The Wait Is Over

NWSL Final Media Day

The Chicago Red Stars were the first to undergo Media Day at the NWSL Championship, with the Boston Breakers doing their final walk-through on the Toyota Park field. Remembering how Kristie and Steph pulled the media gag on them a few years ago at Media Day, Lindsey and Emily decided to flip the tables on them as well as Sam and Abby.

When the pair showed up, they ran into Cari Roccaro, one of Lindsey's besties and the "Frack" to her "Frick". After some hugs and general joking, she told Cari about wanting to pull something on the two couples. Cari said that it might be better to use Alyssa for that purpose since she would be up there with the two of them and Lisa. After a one-on-one with her old friend from Boston, Steph Yang, Kristie saw Emily and came sprinting over to her and Lindsey.

Lindsey: I take it you guys have yet to take the podium?

Kristie: Not yet. Should be in about ten minutes. How did you guys get in?

Lindsey: A little bit of this, a little bit of that, an embarrassing video you and Steph took of the two of us a few years ago at Media Day.

Emily: Didn't think we'd let a chance to get you back go to waste, right? Your media people are so hyped to see the two of you sweat and sweat good. You know we're going to let Hoodrat have it. You might get off the hook a bit.

Kristie: Don't ask us about the wedding. Steph has a surprise coming up for Sunday morning. We still have to clear it with the new officiant, but from what I hear he's a bit of a cut-up. Also, nothing about us already being married. The two of us have something in store post-game tomorrow to clear the air on that.

Lindsey: Gotcha, Kratch. We're also going to get the lovely brides when they are in here later and crank up something for the world to know.

Kristie: Like whether they're pregnant or not?

Lindsey: Pregnant?!?! Hmmm...Abby did sort of maybe not exactly say something last Friday when the four of us went out.

Kristie: Sam said that the doctor wanted to wait until after the season to officially confirm it, but I'd think they'd know something by now.

Emily: We better get our seats and let you get up to the podium with your teammates.

Kristie hugged the two of them before heading off to join her teammates before their presser with the gathered media.

***

Seated right to left (as viewed from the floor) on the rostrum for the Chicago Red Stars were forward Steph McCaffrey, midfielder Kristie Mewis, head coach Lisa Cole, captain Alyssa Naeher, and forward Sofia Huerta. Emily recorded the presser on her phone to compile quotes for her and Lindsey's podcast.

Stephanie Yang, 2 Drunk Fans: Lisa, to what do you attribute your team's rally following the July international break to chase down LA temporarily and lock up a playoff spot before the final regular season game?

Lisa Cole: The players we acquired in the off-season finally gelled with our veterans, not to mention having a large number of Red Stars in the June and July National Team camps.

Jeff Kassouf, Equalizer Soccer: Alyssa, after 13 years as a pro, this is your first league final. Describe your feelings about finally getting to this point after all the heartbreaks of past seasons here in Chicago.

Alyssa Naeher: Well, Jeff, thanks for making me feel old. Seriously, tomorrow will be a day I will remember for a long time, just as I remember the 2020 Olympic final in Tokyo. Playing against my former club, one of my closest goalkeeper friends, and my new partner, I can't put into words what playing tomorrow will feel like. By the way, you might want to keep your eyes peeled during pregame, because you might see something you're not expecting.