My future was taken from me 7 years ago.
Now that I've got my life back it's gonna take a village to help me rebuild my life.
Come follow my journey as I'm reborn.
After I look at the line-up I pass it behind me then I continue crocheting.
Once at Red Bull Arena, the bus parks then everyone gets off and heads to the locker room.
When we get to the locker room, everyone puts their stuff down in their respective lockers.
Once my stuff is in my locker, my teammates and I head outside for the pitch inspection.
When we get out on the pitch, I throw Taco's ball around the field for him to fetch.
After I've played with my doggy for a few minutes I head back to the locker room.
When I get to my locker I take my AirPods out, I take out my nose ring, I take off my necklaces, earrings, bracelet, watch, and my rings, put my jewelry in it's safe then I put my jewelry safe and AirPods in my bag.
Once I'm jewelry free I take off my tracksuit and put my long, curly, dark brown hair up in a ponytail then I put on my short sleeve red undershirt, my warm up top, and I put on my game shorts.
I then sit down in my locker and put on my socks, my shin pads and my red boots.
After my boots are on I tape my wrists, hands, and fingers then I put on my red keeper gloves before I head onto the field with the other keepers.
When I get on the pitch I run through my warm ups with the keepers for a while then head back to the locker room.
Once in the locker room I change out of the training top and change into my red keeper jersey while Amy does her last minute talks.
When the last minute talks end, we are told to head to the tunnel so I grab my towel and water bottle then Taco and I do as told.
Once in the tunnel, I line-up right behind Talia then I wait for us to be called out.
Minutes later we are told to head out onto the field for the prematch stuff so I follow Talia out onto the field.
Once on the field we stand in line for a few seconds then we shake hands with the Gotham players.
After we shake hands, we take a starting XI picture, Talia does the coin toss, we do our team huddle, then I lead Taco to the bench.
"Stay here Taco." I say
Taco yips and smiles at me so I scratch his head then I jog to my position on the field.
Once I'm at my goal, I hang my towel up on the net, put my water bottle in the net then Sarah and Willow come over and fist bump me before they head to their spots.
"Hey is this a rivalry game?" I question.
"They've never beat us." Sarah says with a smirk. "So not really."
- - - - -
Leah's POV
"There we go bubba." I say as I help Zaire sit in his seat here in our box at Red Bull Arena."
"Tank you." Zaire says as I sit down.
"You're welcome bubs." I say then we're joined by the Oñate family.
"Ooh that traffic was terrible." Avalon's Mom says.
"Yeah I don't know what was up with people today." Avalon's Dad says as he and his wife sit next to Axel.
"There's my fourth favorite Oñate." I say as I look at Avalon's younger sister.
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"Wait why am I the fourth favorite?" Athena Oñate asks.
"Because you caused me to lose in a World Cup Final." I say. "Meanie."
"Oops." Athena says with Zero remorse.
Athena is a striker for the Spanish national team and Real Miami.
"Mhmm." I say then I look at my oldest daughter. "Lanie get her."
"Rawr." Lanie says then she hugs Athena's legs.
"That's my girl." I say as the match kicks off.
"So scary." Athena says as she picks Lanie up and sits her on her lap then the younger Oñate looks at the field. "And let's be honest if the old USA coach had any sense with his team selection then we probably wouldn't have been champions."
In the 2023 World Cup, the USA's old coach Vlatko Andonovski didn't play Emma Harris, Jucinara Press, Azura Nwigwe, or my wife Talia in any game for some fucking reason.
We all know what happened with the US in the 2023 World Cup and after the tournament Vlatko was rightfully fired and Astrid Heath was hired.
Almost a year later the US won gold at the 2024 Olympics and Emma, Jucinara, Azura, and Talia were integral parts of that win along with Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman, and Naomi Girma.
From the outside looking in, and a little bit of insider knowledge, Astrid has brought the fun back into the team and has been selecting players who actually deserve to be on the team based on their club team performances.
"So true." I say.
"Do you think Avalon will get picked for the US?" Avalon's Mom asks.
"I do." I say.
"Spain'll have her if the US doesn't want her." Athena says.
"You don't need anymore help." I say.
"Oh we could always use help." Athena says. "Especially from my sissy."
"Don't make me get Kaia to tickle you." I say.
"Kaia would never hurt me like that." Athena says.
"Mhmm." I say then I watch Avalon make a very athletic save. "Wow."
"I think anybody could use a keeper like that." Avalon's Dad says.
"Yes they could Dad." Athena says. "Yes they could."
