Breakfast In Bed

A New Face with FCKC

"Who do you think he is bringing in?" Cat asked, absently playing with her necklace.

"I'm not sure. There are several quality keepers in the NWSL. The questions are who was available to him and what was their cost." Becky tilted her head as she thought, the preliminary list forming in her mind.

The two women were sitting inside Vlatko's office on the grounds of the Swope Soccer Complex. He had asked to meet with them after practice, privately. Becky had made sure to inform Alyssa of the meeting and promised to call her when it was over. The blonde woman had tried to relax in the chair, but the reality of the situation still made her uncomfortable. Nicole was done for the season and Vlatko didn't trust Cat to handle the full season by herself. Whoever they brought in would hopefully mesh with the team and the backline fast, or it would spell only trouble. And in the NWSL, trouble at the beginning of the season could leave a team on the outside of the playoffs come October.

"Hello Cat, Becky." Vlatko spoke when he opened the door. Their coach smiled at them as he crossed the room and sat behind his desk. "I apologize for the delay, I had to relay final instructions to Becca." Both women nodded in understanding.

"So...I take it you found someone?" Cat was surprisingly blunt.

"I have. Unfortunately, we had to move a high draft pick next season as well as Alex." He held up a hand to stop Becky from speaking. "I have already talked to her. She is speaking to the team right now and I am sure she is waiting for you both. I told her I wanted to speak with you both before the news is leaked."

"Did we trade with Houston or North Carolina?" The list had narrowed quickly in her mind once Vlatko had told them the cost of the trade. With Nicole only out for the year, he wouldn't trade for an older keeper right away until he knew if she would want to return or not. That meant Chicago, Washington, and Orlando were all out. Their starting keepers were all current NT players and they would need their young backups to step in when they were out for international duty. Seattle wouldn't trade Kop without a solid backup, and Angerer wasn't going to let Portland trade Franch. Boston and Sky Blue were too high on getting a young talent in goal to part with Smith or Sheridan without significant return. Only two teams had significant keeper depth in the league currently. Either Jane or Katelyn would be a good pick up for FCKC.

"Houston. Carolina had too much depth and U.S. Soccer helped us out as they want Jane to get games." He told them both. "That doesn't mean that Jane will play every game. She will need time to mesh with the team and to train with our defense." He looks at Cat. "We will be depending on you, especially now at the start of the season."

"I won't let you down." Cat nodded firmly as her shoulders relaxed a little.

"I know you won't." Vlatko gave a small smile. "Now. Becky, as captain, I expect you to help Jane mesh with the team as soon as possible. Moving from Houston to here I am sure will be some sort of shock, but the quicker we can get her acclimated, the better we will be."

"Of course. Do we know where she is staying yet?"

"Not yet." Vlatko shook his head. "We are working out a temporary place until she has time to search for an apartment. There are several hotels that are close by, but her personal transportation then becomes an issue."

"Why doesn't she stay with me and Nicole? We have the space and having Cat over to watch film would give Nicole something to do besides prehab. It will be good for all 3 of them." Becky proposed, glancing at Cat. The woman gave her a nod, seeing the logic and benefits behind it.

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure." Becky nodded. "Besides, it is only temporary. I am sure we can all help her find a place if she doesn't want to take Alex's spot with her host family."