USWNT 3.0

19

GAME DAY against SWEDEN 

"I'm here with two former USWNT players today, two legends that are Gold medalists and World Cup champions. One of them was part of the 'Brick Wall' and is now a legend while playing for FC Kansas City ! And the other one may be a cool, relaxed and funny girl off the pitch, but when she steps on the field, she's got her game face on !" Heather Mitts commented, trying not to laugh. "Let me introduce you my two dear friends - even though they don't need any introduction - : Becky Sauerbrunn and Heather O'Reilley !"

The three girls started to laugh. It wasn't the first time the two former USWNT players were doing a commentary for games. 

"Hey" Hao said, trying to keep her composure. "What's up, people ?" 

That made Becky laugh, but she didn't say anything. Karina LeBlanc, who was Mittsy's alum for the commentary, was sitting next to the defender. She gathered her pieces of papers together, trying not to laugh. 

"It is a pleasant afternoon in Eastern America, as the clouds have faded away !" Karina said, reading her notes. "The Women's National Team is ready to take on Sweden, a team they last faced in the Olympics, and we all know it didn't end well." 

"That's true" Mittsy said. "Sweden is a very strong team ! But with Lotta Schelin's retirement, and their star goalkeeper Lindhal as well, the team had to find a new balance. They have tons of new players, and did well in their recent tournaments. They're fierce, and pretty happy to be here and play the US again." 

"Speaking of Schelin, she was in the middle of the drama with Hope Solo post Olympics, three years ago" Karina said, smiling. "She was the first person to comment Hope's accusations, saying that she wasn't a bad person, and tweeted something to say that she wasn't mad. The two girls actually played in Sweden together, and are pretty good friends still today." 

"Lotta Schelin is a class act, indeed" Mittsy added. 

"Back to the game" Karina LeBlanc said, looking at the clock. "Mark Parsons told me the other day that we can expect some changes in the US bench."

"Indeed" Mittsy said. "The starting XI is pretty surprising. Instead of using his key players, Parsons decided to let the youngsters play. With Alyssa Naeher on goal, the defensive players include Johnston, of course, O'Hara, and then two newbies on the soccer stage : Marovic and Rys. Well, Rys already prove herself last game with a tremendous early tackle."

"I understand Maura Rys is the one player you took under your wing when she joined the league ?" Karina asked Becky. 

"Yes, she is" the defender said. "She's a very talented young woman, and so is Saskia Marovic. I think we need to trust Mark on this, because he knows what he's doing." 

They all nodded. And Heather Mitts continued to comment on the roster :

"Then, in the midfield, no Tobin Heath ! That's probably the most surprising change Parsons could've made. Instead, he started Kealia Ohai, a tremendous player that scored the winning goal in the u-20 World Cup back in 2012. Alongside her, Horan and Long, still ruling the defensive midfield, and Samantha Mewis, that will probably be subbed out of her sister later on in the game." 

The took a little beak, looking at her notes. 

"And we've got two brand new starting forwards !" Karina exclaimed. 

"Sydney Leroux, who is no stranger to the soccer stage, is making her big comeback. She's had quite a good season in Seattle so far, and always come up big when we need her. The other forward starting is the young Lena Riley, only seventeen years of age, part of the trade between UCLA and Orlando this year." 

"Lena Riley, who is by far the biggest surprise on this roster !" Karina said, smiling. "She wasn't here in the previous camps, but Parsons chose her to be part of the final 23. We didn't really got to see her play in the National Team, so tonight is the night she's got to prove what she's worth !"

°  

The game started pretty well for the United States. 

Within three passes coming from Lindsey to Kelley, and then far up to the Swedish side, Lena was already making a run on the far side. When Sydney passed her the ball, she didn't hesitate to go 1v1 against the keeper. The ball found the back of the net, and the crowd erupted in cheers. Lena rushed into Sydney's arms, and the rest of the team followed them. 

"Holy shit !" Hao said, before closing her mouth. "Sorry for swearing, people, but what a way to start a game ! The youngster Riley earns her first international goal in her girls international appearance, and it's only like fifteen seconds into this one !" 

"Nothing the keep could have done" Mittsy then said. "She got out of her line at the right time, but Lena Riley was just too fast." 

On the big screen, the crowd could see the players hugging the youngest of them all, all smiles, while the Swedish players were not really happy.  

During the whole first half, both team had some opportunities, but no goal was scored. Alyssa already came up with three big saves, while the forwards were trying their best to score. After the halftime break, when the team came back from the locker room, everything changed. Their mindsets were totally different. Mark subbed Ashley Sanchez in for Lena Riley, and then Cari Roccaro for Maura Rys. 

The game then resumed, and the intensity had increased. 

"We have a really motivated team here" Hao said, smiling. "They remind me of us back in the 2015 World Cup. We had lost this flame, this ball of energy, but they're regaining it after time, and that's so amazing."

"Sydney Leroux just earned the USA their fifth corner of the game" Karina LeBlanc said, her eyes glued to the screen. 

It was the 50th minute. Everybody was aware that it was time for the team to make the brace, because it would comfort them. Only Kelley and Saskia stayed behind in case of something went wrong, while the other players were entering the eighteen. Cari, who really had no idea what to do, decided to take a few step backwards. She wasn't marked, since important players like Julie or Allie were on the eighteen. So when Lindsey sent a beautiful ball toward her, Cari only kicked it right away. It lobbed the keeper, and peacefully fell into the goal. 

The whole team then ran towards her. The cameraman made a closeup on the bench, where a very happy Morgan Brian was making a happy dance with Crystal. 

"I really wasn't expecting that from Roccaro !" Karina LeBlanc exclaimed. "I mean, I knew she was a wonderful player, but damn girl, that shot was beautiful !" 

"I think Sweden didn't expect her to be a striker, so they just didn't mark her" Becky said in a very serious tone. "It was a very smart move from her to stay outside of the box, and from Lindsey to just spot her here and put this beautiful ball to her." 

The final result was 3-0, with a late goal in stoppage time by Kealia Ohai. Even though the girls didn't want to admit it (*cough* Becky and Hao *cough*) it was a really sweet feeling of revenge after the Olympics. 

Also, the USA were officially qualified for the playoffs, even though they still had South Africa to play against.