Secrets

Chapter 8

After a week of camp, my running off was forgiven, as I explained my living situation. Of course, I left out the part of my current foster father using me as his personal punching bag, but besides that, I was completely honest. It wasn't that I necessarily lied, it was more I didn't tell the whole truth. I knew if they knew everything, I would get moved to another foster home and might not be able to play with them and my situation could very well get worse than it is now. I was just glad the girls were understanding with how I reacted and didn't hold it against me. I could still see some of them hesitate to say certain things around me, but I just shake it off. 

Another game day was quick to approach, as we're set to play Japan today in our first 2019 SheBelives Cup match. I was a little nervous, knowing this is a tournament and much different than an international friendly. Once again I'm not starting, but also not worried about it. Japan is a tough team, and this proves true as we go into halftime only up 1-0 with a goal from Pinoe.

Once the second half starts off, the game continues to be pretty back and forth. Unfortunately, a poor clearance from our backline gives Japan an easy shot, and they tie the game. In the 80' minute, Jill says over the crowd, "Carli, Ryn, warm-up."

Both Carli and I do some aerobics and a quick jog down the sideline, before I do the same tumbling pass I did before being subbed into the France and Spain game—it's become a habit. "Damn, kid," Carli says looking impressed. "Didn't know you could do that."

"Gets the blood pumping, and helps me focus," I say with a smile, as we both jog back over to Jill.

"You make me feel old," Carli jokes, as I laugh shaking my head.

Jill tells us Carli is going in for Alex, while I'm going in for Pinoe. The both of us are quickly subbed in, in the 85' minute. Thankfully Alex was able to take the lead again with a well-placed cross from Christen, and a quick chest bump from Alex for the ball to hit the back of the net.

Once again, both teams have chances, but nothing happens. Regular time comes and goes, and the ref adds four extra minutes. I'm feeling pretty good, but once again Japan is able to score an equalizer. Except there's still three minutes left in the game, and that's 180 seconds to get the ball and score. Carli quickly plays the ball back into play with a pass to Abby, who then plays it back up the center to Julie. Julie does a quick move to get space from her defender and is able to make a pass out wide to Tobin. I quickly run alongside Tobin up the opposite side of the field, making sure I stay on side.

I see Tobin looking up for the cross as she nears the end of the pitch. Quickly megging her defender to get space, she plays the ball into the box. Both Carli and I make a run in, as I stay near the far post with her in the middle. Her defender is tight on her, while I squeeze in between their backline. Carli tries to go for the shot but ends up deflecting the ball towards me. The deflection is bouncy, and too far forward for me to reach with my foot. I feel the defender chasing after me, give me a slight push. I use the momentum to my advantage, as I fling my body head first. The goalie not expecting my attack, can't get to the far post in time, as my head deflects the ball into the back of the net. I practically belly flop onto the field and let me tell you, it's not pleasant. The entire front side of my jersey is grass-stained, but I can't help the smile that spreads on my face.

Quickly getting up, I feel Carli hug me first saying, "That was incredible!"

As Carli pulls away, I see Tobin sprinting at me before jumping into a hug, "Let's go, CJ!" I laugh, as I catch her much taller frame.

I hear over the speakers an announcer say, "She does it again! Cathryn Johnson scores a last-minute goal, putting the USA ahead!"

The rest of the team on the field congratulates me, seeing as it's my first tournament goal. As the game starts back up again, there is only a minute left, leaving Japan no time to score and for us to walk away with the win.