USWNT & NWSL One-Shot Collection

^^ - H.Solo/Reader - World Cup 2019 - Part 3

May 12, 2019

Santa Clara, California

POV: Y/N

I stood in line, directly behind Broon who was standing as captain for the game. Just a few days ago, I was told that I had earned my right as Keeper #1, meaning I could pick my number. I laughed softly and without hesitation wanted Jersey #1. US Soccer tried to stop it, but I earned my right and even the other goalies supported the decision. They both chose their respective numbers, leaving only Jersey #1. The USWNT would see a Solo back in Jersey #1.

It had taken a while for the senior members of the team to get over their upset at seeing me again. The goalies and I had gotten close quickly. It helped that we had played together before and knew each other well. Alex, JJ, Kelley and Broon didn't seem to be upset at me, but the same couldn't be said for the other senior players. The newer players, some I had met before, seemed to want to stay out of it. Wise idea honestly.

Carli and I seemed to ignore each other off the field, as we had originally agreed. On the field, however, we worked as best as we could. It helped that we really didn't have to do much with each other, with her being a forward and me between the posts.

Those that knew Carli and I had been together, had chosen sides and it took a lot of talking and trying to understand each other to squash the animosity between us. The last hold out was Morgan Brian, a middie. She seemed to have taken whatever bullshit Carli had said to heart and wasn't backing down. I did my best to get through everything.

We began to walk out onto the field for our first send off game. It would be the first time that the world would see the name SOLO on a goalie jersey since Hope was on the team. The utter silence that followed me walking out and my jersey being seen was intense. The team, and US Soccer, had not announced who had gotten the lead goalie spot. So seeing me walk out with the number 1 jersey and as the starter goalie was rather startling. I had seen the utter outrage and shock when my name was announced on the roster, specifically as a goalie rather than my former defender status.

I didn't bother to respond, merely retweeting the roster announcement with a few smile emojis. I also updated my social media to show my married name. It was a hell of a way to announce the marriage.

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POV: Hope

Watching my wife come out of the players tunnel and wearing our last name, with my old jersey number gave me chills. The utter silence that followed seeing the name Solo on the keeper's jersey was entertaining. I couldn't stop laughing. As the pregame ceremony went on, I was watching the team. I spotted the familiar faces and smiled, until I spotted Carli. The woman that had shattered my best friend. I was both completely upset with her, but I had to thank her too. If she hadn't fucked up... I wouldn't have married my best friend.

The game began and my eyes were on Y/N instantly. She was focused and bouncing on her toes as she kept her eyes on the field. The ball was kept mostly on the South Africa side for the first bit, but Y/N didn't let that stop her.

I spotted JJ on the side, getting cleaned up, but I had no idea what happened to her. She ended up having to switch her jersey due to blood, which seemed to be coming from her mouth. I shook my head and looked back just in time to see Whit boot the ball towards midfield. Just two minutes later, it went back to Y/N only to be booted back out to mid. The team kept it pretty solid for the most part. Around the 23 minute there was a nice attempt by the US, but a mis-timed ball to Heath from Press plus an offside call on Lavelle caused problems.

Just a few minutes later, O'Hara took a South African player down, and looked very upset about it. And once again JJ got sent off the pitch for blood.

The game was intense, but even as we hit the 30 minute mark, still no goals on either side. Pressy got set up for a corner kick, but played it short, and Mewis headed it up over the goal unfortunately.