Katie McCabe has always been one for intensity. It’s what drives her, what makes her unstoppable on the field. Her fire is what led her to Manu Zinsberger, a force to be reckoned with in goal and one of the most solid presences in her life.
Katie sits at her locker, fingers idly playing with a band of athletic tape, her mind drifting between the usual pre-match nerves and the thrill of tonight’s game. Across the locker room, Manu is going through her own routine, putting on her gloves and mumbling under her breath in German, seemingly psyching herself up.
“Oi, you two done with the mushy staring yet?” Caitlin Foord grins as she pokes her head between them, her arm casually slung around Steph Catley’s shoulders. Her Aussie accent is thick, playfully mocking as always.
Katie chuckles, rolling her eyes as she nudges Caitlin. “Just because you’re not playing tonight doesn’t mean you get to heckle the rest of us.”
Caitlin laughs, giving Steph a playful nudge. “Guess I’ll have to save it for Kyra,” she says with a grin. Steph, leaning into her side, laughs and gives Caitlin a soft elbow.
“Don’t drag me into this. I’m Switzerland,” Steph says with a laugh, but the look in her eyes says she’s already plotting the next round of good-natured banter.
Just then, Kyra Cooney-Cross ambles over, holding a ball under one arm and chewing on her lip. “I’m Switzerland too,” she adds, giving them all an innocent look. “Or more like Australia. Neutral territory for all involved.”
Katie snorts, and Manu finally breaks her concentration, looking up with an amused smile. “How come Switzerland’s always neutral? That’s hardly sporting.” She wiggles her gloved fingers playfully. “They’d have a pretty rubbish national team with that attitude.”
Katie laughs, shaking her head at Manu, but there’s warmth in her gaze. Manu’s light-heartedness has a calming effect, and the playful exchange melts away some of her nerves.
“Alright, let’s focus, yeah?” Katie says, rolling her shoulders back and stretching her legs. “Big game tonight. No messing about.”
The team disperses, each player going about their routine, but Manu stays close to Katie, her presence grounding Katie as always. Caitlin leans over to Kyra and whispers, “Think we should give them a little space before they melt the room?”
Kyra chuckles and nods, waving to Caitlin as they move toward their seats on the bench. Meanwhile, Steph turns to Caitlin with a smirk, “Bet you five bucks Katie’s already told Manu she’ll ‘flatten anyone who comes near her goal’.”
“Ten bucks says Manu told her not to worry, she’ll just kick ‘em herself.” Caitlin winks as she plops down, stretching her legs out and watching the field as Katie and Manu head out to join the rest of the team in warm-ups.
The game is tough, physical, and intensely competitive, but Katie feels the familiar comfort of knowing Manu’s behind her, ready to defend the goal with everything she’s got. And it’s that same feeling that pulls her through when she’s exhausted and the opposition’s putting on the pressure.
As the final whistle blows and they walk off the field victorious, Katie spots Caitlin and the others waiting by the tunnel, all grinning and clapping as they walk by.
“You were brilliant out there,” Caitlin says, throwing an arm around Katie.
Katie grins, her cheeks flushed. “Couldn’t have done it without my goalie keeping me in check,” she teases, glancing over at Manu.
Manu raises an eyebrow, still looking slightly flushed herself. “If anything, I was watching you to keep my head in the game.”
Caitlin rolls her eyes dramatically, but there’s an affectionate smile on her face as she nudges Katie toward Manu. “Oh, go on, I’ll give you two a moment. I’ll even take Kyra for celebratory pizza if it helps.”
Steph crosses her arms with a mock look of jealousy. “And what about us?”
Katie gives them a quick smile. “All of us, yeah? We’ve earned it.”
As the team gathers in laughter, banter, and camaraderie, Katie feels a warmth that has nothing to do with the game.
YOU ARE READING
Arsenal Womens OneShots
FanfictionOne shots about my favourite team+some other people *Player Requests are welcome*
