Letters

82

Katana's POV

"Here Kit-Kat." Christen says as she passes me today's line-up for our final send-off game that's taking place here in New York.

"Thanks future sister-in-law." I say causing Christen to blush.

I chuckle at Christen's reaction then I read tonight's line-up.

1-Katana Solo(C)
25-Sarah Gorden
4-Alana Cook
20-Naomi Girma
26-Midge Purce
19-Crystal Dunn
10-Catarina Macario
11-Lynn Williams
9-Sophia Smith
14-Talia Martin
23-Christen Press

Cairo let me choose the line-up for todays game since we're playing Ukraine so I decided to give all the black and brown ladies that are on the World Cup Roster the start today.

After I look at the line-up, I pass it behind me then relax with my doggies.

Once at Harlem River Stadium, the bus parks then everyone gets off and heads to the locker room.

When we get to the locker room, everyone puts their stuff down in their respective lockers.

Once my stuff is in my locker, my teammates and I head outside for the pitch inspection.

After we've inspected the pitch, my teammates and I head back to the locker room.

When I get to my locker I take my AirPods out, I take out my nose ring, I take off my necklaces, earrings, bracelet, watch, and my rings, put my jewelry in it's safe then I put my jewelry safe and AirPods in my bag.

Once I'm jewelry free I take off my tracksuit and put my dark brown locs up in a ponytail then I put on my short sleeve lime green undershirt, my warm up top, and I put on my game shorts.

I then sit down in my locker and put on my socks, my shin pads and my red boots.

After my boots are on I tape my wrists, hands, and fingers then I put on my lime green keeper gloves before I head onto the field with the other keepers.

When I get on the pitch I run through my warm ups with the keepers for a while then head back to the locker room.

Once in the locker room I change out of the training top and change into my red keeper jersey while Cairo does her last minute talks.

When the last minute talks end, we are told to head to the tunnel so I grab my towel and water bottle then Appa, Socks, and I do as told.

Once in the tunnel, I walk over to Amy.

"Hi Amy." I say with a smile.

"Hi Munchkin." Amy says then I hug her.

"So when is my niece and or nephew arriving?" I ask.

Talia helped Amy and Amy's wife Xena get pregnant late last year.

I'm pretty sure Talia and Leah fucked Amy to get my favorite retired forward pregnant.

Amy and Xena haven't revealed the gender of their baby or how many babies they're having.

"August 13, 2023." Amy says.

"So you'll miss the challenge cup?" I ask.

"Probably." Amy says.

"Aww." I say.

Amy chuckles then we are told to head out onto the field for the prematch stuff so Amy and I lead everyone out onto the field.

Once on the field we stand in line as everyone is introduced along with the woman who was our player escort.

"AND FINALLY YOU'RE CAPTAIN FOR TODAY, NUMBER 1, KATANA SOLO." The Stadium PA lady says then the crowd cheers as I wave. "AND BEING ESCORTED BY KATANA, PLEASE WELCOME AMY RODRIGUEZ."

After Amy's announced, she waves then everyone stands for the Ukrainian anthem.

When the Ukrainian anthem starts playing, I softly sing the anthem while Emma and Amy softly rub my back.

Ще не вмерла України і слава, і воля,
Ще нам, браття молодії, усміхнеться доля.
Згинуть наші воріженьки, як роса на сонці.
Запануєм і ми, браття, у своїй сторонці.

Душу й тіло ми положим за нашу свободу,
І покажем, що ми, браття, козацького роду.

"Fuck." I mumble when I notice a few tears fall from my eyes then I wipe my eyes with jersey.

Once the American anthem is announced, myself, most of the women going to the world cup, and most of the former national team players we escorted out kneel for our anthem.

"You're gonna have to help me up Katana." Amy whispers as the American anthem begins.

When our anthem finishes, we stand up then we shake hands with the Ukrainian players.

After we shake hands, we take a starting XI picture and a full team picture with our player escorts, I do the coin toss, then I head back to the large group of current and former national team players.

One of the former players leads us in the oosa chant then I lead Appa and Socks to the bench.

"Stay here pups." I say

Appa and Socks yip and smile at me so I scratch their heads then I jog to my position on the field.

Once I'm at my goal, I hang my towel up on the net, put my water in the net then Alana and Naomi come over and fist bump me before they head to their spots.

"Alright people." I mumble as the game begins. "Let's get this shit over with."

90 long minutes later the game ends in a 4-0 win then we transition to the send-off ceremony.

"Finally." I mumble as I finish peeling all the tape off my hands then I throw the tape ball in a nearby trash can.

"I know you tape your hands for stability and protection, but it seems like such a hassle." Talia says.

"It is, but I'd rather not have broken wrists." I say then I take my shoes and socks off.

After I take my shoe's and socks off, Aurora takes them from me then she heads to the locker room.

"Well okay then." I say. "THANKS."

"WELCOME." Aurora shouts.

"She's a bit odd." Sahara says.

"Mhmm." I say then the send-off ceremony begins. "When do I go?"

"Before me and after Christen." Talia says. "Everyone else goes in numerical order."

"Oh." I say then I wait for my name to be called.

After waiting a few minutes, I get handed a shirt to throw into the crowd.

"You're on." Some lady with a headset says then I walk towards the archway thing that was set up.

"GIVE IT UP FOR NUMBER 1, KATANA SOLO." Some lady loudly says as I pass under the archway. "AND HER SERVICE DOGS APPA AND SOCKS."

After I'm announced, I wave at the crowd then I throw the t-shirt I was given into the upper deck of the stadium before my doggies and I head over to my teammates.

Once I'm with my teammates, Talia gets introduced then she does a little interview before we take a team picture.

"Alright people." Crystal says. "Let's go eat."