Page 164 of Unrivaled Love
"Great shot," I tell her because it was.
"Thanks. We're just not getting close enough." Keira says, frustrated.
"I think we need to get scrappy. Ireland is young and more technical. We've got experience and better reflexes. I think we just need to create chaos."
She smiles at me. "I like what you're thinking."
I jog back into position and smile.
It's time for some filthy soccer.
A few minutes later we earn a corner kick. I huddle quickly with the girls and we agree on one of our set plays.
I stand in the corner and raise my hand before I wind up and connect with the ball.
With the inside of my foot.
A ground pass rolls quickly to Jess Pars who takes one touch to the outside of her defender and then she sends a shot into the back corner of the net.
We start screaming and run towards each other and the rest of the team piles on too.
"Hell yes!"
"That was fucking sexy!"
"Genius!"
"Fuck yeah!" I yell as we continue to celebrate.
The crowd erupts into U-S-A chants and I pump my fist in time as we jog into position.
I turn to see the Ireland goalkeeper yelling at her defenders and I smirk. We've cracked their armor.
They're not used to getting scored on, especially from set plays.
But they didn't see an in-bound pass coming.
We keep the lead through the rest of the half but Ireland ties it up early in the second.
If we get to the final whistle still tied we have to play another thirty minutes of soccer. Finish that still tied and we go to penalty kicks.
It's never good to be thinking about the end of the game while there's still time on the clock but I can't help but be nervous for penalty kicks.
This is the one time I'll give credit to hockey. In the playoffs they continue full strength play until the next goal is scored. It's sudden death but it's fair play.
Penalty shots to determine a winner of a World Cup is almost like flipping a coin.
But we're not there yet. I can't go there. I need to focus on the fifteen minutes of regulation ahead of me.
I bounce on my toes as our defense collects the ball and gives us time to get into position. I glance up to Bryson’s section and take in the sea of people. I wish he was closer. I can almost feel his gaze on me and with a roll of my neck my determination to do him proud sets in.
Chapter 50
Bryson
One More
"Areyoubreathing?Ican't breathe." I say to Duncan who is standing next to me. There are fifteen minutes left in the semi final match and after Jo went up early with a fucking brilliant set play that caught Ireland off guard they've been all over each other since.
