched her arms and got out of bed. She kissed Alex on the forehead before kneeling in front of the bed, clasping her hands together. "Dear God. I want to ask you to watch over the team today. Make sure that no one gets hurt. Make sure that no England players get hurt. Stand by our sides today and help us get the win today. I would like to also ask you to watch over my daughter and her girlfriend. Please make sure my little girl has a fast and healthy recovery. And lastly, please bless Alex today. As always, I want her to have a great game but I know how England can play and I just want you to watch over her especially. Thank you. Amen." Before Tobin could stand up, she felt the bed move and then felt movement on her side. She looked to her right and saw Alex with her hands clasped and her eyes shut.
"Hey God. Um. I know we don't talk often but I want to ask if you can please bless the team but especially Tobin today. Please bless Andy on a speedy recovery and bless the team and help us win today. Thank you. Amen." Alex finished and opened her eyes. She turned and looked at Tobin who had a huge smile on her face. She pulled Alex into a hug.
"Thank you Lex." Tobin whispered, burying her head in Alex's neck.
"Of course my love." Alex whispered back. "Now. Let's get ready. We've got a game to win today." Alex said standing up and offering Tobin her hand. The two got ready and made their way down to breakfast.
*****
Tobin took the field with Alex beside her. She looked around at the screaming fans waving flags, holding signs, and jumping up and down. She looked to Alex who had walked to her position and smiled. Tobin closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened them, the whistle blew and she, Alex and Pinoe took off.
*****
It was the 14th minute and Pinoe ran up the left wing, head up and eyes scanning the field. She pushed the ball past the player heading straight for her and moved around her. She chased the ball and reclaimed it. Alex was running fast and Pinoe looked up towards her. Pinoe touched the ball to Alex. She didn't see what happened next as she was tackled hard and felt her ankle tweak in a way it shouldn't. "Fuck!" Pinoe yelled as she hit the turf and grabbed her ankle. The whistle blew and the ref ran over to Pinoe and the England player, Jill Scott, and pulled out the yellow card. Scott tried to protest but everyone had seen what happened. Pinoe banged her fist on the ground and the ref called for the medical team. They rushed out onto the field and checked on Pinoe. "My ankle." Pinoe said.
"What happened?" The trainer asked her.
"I felt it bend in a way it shouldn't be able to." Pinoe explained not wanting to go into too much detail. The trainer started checking Pinoe over.
Alex walked over to Tobin who had her hands on her head. "Tobs. Did you see what happened?" Alex asked her girlfriend.
Tobin nodded. "The England player, Scott, went for Pinoe's feet and not the ball." Tobin explained.
"Fuck." Alex said, frustrated. She put her hands on her head and started to pace around Tobin.
"Hey. Baby." Tobin said, moving her hands to grab Alex. "She'll be ok. If she has to leave the game, she has to leave the game. We've got this baby." Tobin said, trying to reassure her. "I really want to give you a hug but the world is watching." Tobin said smiling.
"I don't care. I need a hug." Alex said. Tobin nodded and pulled her girlfriend into a hug. They pulled out of their hug in time to see Pinoe being helped up. She put her arms around the trainers and didn't put any weight on her ankle. Tobin looked down, knowing that Pinoe was hurt.
"Guess I didn't pray hard enough." Tobin whispered to herself.
The ref made her way to the spot Pinoe was tackled and placed the ball. Sam stood over the ball as the teams got into position for the kick. She put her arm up and kicked the ball. It soared into the 18. Tobin and Alex were making their runs and Alex was able to get a touch on it. She pushed it towards the keeper, Karen Bardsley, who caught it and ran up towards the top of the box to roll it to one of her players.
*****
In the 35th minute, Sam passed the ball to Alex in the box. An England player, Millie Bright, decided to try and challenge Alex but ended up wiping her out instead. Alex hit the ground hard. Tobin ran up to Bright and got in her face. Before she could say anything, Kristie, Sam and JJ were pulling Tobin away. Tobin was pissed but immediately decided to check on Alex. She jogged over to her and bent over her girlfriend.
"Baby? Are you ok?" Tobin asked. Alex nodded and took a deep breath. She reached her hands out and Tobin grabbed them pulling her up to her feet. The team patted Alex on the back making sure she was ok. Tobin stayed by her. Alex bent over to fix her socks and shin guards. Tobin placed her hand on Alex's back and bent down with her. "I'm proud of you baby." Tobin said. "Keep fighting. We've got this."
The ref pointed to the spot for a penalty kick as the tackle happened inside the box. Alex, with the armband on now from Pinoe, took the ball from the ref. She placed it on the spot then backed up and waited. She watched Bardsley. Let's go...upper left 90. Alex thought to herself. The whistle blew and Alex took a deep breath. She ran towards the ball and connected it with her foot. Alex made the right call as the keeper, Bardsley, went right and the ball went left. Alex ran towards the corner flag with her arms out in celebration. She turned around and Tobin jumped into her arms. The team celebrated and headed back to their positions to restart the game.
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CHASING GOLD: World Cup
FanficAndy was your average high school student. She played soccer, did well in school had crushes etc. She wasn't just like everyone one though. Her mother was Tobin Heath. She doesn't know that, though. She's bounced around foster home after foster home...
