CHANGE- uswnt

mess

Maddy's POV

The next morning, the suns rises over San Diego and the air feels different today. It's heavier, somehow. As if it knows the training session ahead will push us to our limit. Mal and I share a quick look as we grab our bags and head toward the bus.

"Ready for round two, rookie." She teases, bag over her shoulder.

I force a smile and it seems more like a grimace. "Ready as I'll ever be."

We get in the bus and the atmosphere is obviously heavier. There's an intensity in the air as we board the bus. The other players seem more focused, their conversations quieter, more subdued. I catch Mal's eye across the bus, and she offers a reassuring wink, but even she seems quieter than usual. I guess everyone feels the same way. There's no room for errors today.

When we arrive at the field, the sight of the stadium, so imposing and vast, seems to pull the nervous energy from my body. Coaches are already talking in huddles, and the rest of the players begin to stretch, lacing up their cleats and tying their hair back. I join the group, stretching my legs and trying to get in the zone. The atmosphere is thick with focus. The chatter from yesterday is gone, replaced with an almost suffocating silence.

We start the warm-ups, and I fall into the rhythm of it all. My legs feel heavy as I stretch, but I know that's just the buildup. I remind myself to focus on my breathing, to steady my nerves. I take a deep breath, remembering that I made it here because I belong here.

As the practice begins, it's clear that today is a step up. The drills are faster, the movements sharper. Every pass has to be on point. There's no room for sloppiness. I can hear the sound of the ball being kicked and the sharp whistle of the coaches cutting through the air, commanding attention. It feels like everyone is watching my every move, but it's not just the coaches. The other players are watching, too. I know it.

We break into small groups for drills, and I find myself paired with Rose and Lindsey, both of whom seem to have a natural rhythm with each other. They move fluidly, almost effortlessly, their communication nonverbal—quick glances, small gestures. It's the kind of connection I aspire to have on the field. I try to match their pace, but it's not easy. My legs feel like they're made of lead, and every pass feels like it's just a fraction off.

But I refuse to let it get to me. I focus on the small things—my foot positioning, my timing, the weight of my passes. Slowly, I start to feel like I'm finding my flow, and I stop thinking so much about what everyone else is doing. It's just me and the ball. It's my own rhythm.

The coaches notice, too. As the session continues, I start to hear their praises, subtle but enough to keep me going. "Nice touch, Maddy," one coach calls out as I thread a perfect pass through a defender. I feel the tiniest swell of pride, but I can't let myself linger on it. There's no time for self-congratulations. The pace doesn't let up. The intensity of the session continues, but I hold my own.

By the end of practice, my muscles are screaming, my body aching in places I didn't know I had muscles. Sweat drips down my face, and I'm pretty sure my legs might give out if I take another step. But as I catch sight of Mal, who's leaning against the fence, I can see that same quiet approval in her eyes. We made it.

We pile back onto the bus, the exhaustion settling into every bone, but there's a quiet sense of accomplishment. I'm exhausted, but there's a satisfaction in knowing I pushed myself, that I showed up and gave everything I had. When we get back to the hotel, the tension in the air lifts a little. We've survived the day. But now, the real bonding begins.

Team bonding is always supposed to be a break, a way to unwind after the pressure of training, but there's something about it that feels just as intense. The moment we walk into the designated meeting space at the hotel, the energy shifts. Instead of the usual quiet, everyone is laughing, chatting, and it's like the pressure of the day just melts away. Snacks are spread across the table, music is playing in the background, and everyone's in a more relaxed state.

Mal finds me almost immediately, pulling me into the group. The energy is different—lighter, freer. Sonnet is in the middle of some ridiculous TikTok dance move, her arms flailing around with no rhythm, but the way she's laughing makes it impossible not to smile. Rose and Lindsey are sitting on the couches, sipping on water and chatting casually about their day, while Crystal and Naomi are trying to teach Sonnet how to do the dance, all of them laughing as they fail miserably. I feel like I'm watching some weird version of a reality show, only this time, it's real.

"So, how do you feel after surviving your first real practice?" Mal asks, throwing an arm over my shoulder.

"Survived is an understatement," I reply, collapsing onto the nearest couch and grabbing a granola bar from the snack table. "But I made it through. I think I did okay."

"You did more than okay," Mal says with a grin. "You looked solid out there. You're holding your own, Maddy."

As the group continues to move from one topic to the next, I feel the tension from earlier start to dissolve. This isn't just a team I'm joining; it's a family, and there's something about it that feels comforting. Even though we've only just started, there's an easy camaraderie among us. Everyone's teasing each other, throwing playful jabs, and sharing inside jokes. It's chaotic, loud, and fun. And I wouldn't trade it for anything.

After a while, the coaches remind us that it's time to get some rest for the next day, but no one's ready to call it quits yet. The conversations slow down, but the group's energy doesn't completely fade. Mal and I head back to our room, and even as I settle into bed, the sense of belonging lingers.

Tomorrow will come with new challenges, but right now, I know one thing for sure: this is where I'm meant to be. I'm part of something bigger than just a team—I'm part of a family that will push me, challenge me, and support me every step of the way. And I can't wait for the next day to begin.