Journey

71

Jucinara's POV

"Here you go Juice." Sofia Huerta says as she hands me a piece of paper.

"Thanks." I say then I take the paper and look at it.

USA 2023 WORLD CUP SQUAD

1-Emma Harris
2-Sofia Huerta
3-Emily Fox
4-Jucinara
5-Sam Mewis
6-Morgan Brian
7-Abby Dahlkemper
8-Julie Ertz
9-Lynn Williams
10-Catarina Macario
11-Sarah Gorden
12-Tierna Davidson
13-Alex Morgan
14-Talia Martin
15-Andi Sullivan
16-Rose Lavelle
17-Tobin Heath
18-Kristie Maxwell
19-Crystal Dunn
20-Alana Cook
21-Casey Murphy
22-Mal Pugh
23-Christen Press
24-Jane Campbell
25-Midge Purce
26-Jaelin Howell

"26 players is so weird." Christen says from next to me.

For some reason FIFA upped the number of players per squad to 26.

Marta, who will become the new FIFA President after the World Cup, says she's gonna revert the number of players back to 23.

Lindsey and Emily got injured on the final matchday of the season which is why he aren't on the team.

I may not like Lindsey, but I wouldn't wish missing out on a tournament through injury on anyone.

Kelley just stopped getting called up after the November 2022 friendlies so I'm not shocked she didn't get picked.

"Very weird." Alex says as I pass the list to her.

After I pass the list, I eat my lunch the people at my table talk.

"I'm gonna be bored today." I say.

"Same." Emma and Talia say.

Today's World Cup Media day and for a long time, Talia, Emma, and I haven't done media.

"It's gonna be interesting when you three do a joint press conference." Tobin says.

"Well this is gonna be entertaining." Christen mumbles.

I shrug then I eat my food while keeping an eye on my 5 year olds who are sitting in-between Talia and Emma.

When I finish eating, I lean against my wife.

"Chrissy." I whisper.

"Yeah baby?" Christen says.

"Do I have to do the press-conference?"

"Sadly Baby." Christen says making me pout.

My wife chuckles then she leans down.

"After you do it, I'll have someone look after the kids before dinner then I'll let you do anything you want to me." Christen whispers.

"Deal." I say.

Christen chuckles then she pecks my lips.

After my wife kisses me, Emma, Talia, and I grab our trash, throw it away, then we top up our drinks before we head out to the press conference area with Shadow and Nalu.

As we're walking to the press conference area, I grab a pillow and a blanket.

When we get to the press conference room, I sit down in-between Emma and Talia.

Once we're sat down, I put my drink down, throw the blanket over me, then I put the pillow on Talia's shoulder.

"Nice caption." Talia says then she shows me a picture I posted on instagram.

The picture is of me modeling for re-inc.

My caption for the picture is I'm not no fashionista, but I'm fly though.

"Thanks." I say as I rest my head on the pillow. "You're comfy."

Talia chuckles then my friends chuckle as they each wrap a protective arm around me.

A few minutes later I hear a bunch of people shuffle in as I pet Nalu.

"This is being recorded right?" I whisper.

"Mhmm." Emma and Talia say. "And it's being live-streamed."

"They better be quiet." I whisper. "It's sleepy time."

My friends chuckle then the press conference begins so I stay quiet until someone says some stupid shit.

"What do your tattoos mean?" Some man asks.

"It means we look good naked." I say without opening my eyes. "Next Question."

"What is your problem with the media Juice?" Some journalist asks.

"My friends get to call me Juice." I say. "You and I aren't friends so to you it's Jucinara, Jucinara Press, or Mrs. Press."

"What is your problem with the media Jucinara?" The same journalist asks.

"My problem is that you treat us like fucking robots." I say as I adjust my head on the pillow. "I have had many of you contact me and my wife at all hours of the night asking for quotes, comments, or other shit for your articles."

"True." Emma and Talia whisper.

"We're normal people to so stop treating us like robots." I say. "Until yo start treating us like humans, I and probably a lot of my teammates won't have any time for you."

"What she said." Emma and Talia say.

"Speaking of articles." I say. "If you only use pace, speed, and or power to describe a player, especially a black or brown player, then that let's me and other players know you're a shit journalist."

"True." Emma and Talia say.

"My other problem is that you all need to realize that the faces of US Soccer are black." I say. "Emma Harris and Talia Martin are the faces of US Soccer and Football in general."

"You are too." Emma whispers making me smile and squeeze the keepers leg.

"Talia started the best thing to ever happen to women's football." I say. "And Emma Harris was the first professional sports player to own a top tier team and she came back from basically fucking dying."

It's so weird that the media just washes over the fact that Emma almost died.

"You all always put the white ladies in your articles, even when they have fuck all to do with the article."

Most of the time article headlines include Alex, Lindsey, Julie, or basically any other white woman on the team even though most of the articles aren't about them.

Everytime this happens, our team group chat lights up we flame the fuck out of the journalist who wrote the article

"Well tell us how you really feel." Someone says.

"I just gave you a glimpse." I say.

"Why are you here then?" Some lady asks.

"Because I'm required to be." I say. "We're about to play in one of the biggest tournaments of our lives so why would I want to spend a day with people who treat me like shit when I could be bonding with my teammates, getting in some extra training, or using today as a time to relax with my family before we have a month of stress?"

Times like this are when I wish Heif would stick up for us and tell the press were not available.

"Now if you'll excuse me." I say. "I have a nap to get too."

"You three are good to leave." Someone says then I hear Emma's chair push back.

A few seconds later, I'm lifted into Emma's arms.

"Come on Juice." Emma says as Talia hands me my pillow. "Let's go nap."