"Listen up ladies!" Laura yells above the chatter in the locker room. It's game day and we're hosting WNYF. We're finally beginning to enjoy playing at the Starfire Stadium, now that we're not losing every game. "Here's the lineup for today!"
Once again, I'm riding the bench, and I'm beginning to think it has something to do with my decision to rep Canada, but another part of my brain tells me I'm being ridiculous.
"Logan, can I have a word?" Laura asks, voice stern and catching everyone's attention. I walk past my teammates and head for the door. I hear their confused mutters, wondering what this is all about, the same thoughts running through my head.
I enter Laura's office, and she gestures for me to take a seat. She seems to study me for a minute before she finally clears her throat.
"I know you've chosen Canada, and that John will be in the stands today to watch you, but I've been told that England has sent someone to watch you, too. You haven't officially teamed up with Canada yet, you should know there's still a chance for you to change your mind."
"Are you telling me not to pick Canada?" I ask, genuinely confused, but my tone comes off as harsh and accusatory.
"No, I'm not." She replies sternly and I break eye contact, feeling challenged and not wanting to piss off my coach. "I'm simply telling you what I know, and now you do too. You're free to go, Scott."
I mutter a pathetic 'okay, thanks' before I leave her office, running into Vicky on my way out and we walk to the locker room to finish getting ready for the game.
"What was all that shit about?" Vick asks as I take my usual place on the bench, between her and Emily, and I accept my half of the blanket I usually share with the Canadian.
"She was telling me about scouts that are here."
"What scouts? Are you leaving?" Emily asks, sounding concerned. "But...I need my bench buddy."
"Ouch, thanks Zurrer." Vicky mutters.
"No, I'm not leaving." I reassure my 'bench buddy'. "It's National team scouts that are here."
"From which Nations exactly?" Zurrer asks, raising her eyebrow and challenging me to lie.
"England and Canada." I grumble, knowing that after the game I'll be bombarded with questions over my allegiance.
The game doesn't get off to the best start for us as Abby scores on the 10 minute mark.
"Fucking Wambach." Betos grumbles.
"You said it, Michelle."
We focus back in on the game as the crowd starts to get hyped up. Pinoe carries the ball towards the opposition goalkeeper, looking for McDonald but she's heavily marked. We watch as Megan lays the ball off to Jess, who takes a touch to control the ball before sending it past the 'keeper.
"WOOO! THE WELSH DRAGON!" Vicki screams as myself and the rest of the girls on the bench jump around the sideline.
"What a strike, Fish!"
Not much happens for the first half, giving us a chance to warm up every now and then, shouting words of encouragement at the starting eleven. I also get the chance to have a preview of the questions to come at half time, or the end of the game. I'm sitting on the bench again, with my blanket buddy.
| Kelley |
"So you really don't know who she's representing?" Alex asks as we Skype. She's watching the Seattle game, too.
"I really don't, Baby Horse." I pause to laugh when she groans at her nickname. "I even phoned Jill, but she didn't say anything about it."
"What a shock."
"Yeah. Logan told me she wouldn't say anything."
"How are you and the rookie doing?" She asks, but her eyes are focused on the screen. When I glance at my own TV, it pans to Logan as she accepts part of a blanket from her teammate. She smiles as she inspects the blanket, emblazoned with the Seattle crest. "Kelley. You're smiling! You're so into her."
"I am. I can't even try to deny it." I shrug when I see Alex looking at her laptop. "There's something about her, and you know she's a good person when Hope likes her." I let Alex laugh, nodding along as she does. "Hope doesn't stand for annoying people."
Our conversation halts abruptly when Seattle make a break for it. They pass the ball flawlessly through their midfield before sending it to McDonald who holds up the play until Pinoe appears on the flank and receives the ball, running into the box and slotting the ball into the net.
"Woo! Pinoe!"
"USA, USA!" Alex chants while I look at her, raising a brow.
"This is Seattle, Alex."
"Shut up."
| Logan |
Half time.
We're winning.
2-1. 45 minutes left.
"Just tell me who you're thinking of playing for!" Zurrer begs as we pass the ball back and forth while Laura speaks with the starters in the locker room.
"Not until it's official." I pass the ball back to her, side stepping when Vicky joins in, giving her enough space.
"When will that be?" My old college captain asks, to which I shrug.
"I don't know yet, but I'll let you know. Promise." I chuckle but try and remain focused on passing the ball and not scanning the stadium to look for any scouts. My conversation with Laura replays in my mind and I find myself questioning my choice. Is Canada who I really want to rep or am I only questioning it because I'm nervous and I know that there's scouts here somewhere from England.
Either way it doesn't matter, not while I'm stuck on the bench.
"Come on, Scotty." Emily grabs my arm and drags me off the field as the starters return from the locker room. Finally zoning back in, I walk alongside my blanket buddy and return to the bench as the second half starts.
Our happiness at having the lead is quickly squashed when Abby scores - again.
"Fuck!" I yell simultaneously with Emily, before we look at each other and laugh.
Throughout the second half Laura makes some changes. Vick and Emily get on the field, leaving me with my blanket. It's not until the 65 minute mark when Laura tells me to warm up. I wave at fans who show me some love as I jog along the sidelines until Laura calls for me to come back and get ready to get out there.
On the 70th, I stand beside the official and wait to be sent on. I'm coming on for McDonald, and to say she looks unhappy is a huge understatement.
"Don't fuck it up, rookie." She grumbles, slapping my hands a little too hard as she sulks on her way to the bench.
"Let's go, Lo!" Pinoe claps as Keelin gives me a pat on the back as I make my way up top and play resumes.
We fight for possession, the ball mostly staying in midfield as neither team seems to hang onto it for very long. The game has become rough, tackles seemingly flying in at all angles, the referee letting most of them go until Zurrer gets wiped out, and Abby gets booked.
| Kelley |
"And that's a yellow for Wambach. She really can't complain, that was a harsh challenge to make. Very much a forward's kind of tackle."
"Absolutely, but now Seattle have the ball and New York should be worried. The Reign have recently brought on their wonderkid, Rookie Logan Scott. She's fast and skillful, stopping her from getting anywhere near the ball should be the main target for the New York defense."
I listen to the commentators idly talk as Seattle get ready to take the free kick. They're right about Logan, she's really fucking fast, but looking at the defense...well, they don't seem to be taking the threat of Lo very seriously.
The defender plays the simple pass to Winters, who then gives it to Pinoe. The opposing defender follows my National teammate along the sideline, waiting for the right moment to tackle her. Unfortunately she waits too long and Pinoe plays a through ball for Logan. I watch in awe as she seems to glide away from the last two defenders who were watching her mere seconds ago.
"Scott has the ball! She's all alone in the box, one on one with the goalkeeper!"
I watch as the 'keeper comes off her line to close Logan down. A lot of rookies would panic, but not her. Not my girlfriend. A smile appears on my face as she continues her run around the sprinting 'keeper, before passing the ball into an empty net.
It only takes seconds for her teammates to surround her, each and every one of them are sporting giant grins, all congratulating Logan on another goal. The game winning goal.
The last eight minutes are fought out, and nothing else happens. New York don't get another goal and the defense has clearly learned their lesson as they do everything in their power to stop the ball from reaching Logan's feet. When the referee ends the game, the crowd cheers and the camera pans to Logan, who hugs Hope, she looks so happy.
| Logan |
"Great game today, Logan. You certainly made an impact." John tells me as he shakes my hand. "Are you ready to talk about Canada?"
YOU ARE READING
ʀᴏᴏᴋɪᴇ | ᴋᴏ ✔︎
Fanfiction(BOOK ONE) Logan Scott is at the end of her college soccer career, next up is the professional stage and pledging allegiance to the Nation she feels at home with. Which Country will that be with? Will Logan be able to balance life after college with...
