Saving The Day

42

"Once again the US has reached the semifinals in a world cup! After a tremendous win against France, thank you to Megan Rapinoe"

"Absolutely Alan, the US was also playing with an incredible backline. Hopefully it'll stay consistent against England today"

"How do you feel about Holland Reed's performance?" Heather O Reiley asks the rest of the sports broadcasters at the FIFA World Cup channel.

"Focused would be the word I'd use, she's been on target with her saves. Not one goal has the US conceded."

"We know Holland can be a good leader, but so far she's showed strong leadership skills. Jill Ellis told us after the Sweden game, that the person who always seems to build the team up and motivate them is Holland. Its always her, Jill says. It's been incorporated game after game in this tournament, this is the best USA team we've seen so far since 1999"

.....................................................

Lucy Goosey: I wish you guys luck today

Me: same here, may the best team win.

I reach over and connect my charger to my phone. I've been getting a lot of messages, mostly from my club teammates. I'm playing a few of them today, but we're wishing each other well. I'd be lying if I said I had a bad feeling about this game. Today doesn't seem to feel right, but nonetheless I'll brush it off.

"Hey the bus is here" Alex tells me coming into my room, Julie and I start getting out stuff. Damn, I didn't think time could go by fast. I reconnect my charger to a portable one. I grab the things I need, since the staff have our equipment. Julie waits for me at the door,  we walk out together and into the elevators where Alex was waiting.

"How are you feeling? Like honestly"

"Mentally, Focused. Physically? Great but there's something though. Like I feel weird about this game, maybe it's just me but.. I just feel like it's not something good." I admit to them, and I know it's not exactly something positive to say admist of the game but I'm being honest. I have confidence that we'll be playing our hearts, we'll lay everything on the field but theres something tugging at my chest.

"You're probably just anxious" Alex tells me wrapping her hand around my forearm. I nod half agrerinlgy. When we get to the bus, we join the others going on. I take my seat next to Carli, she's been my closest companion, along side Alex, Christen and Tobin. Christen takes the seat behind me, and gives me a kiss on the cheek sitting back down.

"Ash told us she was telling you to Coach them after Jill, I mean if you do.. I think you'd do a good job, so you should think about it" Carli confidentially tells me. I use to be intimidated by Carli, and I was also that way for her but under all that, was mutual respect. She's not one to hold back either, it's what I admire about her.

"I'll look into it if you're willing to do it with me." I tell her, my lips creasing into a smile. She playfully bumps shoulders with me, before going back to her phone. I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket, I take it out and read my newly message.

My World: Hey hot stuff, you look so beautiful but I know something's bothering you. You don't have to tell me unless you want too, but know that I'm always here for you. I love you My King

Me: you're always there babe, but don't worry I'm okay. Just anxious, I love you too My Queen.

I feel Christen's hand on my shoulder, I always feel this certain way when she touches me. It reminds me that I'm safe because shes here, I know she'll always have my back. She squeezes it before letting go.

Time Skip

'Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?'

As soon as the anthem was over, USA fans scream and cheer. We shake hands with the England players, I hug the girls I know the most and wishing a good luck to Nakita and Lucy. I get in position next to Christen and Alex in our starting line up picture. The closer we are to starting the game, the more my subconscious tugs at my chest. When we disperse, Alex walks to the referees for the coin toss.

"I'm so happy you're starting" I tell Chris as we walk to the sidelines with the team. She deserved more starting games, she deserves more playing time. She's an amazing player, and Jill's missing out completely. Sometimes I wonder if she really knows that these players have more skills and cabilitys then she's experimented on if given the chance.

"So am I!"

Sonnett hands me a water bottle, that I will be taking with me.

"So, what's our speech?" Mal asks me, and everyone turns to look at me. I didn't know I was going to be giving one. Jill even looks at me smiling, I look at everyone else.

"Come on Holly"

"Yeah you really motivated us the last time!" I hear one of them say.

"Well what can I say?" I take a pause to look at everyone of them "I'm proud of each and everyone of you, you've showed a lot of heart out on the field and I want you to keep doing that."

"There was once a player on this team, she was a great captain. I remember something she once said 'If we score, we might win. If they never score, we can't lose'. I remember that everyday I step on the feild, and you should too but one thing I ask of you. Leave blood, sweat, tears and every ounce of your being in this game until the last whistles blown. We worked so hard for this, we did this for what we get next, and for what the next generation doesnt have to fight for. We're doing this for that little girl inside us who dreamed of this, who worked for this, who wanted it more then anyone else!"

When we're done with the speech, we quickly get into our positions for the kick off, England has the ball. The crowd starts the count down, and my adrenaline builds up.

"5..4..3..2..1" and the Referee blows the whistle.

........

In the 10 min, Kelly crosses a ball between the 18 yard box. Like it happened in slow motion, Christen slightly jumps up and heads it into the direction of the goal. I jump up and scream, sure some fan got that crazy scene of me celebrating like a manic but I don't care. Chris holds her hands up, I instantly knew who she was thanking. I teared up a little, an amazing moment she shared with her mom. She looks at me, and I blow her a kiss from far away.

It wasn't until the 19th min, I felt a threat. England pushed up with incredible speed, Beth Mead crosses it to White who taps it in the left side. I jump to my left, throwing it out with my both my hands. My body hits the ground,  as I fell on my shoulder.. and that's when it happened. I heard a snap. Pain sore through my shoulder to my arm and back to my neck of my left arm.