USWNT: A New Era

Chapter 18: Overheard

AN: Sorry guys i cba so all their matches will be in Paris.

As the sun began to set over the Paris skyline, illuminating the hotel's lobby with a warm glow, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement and anticipation. The USA Women's National Team had just arrived at their new home for the Olympic Games, and the palpable energy in the air was hard to ignore. Team France occupied the lobby, their laughter and chatter mixing with the low hum of conversation among the Americans.

Wearing the signature Team USA gear—blue tracksuit bottoms paired with a crisp red hoodie—I walked into the lobby with my players by my side. My heart raced slightly as I scanned the room, and then I locked eyes with Sakina. She stood across the lobby, flanked by her teammates Katoto and Diani. The thrill of seeing them again was bittersweet; we were friends, but I was the coach, and I needed to stay focused.

"Hey! There she is!" Diani called out, her eyes lighting up.

As I approached, the trio exchanged quick, excited glances. I couldn't help but smile, recalling the countless memories we had shared. "What's up, ladies?" I said, bumping fists with Katoto and Diani before turning to Sakina.

"Good to see you," I said, extending my arms for a quick side hug. Her warmth felt comforting, but I couldn't linger. The brief connection reminded me of the boundaries I had to maintain.

"Good luck out there," she replied, her voice laced with sincerity. I could see a hint of disappointment in her eyes, but I quickly dismissed it; I had a team to focus on.

Behind me, I could feel the subtle smirks and glances from the group—Sophia, Trinity, Girma, Jaedyn, and Swanson. They exchanged knowing looks that made me roll my eyes. It was an unwritten rule that players would speculate about coaches' personal lives, and I had no intention of giving them any more fodder.

"Alright, ladies, let's settle in," I said, redirecting their attention. "You all know your room partners. Unpack and make yourselves comfortable. We have a lot of work to do."

After giving them their room assignments, we dispersed to our respective rooms. I quickly unpacked, setting out my gear and personal items in a way that felt both functional and familiar. I felt the slight buzz of my phone vibrate on the desk. It was a text from Sakina, and the message filled the screen: Are you okay? You seemed distant.

I hesitated before tapping the screen, opting instead to leave the message unopened. I needed to focus on the task at hand.

In Trinity's room, the five teammates gathered in a circle, buzzing with excitement and nerves. The conversation flowed easily as they sat on the beds and on the floor, discussing everything from their training regimen to their hopes for the tournament.

"Did you see the way she hugged Sakina? I thought they were about to exchange numbers!" Jaedyn teased, her eyes dancing with mischief.

"I know, right?" Trinity added, smirking. "But you could tell she was holding back. She's definitely trying to play it cool."

Sophia leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "But can you blame her? Sakina's gorgeous. And did you see the way she looked at her? It's like there's something there."

"I don't know, guys," Girma chimed in, glancing at the wall as if she could sense my presence. "The coach seems super focused. I bet she's just trying to keep it professional."

"Or maybe she's just afraid of what people will say," Swanson mused, rolling her eyes. "I mean, can you imagine the headlines if they did end up together? 'Conflict of Interest: USA Coach Romances French Player'—that would be a mess!"

Trinity laughed, nudging Jaedyn. "But what if they are more than just friends? That would make for some drama during the Olympics."

Little did they know that I was just on the other side of the wall, ear pressed against it, trying to catch snippets of their conversation while pretending to be immersed in my thoughts. I couldn't help but smile to myself, appreciating their innocence. They were speculating and theorizing, completely unaware that I could hear every word.

As their chatter continued, I couldn't help but reflect on my own conflicted feelings. I had a job to do, a team to lead, but the connection with Sakina was something I couldn't entirely shake off.

The sound of their laughter faded as they settled back into lighter topics, and I stepped away from the wall, taking a deep breath. The Olympics were right around the corner, and my focus had to be razor-sharp. I glanced at my phone again—still unopened messages from Sakina. I knew I'd have to address it soon. For now, I chose to prioritise my team and prepare them for the challenges ahead.

----

The conference room was buzzing with energy as the team settled in for our first official meeting of the Olympics. Sunlight streamed through the large windows, casting a warm glow over the players as they took their seats. I stood at the front, leaning against the table, my mind racing with thoughts of our upcoming games in Group B against Germany, Zambia, and Australia.

"Alright, ladies, let's get down to business," I began, commanding their attention. "We're in a tough group. Here's what we know: Germany and Australia are formidable opponents, and Zambia is likely not going to progress. We need to keep our eyes on Germany and Australia, as they can both pose serious threats."

As I spoke, I could see a mixture of confidence and determination on the players' faces. "Germany has a strong history in the tournament, and Australia has shown they can be dangerous, especially if they get a lead. However, I have a feeling they might not progress this time around, especially without Sam Kerr on the pitch. We all know how they tend to fumble the bag when it counts."

A few players nodded, murmuring their agreement. Trinity leaned forward, ready to contribute. "So, what are we looking for when we face them?"

"Good question," I replied. "I want you to keep an eye on their defensive lapses, especially against fast breaks. And remember, we need to be relentless in our attacks. If we can exploit their weaknesses, we'll have a good chance at success."

After going over our game plan in detail, I felt the energy in the room shift slightly. I could see players exchanging glances, already strategising how they would approach each match. It was inspiring to witness their commitment.

"Now, I'd like to keep you all back for a moment," I said. A few players raised their eyebrows, curious about what I had to say.

As the others filed out of the conference room, I leaned in a little closer. "Listen up," I said with a grin. "I've heard some interesting chatter coming from Trinity's room. We need to keep it down, especially when you're plotting your next move against our opponents."

The players chuckled, and I could see some sheepish expressions from ad hoc leader Sophia as they exchanged glances. "I don't want to overhear any game strategies or personal conversations. We need to keep our focus sharp. Understood?"

"Absolutely!" Jaedyn replied, a playful glint in her eye.

"Good. Now, let's make sure we're all on the same page. We have a lot of work ahead of us, and every little detail counts."

With a final nod of encouragement, I let the remaining players return to their rooms. As I stood alone in the conference room, I couldn't shake the sense of excitement that lingered in the air. The stage was set, and we were ready to prove ourselves on the world's biggest platform.