HAZE (On Hold)

Part 44

Four days later and the United States finds themselves in a must-win situation against their competition from Spain. 

On the cold and overcast day at Stade du Clos Gastel in front of a crowd of just over 1,800, they get off to a rough start when 7 minutes in Spain capitalizes on a sloppy clearance and slots one low past a helpless Amanda to put them into the early lead. 

After being able to fend off the Spanish attack, for the next 35 minutes of the half, a poor play in the box once again is their undoing as even though Amanda gets ahold of the shot, it still manages to find it's way into the net to put the team in Red and Gold up by two goals to end the first half. 

After sitting and listening to their instructions from the coaching staff during the break, the US comes out looking like a different team in the second half; unfortunately for them, the Spanish keeper is up to the task and helps her team maintain their two-goal advantage. 

Finally, in the 83rd minute of the game, the US earns a free-kick just outside the box and after Hailee, Jade and Tessa all confer, they opt to let Jade make the strike. The choice pays immediate dividends as Jade is able to send the ball through the Spanish wall and past the surprised keeper to get them on the board.

A few minutes later Hailee attempts to send a ball in deep to Jade only to have the ball deflect off a Spanish defender and end up in the netting to level the score at two. It's not the way they drew up the play, but they take it and the goal. 

With barely any time left on the clock, the US continues to press and shifts all the players up, leaving a gaping hole on their bag line that the Spanish players attempt to take advantage of for the winner. Amanda comes out to cut off the angle but can only watch as the shot goes low and thankfully wide of the goal. 

The final whistle sounds and with the draw, the United States is eliminated after finishing a very disappointing third in their group. 

Hailee finishes the tournament as her team's leading scorer with four goals, but it's all for naught as the team sits in the changing room after the game fighting back tears. 

Hailee looks around at her teammates and knows she should have some words for them but at that moment she finds herself unable to speak. 

Later after they have gotten out of their uniforms, made the trip back to their hotel, cleaned up and finally sit down for the team supper, Hailee know having had time to absorb things is able to find a few words and calls for their attention. 

"I'm not very good at this whole finding the right words thing and well right now I don't think there are only words to describe how we're all feeling. I know that us losing sucks big time, but I think that today's game showed the heart of our team, we may have been down but we were never out; we kept working hard especially during the second half and managed to make a comeback and draw level. I may have been the one wearing the band on the field today, but all of you stepped up and showed your leadership and determination and I'm proud of you and our team regardless of today's result. I guess that's it, finish eating and how about we end the day with a team movie?" 

She hears some of the girls cheer her, the team and finally the movie idea and attempts to take a seat only to be bear-hugged by Storm before she can. 

"Storm, let me go, I can't breathe." The keeper loosens up her grip. "You played awesomely, Haze." 

Hailee laughs, "Thanks Storm. Being as though the tournament is over I guess it wouldn't hurt for me to let you know that I may still have one more package of Skittles hidden in my bag; how about you share them with Jade."