USWNT 3.0

55

Game Day 

USAvSUI

{A/N : I know this is not very realistic, because Switzerland is not as good as the US. But since it's a fiction, I can do what the hell I want to do.}

The stadium was moved by a respectful silence. Not only for the victims of the recent attacks, but also for Alyssa Naeher. Her picture, light smile and killer look was on the big screen, and the girls felt their hearts stop for a while. 

The Swiss team was standing right next to them, tears in their eyes. The French team, who won their game against Canada earlier this week, were also on the stands, wearing Alyssa's jersey. The girls recognized Amandine and Claire, the two girls that were here, helping the keepers to get out of this alive. They were the reason why two of them were still alive. Lara Dickenmann, the Swiss captain, advanced to shake Tobin's hand. She respectfully looked at her in the eyes, and her voice just came through. 

"Be strong." 

With that said, the former OL midfielder went back to her team. Tobin just looked at the girls on the bench and on the stands - her team, her family. She saw her whole country rising thorough her eyes. 

She closed them. 

°

Starting XI : Betos ; Sonnett, Marovic, Roccaro, Rys ; Heath (c), Long, K. Mewis, Ohai ; Pugh, Sanchez.

Alex was tensed. Her hand was holding her husband's, and she was breathing heavily. She knew it could be the end. She didn't want it to be ; she loved the team too much. The roaster was quite good, but with neither Julie or Kelley on it - and not knowing the other very young players - she didn't feel safe at all. 

Just next to her, Amy was there, clinching her jaw. 

"Come on, Tobs, lead that team to victory" she murmured, her eyes locked on her friend. 

Lauren, who was sitting next to her, heard her. She grabbed her forearm with her hand, and winked at her. 

"She will. I know her. She will."

°

"There is a two-nail lead for Switzerland here at halftime. The Lyonnais stadium is moved by this US team, that is trying to fight against the odds. The recent loss of their starting goalkeeper, Alyssa Naeher, left an open and painful wound. The main problem with the roaster today is that the Chicago Red Stars players are not allowed to play, because they are 'too weak' emotionally speaking. That takes Johnston, Press and McCaffrey out of the list. Kelley O'Hara, that has been injured during training yesterday, was also out of the roaster. It is very difficult for these young players to know what to do without their leader. The back-line is doing well, but just can't resist an attack as strong as Bachmann and Dickenmann. The two goals, that happened by the end of the half, showed an exhausted and heartbroken US team"

Heather Mitts just looked down. She knew nobody wanted to hear this, especially after the very good start the team has had during this tournament. But now that the second half was about to start, it seemed pretty clear that it would be complicated. 

The blonde looked at Jrue Holiday - Lauren's husband - and made him a sign so that he would speak. 

"Seems like Parsons is making some changes. Is that Johnston here on the sideline ?" he exclaimed. 

°  

Julie was indeed walking toward the field. Christen ran to her, grabbing her arm. That caused the defender to turn around.