Are you it for me?

Gold Cup

It's been a month since Jessie left Chelsea. Niamh and Jessie had to get used to not being together all the time. Niamh leaned on Zecira when she started to miss Jessie more. Niamh even learned how to cook from Z because she wants to surprise Jessie with her improvement of cooking.  Before Jessie got to play for Portland, she went to the Gold cup. This is Jessie's first tournament as the new captain. 

The Gold Cup started off great for Canada. They won their group stage without conceding any goals. Jessie had two assists and almost scored two goals. Jessie had a PK kick in the Costa Rica group stage game, but missed it off the crossbar. For the quarter final against Costa Rica it seemed that Canada had a hard time scoring. Canada had so many chances, even Jessie put up a shot but it went wide. Luckily in overtime Evelyn Viens scored a header from Jessie's free kick. This now put Canada into the semi-finals against the US. 

This game should've been canceled and rescheduled as it was pouring rain on the pitch in San Diego. The pitch was flooded with water making the ball hard to roll through the grass. Jessie and Lindsey Horan tried to talk to the ref about these conditions, but the CONCACAF executives told the ref to continue the game. Not one of these players had fun in the game. This was a high anticipated game that would showcase both sides talents, but it was ruined because of the rain. Instead the game relied on being smart and to try to out run one another. Niamh was watching the game alone back home. Niamh thought this was ridiculous and hoped no one would get hurt especially Jessie. The US scored the first goal because of a back pass that would usually go to the keeper but it stopped because of the rain and Jaedyn Shaw put the ball in the back of the net. Canada was desperate to score before the game was over and in the 82 minute Jordyn scored a header. This put the game into overtime. US forward Sophia Smith scored in the 99th minute. Canada trying to find an equalizer at the last minute as 120 minutes is coming to an end. Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher comes out of her box hitting defender Vanessa Gilles as she was trying to get the ball to score. The ref declared a PK. Most people thought it would be Jessie taking the kick instead it was Adriana Leon.  Leon scores the perfect penalty taking the game into PK kicks to decide who goes to the final. This would be Canada's second game that was over 90 minutes. Leon would be taking the first penalty, unfortunately it was saved. Then Sophia Smith took the first for the US, sinking the ball into the net.  Jordyn Huitema and Korbin Albert missed theirs. Quinn and Alyssa Naeher made theirs.  Next up was Jessie. Jessie knew she needed to score this one as the US had the advantage already. Jessie has practiced so many PK's. Jessie picked the left side hoping the ball would pass the keeper, unfortunately Naeher guessed it right and saved it. Up next was Lindsey Horan and she made her PK letting the US win the game. Jessie was disappointed that she couldn't help her team win. Jessie thought if only she made her PK that could've changed things, but she was proud of how Canada fought back into this game. The whole tournament Canada was dominant, except,  for this one night where rain was a factor for them. Jessie knew that if rain wasn't the factor the outcome would've been different. Jessie marked the She Believes Cup as her revenge when they get to play the US again. 

Niamh was on the edge of her seat. Niamh knew she had training at 10am and this would be a tight turn around. When Niamh saw Jessie miss her PK, her heart broke for her. Niamh knew Jessie would be down on herself, she saw it at the Real Madrid game. Niamh just wanted to give Jessie a hug. As Niamh was getting ready for bed Jessie called her. After the game Jessie didn't want to talk to anybody on the Canadian team. Jessie told them how proud she was of them and that this lost hurt, but that was it. Jessie didn't want any comfort. Jessie only wanted Niamh. Jessie decided to call Niamh even though it was early morning her time and would understand if she didn't pick up, but she did. Niamh: Hello Jessie was silent. Niamh: Do you want to just stay on the phone until we fall asleep? Jessie: Yes please. Niamh and Jessie both fell asleep quickly as they were both tired.

Jessie continued to watch Chelsea from afar. Jessie watched Chelsea win against Arsenal 3-1 at Stamford Bridge. Jessie missed her old team, but was excited for this new journey with Portland. Jessie knew she would see her old teammates every now and again when she goes to visit Niamh or for a National game. Jessie had other offers from WSL clubs, but she didn't want to play for anybody, but the Blues. Jessie was proud of Niamh for captaining Chelsea to a win against Arsenal. Jessie remembers the last game they played Arsenal it was 4-1 at the Emirates and Jessie played in that game assisting a goal. Afterwards the whole team felt disgusted in that loss because that was not to their standard.

Niamh watched Jessie's first game as a Thorn. Niamh was proud of Jessie for making the starting line up. The beginning of the game did not look great for the Thorns. It was 3-0 against Kansas City. Before the half was ending, Jessie made an assist to Sophia Smith in the 42 Minute. The entire game was filled with goals. Portland came back, but couldn't get the win making the score 5-4. Considering Jessie only had two training sessions with Portland it wasn't as bad as it could've been. They showed grit and determination to stay in the game. Jessie couldn't help but compare the difference between Portland and Chelsea. Jessie made some passes that she would make with Chelsea, but it didn't work with Portland resulting in a turnover. Most of all Jessie missed her friends at Chelsea. It wasn't easy watching them continue to win and find success. Jessie called Niamh to tell her of her worries. Jessie: I miss you and I miss the team. What if I made the wrong choice? Niamh: It was one bad game. You only had two training sessions with them. You haven't found your rhythm within the team yet. Just wait and be patient. You'll do great. I miss you too and so does the team. Niamh wanted Jessie back, but she knew this move was right for Jessie. Niamh just had to encourage her. Niamh and Jessie would continue to support each other abroad.