USWNT & NWSL One-Shot Collection

^* - H.Solo/Reader - 2019 World Cup - Part 1

February 2019

POV: Y/N

It was a calm night watching a Marvel movie - as per tradition in our house for a Sunday evening, when the ringing of my phone interrupted everything. Sighing, I pulled myself from our cuddle pile and grabbed the offending object. The caller ID had me hesitating slightly. It was a name that hadn't called me in nearly three years.

"It's Jill Ellis..." I said, looking at my newly-wed wife.

"You gonna answer it? It's the only way to find out what she wants." she asked softly.

I answered the phone. "Hello, Coach Ellis... to what do I owe the honor."

"Hello Y/LN." She greeted, hesitating slightly. "I'm in need of a goalie, I heard that you had some goalie training and actually have time between the posts with your club."

"Yeah, I went in a few times as a replacement due to injury, then I started getting starts as well. I think I have 15 clean sheets in the 16 games I've played." I answered, wondering where this was going.

"I have Naeher and Harris, but I need a third goalie. My honest first choice US Soccer would say an instant no to." Ellis hinted, and I understood.

"So you want to call me up because Hope trained me, as a replacement for Hope herself." I explained.

"Essentially. You never actually retired, nor were you banned or suspended from playing by US Soccer, you are eligible. The question becomes, are you available?"

"Let me make sure I understand what you are asking, and then I need to speak to my wife." I took a breath. "You are asking me to join the team, not as my normal position as a defender, but as a backup goalie. You have already checked with US Soccer and they have given the go-ahead to call me up?"

"Pretty much. You would be going against Naeher and Harris for your ranking as 1, 2, or 3. But yes."

I looked at Hope and she looked excited. "You should do it. You supported me through everything that US Soccer did to me, but you never actually gave up your own spot."

"It's the World Cup, babe. I haven't played with the National Team since the 2016 Olympics."

"And you have only gotten better, stronger, faster since. Plus this is the Keeper title, not defender. You can do this." Hope argued softly, just barely loud enough for Ellis to hear someone else in the room.

"Y/LN?" Ellis asked, gaining my attention.

"Sorry, I was discussing it with my wife, I just got married a few months ago." I explained. "I agree, I will be there."

"Thank you, Y/LN." Ellis said. "You are really saving me on this."

"It's going to be interesting." I commented, before I heard her start to say something only to cut herself off.

"You said you got married?" Ellis asked.

"Yeah, just a couple months ago actually. Very private ceremony."

"Will you be wanting to wear your married name?"

"For now, let's stick with Y/LN. When I get to camp, I'll explain and we can discuss having my married name on my jersey. Do we know what jersey numbers are available?" I had a sly grin on my face. I really wanted a jersey with the number 1 on it.

"Once we nail down who is what rank, we will. The numbers right now are 1, 21, and 24."

I had to stop myself from laughing. I could only imagine that US Soccer would HATE for my married name to be back in the #1 jersey again.