The Wait Is Over

Harvey's Laboratory

The US Women's National Team had an early wake-up call this morning as they were to fly to Denver for the second part of camp and their second match with Belgium. Ashlyn and Alex got to the airport for their flight back to Orlando a bit groggy from a night devoid of sleep as it was their last one together until returning to their regular lives with the Pride. Ashlyn gave Yael a call while waiting for their flight to board, looking to make plans for dinner with her for Friday night ahead of their match with the Breakers on Saturday. She needed some perspective on the situation she is now in with Alex, and her college housemate and friend seemed the right person to discuss this problem with. Yael asked Ashlyn if she could invite Steph and Whitney to join them, which she thought would be a good idea.

Before boarding the plane to Denver, Joy announced the new roommate assignments, the first test of letting couples room together in camp.

Steph McCaffrey/Kristie Mewis; Julie Johnston Ertz/Christen Press; Jane Campbell/Andi Sullivan; Lindsey Horan/Emily Sonnett; Taylor Smith/Jaelene Hinkle; Ashley Sanchez/Mallory Pugh; Katelyn Rowland/Sam Mewis; Savannah Jordan/Meggie Dougherty Howard; Megan Oyster/Sarah Killion; Cari Roccaro/Morgan Andrews; AD Franch/Lynn Williams; Casey Short/Danielle Colaprico; Alyssa Naeher/Rose Lavelle; Sofia Huerta/Shea Groom; Christina Gibbons/Daphne Corboz.

Some of the new roommate pairings chose to sit with one another on the plane.

Rose: You're a goalkeeper, so you would probably be able to answer this question. Are you guys from another planet?

Alyssa: It seems like it, but no we're not. I take it you're having trouble with your goalie crush in Boston?

Rose: Yes. She seems interested, but when I try to approach her about spending time together, she finds a way to fend me off.

Alyssa: You know about her anxiety problem, right?

Rose: No.

Alyssa: Steph has been open with the public and her fans about her battles with depression and anxiety. If you think goalies in general are from outer space, try being friends with or dating one who is worried you don't really like them or doesn't have the confidence to open up to you. I wish you had brought this up while we were in Portland. I would have suggested you talk to Ashlyn since she's dealt with these issues herself.

Rose: You seem sort of normal for a goalkeeper, but you're also really introverted when we're together in camp, like being around people makes your skin crawl.

Alyssa: I guess I've never really been one who reaches out to others. I like my own company most of the time and can be pretty nerdy/geeky. That's why you would see Becky and I hang out a lot in camp, because we both had that kind of personality and were good for one another.

Rose: Anything ever come of the two of you?

Alyssa: No. She retired, then moved onto chasing her dream of owning an NWSL team. We have always been better as friends than we could have been as partners. Why the personal questions?

Rose: I don't know. We know each other some, but not that deeply. I have the reputation of being a party girl who can't be serious and it bugs me a bit. As I start to become a more integral part of the National Team and am looked upon to exhibit leadership at the club level, having a friend with that dimension I think would be a positive for me. Besides, you're so teddy bear cute it's not funny.

Alyssa blushed. "Is that every girl's go-to pickup line for me? When Jen Hoy approached me in Orlando about getting together, she used that teddy bear reference to explain how she came to be interested. Now you're using it."