CHASING GOLD: World Cup

Chapter 29

Wednesday
It was the Quarter Final against Japan. Alex had gotten up and began getting ready. Tobin got up soon after and got ready herself. When the two were ready, they stood outside Andy and Theo's room and knocked. The door opened several seconds later, revealing Andy in her 'Tobin Heath' jersey and jean shorts and untied Nike's. Theo came up behind her in her custom O'Solo jersey, jean shorts and under armor shoes. The four shared smiles and headed down to breakfast.

The room was buzzing when the four entered. "Ayooooo." Emily shouted when the four walked in. The four chuckled at Emily. Tobin gave her signature 'hang loose' hand sign. They got their food and sat down.

"Ok ladies." Jill started, standing at the front of the room. "Starting lineup. Hope, Abby, Becky, Kelley, Sonnett." She paused. "Moe, JJ, Kristie." Another pause. "Rose, Alex, Tobin." Jill looked up from her paper. "Tobin," Tobin looked up when her name was called.

"Yes coach?" Tobin asked.

"Captain." Jill said, smiling. The team clapped for Tobin and patted her on the back. Alex grabbed Tobin's hand and kissed her cheek.

"Congrats Captain Heath." Alex said, grinning like a mad man.

"Congrats mom." Andy said from beside Tobin. All Tobin could do was smile.

*****

The team walked into the tunnel. Alex walked along side Tobin until she got to her spot. "Go get 'em Cap." Alex said, slapping Tobin on the ass. Tobin looked at her and glared but then smiled. Tobin walked to the front of the line and stood in front of Hope.

"You got this Tobs." Hope whispered and put her hand on Tobin's shoulder. Tobin nodded and smiled, keeping her eyes straight forward.

The refs led the teams out of the tunnel. Tobin took in her surroundings. She looked at the sidelines and saw Andy smiling widely. She smiled back. Tobin walked up with the banner to the refs and Japan's captain, Saki Kumagai and fist bumped everyone. Tobin won the call and elected to start with the ball. She traded banners with Saki Kumagai and headed back to the team. They huddled up and Kelley spoke up. "Alright. Redemption at its finest ladies. Every time we play Japan, it's a redemption game. We got this. Stay in your positions, don't panic and play your asses off." Kelley looked around at the nodding players. "Let's get 'em." Kelley put her hand in. "Oosa on three. Oosa Oosa Oosaaaaaaa!" With that, the USA ran onto the field. Tobin got in position and found Alex's eyes. The two shared a smile. Tobin looked to the sidelines and found Andy's eyes. She smiled at her daughter who gave her a thumbs up and Tobin focused her eyes and head into the game. The whistle blew and the teams were off.

In the 23rd minute, Moe ran up the middle and passed out to Rose. Rose passed back to Kristie. Kristie pushed it up to Moe. Moe found Tobin and lofted the ball into the air. Tobin settled the ball and worked her feet around the Japanese player and captain, Saki Kumagai. She moved passed her quickly to collect the ball and found Alex and Rose streaking into the box. She lofted the ball up. Alex jumped up and headed the ball. The ball hit the keeper, Chika Hirao, in the hands but she didn't push it out far enough and it hit the side netting giving the USA a 1-0 lead. Alex spread her arms wide and found Tobin and ran to her. She jumped into Tobin's arms and the team celebrated. They got back into their positions to restart the game.

It was the 42nd minute and team USA was once again charging down the field. Moe had the ball and looked up to see Alex running freely with no defenders around her. She passed the ball and it went directly with Alex's feet letting her keep her pace. Alex got into the 18 and took a shot. Hirao punched the ball out to the left and Tobin collected it and took a shot. The ball hit the back of the net making the score 2-0. Alex again ran and jumped into Tobin's arms.

In the 47th minute, Japan's midfielder, Yui Hasegawa, passed the ball up to Mana Iwabuchi. She raced forward and passed back to Yuika Sugasawa who touched it just right and it hit the back of the net passed Hope. Japan brought themselves within one as the score was now 2-1.

In the 59th minute, Kelley brought the ball towards midfield. She miss-touched the ball and Japan's Mizuho Sakaguchi touched the ball up to Mana Iwabuchi. She passed it to Sugasawa who passed it back and Iwabuchi took the shot. It sailed towards the top of the goal and Hope tipped it over the bar. Japan lined themselves up for the corner. The ball was lofted in and Sugasawa headed the ball into the net. Hope stood up frustrated as she pleaded her case to the ref that she was shoved and she couldn't reach the ball but the ref didn't care. The score was now 2-2.

The ball went back and forth. USA would have the advantage then Japan. The final whistle blew. USA felt the feelings they had when the same game years ago went a similar way with the USA going home. They started extra time but with no scores from either team, the score stayed the same and they went into the second extra time. In the second extra time, Sugasawa was tripped in the box and was given the penalty kick. But good old Hope Solo stood tall and guessed right and stopped the ball. Several minutes later, with 2-2 still the score, a shootout was coming up. For Japan, the players shooting were Mana Iwabuchi, Saki Kumagai, Mizuho Sakaguchi, Yuika Sugasawa, and Yui Hasegawa. For the USA, Rose Lavelle, Kelley O'Hara, Julie Johnston, Alex Morgan and Tobin Heath.

Japan was first. Iwabuchi took the ball from the ref and placed the ball on the spot. She took a deep breath and waited for the ref. Hope Solo stood tall and proud in her goal as she took her stance. Hope took several deep breaths. Years ago, she couldn't stop enough shots to help the team win. She locked herself in to do her best this time around. Yes the game was riding on the USA making more shots then Japan but it also was up to Hope Solo to stop the Japan shots. She opened her eyes and got ready as the whistle blew and Iwabuchi ran forward.