A Legacies Beginning

Scout

If you'd told me when I was 7 that 9 years later I'd be playing for Melbourne CIty, I probably would've believed you. What I wouldn't have believed is that I'd be playing for their  second team squad. Even though I've only had 30 minutes on this season (one game coming on from the bench) I scored a hattrick to win the match 3-2.
I don't play often because the coach doesn't believe a sixteen year-old like me "deserves" to play. I can't get seen as an option for the first team squad this way either, so I've been playing for my school side as well, and we've won the inter school league with eight games to go, with myself the captain of the Hillbrook Hunters. It's hard to balance it sometimes, and I do miss trainings and games for the Hunters on occasion to sit on the bench at Melbourne City. They picked me up when I was five and put me in their junior youth program, turning me into the striker I am today.

 I don't live to far from the MC Centre, so getting to training isn't to difficult. Walking through the doors at 6 a.m to the heated reception is always nice, and I smile at Lacey, the reception lady as I walk into the main hallway and take a left into the large dressing room. Most of the first and second squad are here already, and I mind my own business as I go to my locker in the corner and chuck on my training gear. I pick my blue and white boots over my orange and black boots, and check my schedule. We all go through rotations of training routines, and they get put on each of our lockers everyday. I've got 1 on 1 attacking practice with one of the reserve goalkeepers Leo, and then a match (which I'll probably be benched for), followed by running and stamina exercises.

As I'm walking out I can't help but overhear the captain of the first squad, Larry Sentos, talking to the first team striker. "Gaffer said that Man City were sending scouts down here for this mornings training. Just two, to check for any talent worth taking a look at, but I'm sure they'll find something."

A scout? Today? I need to play in that match if I want a shot at the big teams. If I can impress these scouts, I could end up playing for Man City! I suddenly feel an energy rush through me. It's the same energy I get when I'm about to take a shot a goal, and I think I'm about to take a shot at a real career. 

I head out of the dressing room and jog up the long hallway out into the huge park behind the facility. I has three pitches, but we only ever really use the middle one for games, as goals and targets are usually set up on the other two. I head over the the pitch on the far left, and to a goal nearest to the facility. I get there before Leo, and start warming up, doing stretches and light running. Leo eventually arrives, and joins in.

"Hey Aiden, how are ya?" He asks kindly.

I can tell he doesn't know about the scouts and look around before telling him. I'm not sure if this is meant to be a secret or not and I don't want to risk it. "Leo there are scouts from Man City here today. We've got a shot at a real career right now!"

His mouth drops as we finish warming up, but he keeps his composure just like a professional, and smirks, "Give me some easy saves then?"

"May the best man win." I chuckle, giving him as fist bump as he kicks me a ball and I start outside the box for a 1-on-1 attack.

It takes me to seconds to get a feel of the ball, and I run at Leo, faking a shot and throwing him off before making a quick dash to chip it over him.

We don't say anything as go at him again, taking a shot at the top right corner, which he reaches just in time. He's stepped his game up and now I've got to as well, feeling that energy buzz inside me. I go at him again, scoring, only for him to save the next one. It goes in this same pattern, and it seems like we are jinxed until finally one of us slips. I'm taking a penalty shot and I hear someone clear their throat which seems to make time freeze. It was the scout. I just know it was, and I want to look at them so bad. I don't want to be rude and ignore them, but if I embarrass myself in front of them I'd throw away everything I've worked for.

I make up my mind and commit myself to the shot, belting it in between Leo's open legs.

His gaze moves for a split-second, and he starts to go left before re-assessing my positioning and closing his legs just as the ball flies through. Both Leo and I turn to look at the woman observing us, and we see her nodding at me, taking quick notes. I recognise her as former Matilda's legend Kate Gill. She racked up a massive forty goals in eighty appearances for international career, and has played in clubs around the world. 
I feel my knees buckle under me and bow my head in respect. I've never met anyone who's played for the Matilda's or  Socceroos before so this is truly special.

"Get up." She tells me, and I rush to my feet, tensing up after hearing her voice, "You two obviously recognise me, what are your names?"

I look to see Leo getting up as well, obviously we had the same reaction. "Aiden Reeves miss," I say as I shake her hand, "Pleasure to meet you."

"And I'm Leo, nice to meet you too." He is super shaky, but Kate gives us both a warm smile before reviewing her notes.

"Both of you caught my attention as soon as I caught sight of you, and I had to take a closer look. Aiden, your technique in your shots is phenomenal, but you struggle to deal with Leo's excellent reflexes. If you didn't know already, I'm out here today scouting, and I'll be submitting both of your names to the manager. All the scratch matches today will also be filmed and sent across, so you two better impress me today."

Leo and I nod, speaking together, "We won't let you down miss."

She hands Leo her clipboard and her pen, with which he quickly scribbles some stuff down, and then hands it to me. I realise what it is and fill it in too.

Name: Aiden Reeves
Age: 16
Position/s: ST, CF
Mo. Number:  0496 829 423
Email: areeves@melbcfc.com.au

I hand the clipboard back to Kate and she walks off, "Can't wait to see you two play for real."

Leo and I are frozen in place, having just been in the presence of such an icon. He looks at me and I look him, both in mutual agreement that we need to help each other get on one of the teams in the match. If I could impress Kate, my name might get around to the national team, and from there the possibilities are endless. I've always wanted to play in England, France, and Germany, and this opportunity could be the start of my dream.