Free Solo

94

Audrey's POV

"Let's go Audrey." Moe says as I look at the line-up. "Time to go win."

I nod then I take one last look at our line up for the 2023 World Cup Final which is being played in the Rose Bowl.

21-Aubrey Bledsoe
5-Kelley O'Hara
7-Abby Dahlkemper
22-Emily Sonnett
12-Tierna Davidson
8-Julie Ertz (C)
10-Lindsey Horan
3-Sam Mewis
14-Audrey Solo
13-Alex Morgan
23-Christen Press

"Come on Balto." I say when I've finished reading the line up. "Let's go."

Balto and I get off the bus then we head to the locker room.

When I get to the locker room I head to my locker then take off my necklaces, earrings, and nose ring before I start to change I then change into my warm up shirt, game shorts, my socks and my rainbow and white boots.

After I'm dressed I head out to the pitch with the rest of the team. When I get on the pitch I run through my warm ups with the starters for a while then head back to the locker room.

Once in the locker room I change out of the training top and change into my white jersey. After I'm dressed I wait around while the coaching staff do their last minute talks. When the talks end, the starters and I head to the tunnel and I line up behind Alex

When the ref tells us too we head onto the field then stand in line for the anthems. After the anthems we shake hands with the Dutch then we shake hands with the refs.

After we finish shaking hands we take our starting XI line up photo.

"Sit Balto." I say to my dog, who's wearing my jersey.

Balto does as told and sits down next to Alex while I stand behind him for the picture.

Once the picture is taken, Balto and I head to the team huddle.

After the team huddle I lead Balto to the bench.

"Alright Balto." I say as we get to the end of the bench. "You stay here okay?"

Balto barks at me so I pet him one more time then I head onto the pitch.

Once on the pitch I head to the center circle with Alex.

"You ready Audi?" Alex asks.

"Very ready." I say then the ref blows her whistle so I kick off the game.

The first 10 or so minutes of the game go pretty quickly with both teams trying to find space behind the defense.

In the 15th minute we give away a corner so head to my position to wait for the ensuing corner which Spitse goes over to take. I mark Viv then when the whistle blows I stay with the tall forward and jump a millisecond before she does and I get my head on the ball and it ricochets up field.

The ball falls to Christen as I sprint towards the left side of her.

"HOLD IT PRESS HOLD IT." I shout.

Christen does as I said and holds the ball up while battling against Bloodworth while I sprint up field.

"NOW PRESS." I yell.

Christen passes the ball into my path then I sprint with the ball up field until my girlfriend closes down on me then she shoulders into me. Right before the Dutchwoman bumps me I pass the ball ahead of both of us into empty space.

Luckily I'm only pushed into the Dutch technical area since Daan isn't strong enough to push me to the ground so I keep running after the ball.

I catch up to the ball about 20 yards from goal then I cut in towards goal and sprint towards the Dutch keeper. As van Veenendaal comes off her line I use the inside of my right foot and pass the ball between her legs and into the goal making the score 1-0.