The Wait Is Over

Dousing The Flames

A gorgeous evening in Portland was the backdrop for the US Women's National Team's match against Belgium. The seven preceptors and six alumnae helping out in camp this week were in a suite at Providence Park to take in the game and also observe their charges' performance.

US First XI: Campbell; Smith-Roccaro(c)-Short-Gibbons; Killion-Andrews-K. Mewis; Groom-Williams-Jordan.

Subs: Rowland, Franch; Hinkle, Oyster; Sullivan, Sanchez, Colaprico, Corboz, Dougherty Howard; McCaffrey, Huerta, Pugh.

Cari Roccaro led the team out of the tunnel to the center of the pitch, with Jane Campbell behind her and the rest of the first XI following in positional order. After the national anthems and handshakes, the US spread out into its standard 4-3-3 formation, with Morgan Andrews playing the deep-lying position in midfield and Lynn Williams leading the line up front.

From the opening whistle, the US was the aggressor, racking up shots on goal in the 2nd, 5th, 7th, 12th, and 13th minutes. The dam didn't break, however, and the US was forced to find another way to penetrate the Belgian net. A Savannah Jordan shot was parried out by the Belgian goalkeeper, resulting in a corner kick. Andrews, who has become a bit of a corner specialist this season in Boston, took the kick and the in-swinger caromed to Shea Groom on the near post, who poked home the ball to open the scoring for the Americans. A turnover in the US' defensive third by Belgium led to a counterattack led by Christina Gibbons, whose pass to Andrews was quickly shuffled onto Sarah Killion and then distributed wide to Kristie Mewis. The Red Stars' midfielder wrapped her cultured left foot around a cross that was knocked down by the arm of the Belgian right back, giving the US a penalty kick. Tonight's start gave Killion a chance to show her prowess from the spot, and she left nothing to chance by burying her shot in the left corner of the net. With stoppage time nearing completion, a final foray by the US gave them a 3-0 as Lynn Williams ran a dummy that drew both center backs toward her, leaving Jordan open on the left side of the penalty area to turn home a Taylor Smith cross.

The second half began with the same first XI as the start of the game. Laura Harvey began utilizing her substitutions in the 58th minute, bringing on Andi Sullivan for Taylor Smith, Sofia Huerta for Shea Groom, and Meggie Dougherty Howard for Christina Gibbons, moving Mewis to left back and Killion to the left side of the midfield triangle. The three insertions teamed up to add to the US' advantage, as Campbell's roll-out to Sullivan was taken up the line, then passed onto Dougherty Howard, who saw Huerta cut inside and threaded a beautiful ball between the center and left backs from Belgium, finding her in front of an onrushing goalkeeper. Not deterred, she rounded her and placed the ball effortlessly into the net. Harvey returned to the bench and sent on AD Franch for Campbell, Steph McCaffrey for Williams, and Daphne Corboz for Andrews, with Killion dropping back in front of the center backs. The scramble of new faces on the left side for the US caused a couple of missteps and Belgium was able to pick up a goal nine minutes from time through the efforts of Tessa Wullaert and Davina Philtjens. The fourth official raised her board to indicate 4 minutes of added time, which sparked McCaffrey to try and get another goal. A well-weighted pass to the Red Stars' forward from Killion at the top of the D was initially turned on by her, but, thinking better of it, she pushed it back and out to Dougherty Howard. In the blink of an eye, she found an opening and a streaking Jordan on her way to it, then placed the ball perfectly into that spot, giving her Florida teammate an easy tap-in for her second goal of the night and a second assist for the Spirit midfielder.

Following the match, the Portlanders and their friends went to Daphne, Becca, and Savannah's place for some post-game imbibing. Lindsey and Emily were being good role models by staying away from the hooch and watching out for the rest of the women. Christina and Becca sat together on one couch, with Becca's head on Christina's shoulder. Daphne threw ice cubes at the pair as she wondered how she would deal living with these two for the rest of the season. Savannah asked Meggie out onto the balcony and the two sat down on the edge, their feet dangling off it.

Savannah: Do you like me?

Meggie: I've known you now close to 10 years. Of course I like you!

Savannah: I mean like me like me, like as something more than friends.

Meggie thought this discussion would come after they got to DC, but apparently she triggered something in Savannah this week.

Meggie: I was hoping to have this conversation after camp while we were returning to DC, but since you've brought it up, yes.

Savannah spent a minute or so just thinking quietly. When Meggie scooted closer to her, she froze a little.

Meggie: Let me guess. You don't feel the same way.

Savannah: I hadn't thought about it, to be honest. After breaking up with Lauren, I was just done with relationships. I'm not sure if I'm ready to say yes to you about us getting closer, or if I need to get to Washington and around Christen and Havana as well as you to make me more confident about getting back into the game.

Meggie: I see. So you need to see what else is out there before you can decide if you'd want to be with me?

Meggie got up and walked to the end of the balcony, looking out over the Portland skyline while tears fell down her face. Savannah followed her and wrapped her arms around her waist from behind.

Savannah: That's not it at all, Meggie. Part of the reason why I broke up with Lauren was because I was developing an unhealthy obsession with you. I knew if you and I would ever be alone, that I probably wouldn't be able to control myself and would end up cheating on her. I've been lusting after you since the start of preseason. I want you, Megan. My heart right now isn't ready to let you in, not just yet. My body, however, aches for your touch, for your eyes on me and mine on you.

Meggie is taken a little aback by Savannah's honesty and directness. "What did I do to cause you to develop this kind of a crush on me?"

Savannah: You grew up, I guess. When we were at Florida together, you hadn't yet developed into the beautiful creature I see before me now. If you'll let me, I'll show you how I feel when we get back to Washington, since I doubt we'll be rooming together in Denver as we're not a couple and I'm sure the assignments were made before the trade.

Meggie: Promise me you'll take it slow with me. I probably don't have your experience level when it comes to that area.

Savannah: If you promise to be gentle with me as I come around to being a person capable of loving you with my heart and mind as well as my body.

Meggie finally turned around and looked deep into Savannah's eyes. "I promise."

Savannah: I never properly thanked you for the assist on my second goal. I was going to hug you on the field afterwards, but I was swarmed by Daphne and McCaffrey.

Meggie kept eye contact with Savannah and moved a little closer to her, opening her arms for Savannah to embrace her. Savannah closed the distance and placed a little kiss on Meggie's lips. "Thank you."

Meggie: I think I should reward you for the two goals tonight.

Meggie took the initiative and pressed her lips to Savannah's. "That's for the first one. And this..."

Meggie pressed harder and suckled on Savannah's upper lip. "...is for the second."

Savannah: And if I had gotten a hat trick?

Meggie: I think a French kiss would have been in order, sweetheart.

Savannah smiled at Meggie and they held one another on the balcony for a while, not sure of where this would be going but happy to be charting that course together.

***

USA 5 Belgium 1 (Groom/Andrews, Killion pk, Jordan/Smith, Huerta/Dougherty Howard, Jordan/Dougherty Howard; Wullaert/Philtjens)