Finally Breathing

~ Chapter 26 ~

A/N

None of these games are going to be the same as the World Cup, mainly because I'm English and would rather not replay that particular game :)

Time Skip: World Cup 2019

Sky's POV

It was the morning of our first group game. The World Cup was here, and the USWNT were ready to show the world what we were about: winning.

Life had been crazy since I was adopted. I graduated high school with a perfect 4.0 GPA, getting scholarship offers from an insane range of colleges, from my dream college Stanford to Ivy League Harvard. As of yet I hadn't accepted any, mainly because I was unsure of what I wanted to do with my life. Being part of the National Team had really opened up my eyes  to the possibilities of jumping straight into my soccer career, having been offered a spot at Chicago Red Stars along with Spanish side Barcelona. I dreamt of the sun and sand, the laughs I could have with my teammates over in Europe. I was tempted, but first of all I had to focus on the World Cup.

"You ready to smash it today?" Mom asked me, clapping my shoulder as she gathered her gear and loaded onto the team bus, Chris, or Mom number 2, close behind her. 

I laughed, dumping my own gear below the seats, "I guess. I don't even know if I'm starting yet, and I probably don't deserve to." 

"Hey, you'll be fine." Mom 2 commented from slightly in front of me.

My debut had been a nightmare. We were put against a very strong England side, captain Steph Houghton leading their lineup as they slotted goal after goal against us. We had so few attacks that each were futile, the ball getting tangled between our feet as we tried to play upfield and work the combos that usually broke apart the defence of previous teams. Our strategy had been tried and tested so often that it left us confused and deflated when it didn't against a rival country that we usually edged past. I had to give credit to England: they were solid, not letting us poke the ball through at any opportunity. Besides that it was a disaster, a game that I would not regret forgetting about forever. Final score: England 4, US 0.

The bus ride was quiet, the team tense as we anticipated the sound of the whistle signalling the start of the game. I had my earphones in listening to Ed Sheeran's Divide album, head resting on Tierna's shoulder as she smiled at me, tight-lipped. I closed my eyes and allowed myself to fall into a light but much needed sleep.

~~

I could hear the roar of the stadium behind us, the fans chanting our names as it filled up. Our first game was against Sweden, an obvious very strong yellow and blue fanbase building up as we exited the bus just an hour earlier. I believed in this team, I knew that if we found the strength within ourselves we had the quality to win the tournament, to add another star to our shirt. 

A few moments later the staff walked into the room, Jill flicking through her notes as she searched for her team sheet. 

"Afternoon ladies," she began, "I think we are all aware that this game is important for us this tournament. It will allow us to set the tone in the style of play we choose, as well as show our opponents the team that they will come up against. After today I want every opposition to feel threatened. Our place isn't safe, this is a cup competition, which is why I want you all to show the other nations that their place isn't safe either." 

We shared glances, each one of us getting riled up for the game ahead.

"Now that I've said that, here is the squad for today's game."

1. Alyssa Naeher

5. Kelley O'Harra

7. Abby Dahlkemper