The Wait Is Over

Who Do You Love?

Julie Johnston Ertz and Carli Lloyd have come to New Jersey to cheer on their girlfriends this afternoon, with the Atlanta Storm facing Sky Blue FC. Today's match is Morgan Brian's first game since the attack in Birmingham two months ago and she is slotted in the starting lineup partnering Sarah Troccoli in central midfield. Rebecca Nolin is giving Lydia Williams the day off, choosing to go with EJ Proctor in goal for the first time since Williams' arrival in Atlanta on April 4th. Sky Blue has yet to win this season, but picked up its first point last week in a 1-1 draw with Washington.

Julie: Ever think about leaving Philly?

Carli: When don't I think about it! THIS is home. It's where I grew up, where I played my college soccer, where I finally found my ability to play this game at the professional level, and where my heart resides. If there ever is a chance to come back here in a coaching capacity, I'm going to seriously consider it.

Julie: I still don't know what I'm doing about Zach. When I'm with Christen, I feel like life can't get any better. Back home, Zach and I just aren't able to see eye-to-eye. The fight we had after I got back from the Orlando game was terrible. He denied that anything happened after what I saw in the video, but he also said he didn't remember much from that night because my teammates got him so loaded. He also told me that he learned from someone in Orlando that I should be able to control how I act around Chrissy, even if I can't control how I feel about her.

Carli: Like you can't stop loving her, but you CAN stop choosing to sleep with her?

Julie: I believe so. He's right, more or less. I AM making the decision to carry on romantic and/or sexual relationships with both of them, which is in effect cheating on each of them with the other.

Carli: What Jill and I have done so far hasn't crossed the physical line, but I AM emotionally cheating on Brian. Moreover, Madden is now part of the equation for me, and I'm not yet sure if I want to jump headfirst into being a stepmom.

The Storm were in control from the opening whistle, scoring in the 8th, 26th, and 43rd minutes to stake themselves to a 3-0 lead at halftime. A conservative approach and defensive substitutions in the second half kept the score at 3-0 until the last minute of stoppage time, when Proctor was unable to fully deflect away a Sam Kerr header, giving the Aussie her second goal in two games. Brian picked up a goal and an assist before being replaced in the 70th minute.

Sky Blue 1 Atlanta 3 (Kerr/Killion; Press/Brian, Brian/Troccoli, Sonnett/O'Sullivan)  

***

Tori and Kelsey have come over to Kassey's apartment for the afternoon. The three of them, close friends since college, feel slightly emboldened by the team's new management to begin hanging out more together without fear of reprisal or rumors being spread.

Tori: Becky and Lori seem to be taking our complaints seriously. I heard they met with Steph and Abby yesterday before our game and that they're going to be talking to DiDi, Cali, and Caprice when we're in Philly next weekend.

Kelsey: Thank God! The sooner Jim gets removed and we get a more pro-player coach in here, the better.

Kassey: What do you two think of Sarah?

Kelsey: I like her, but I know that she's got bigger fish to fry in the organization as she's also on the DelMarVa board and it'd be a bit of a conflict of interest for her to be our coach and part of the ownership group.

Tori: I think she's a change of pace from Jim. You know she was married to Abby Wambach for a time, right?

Kassey: I THINK I knew that, but must have forgotten.