I feel the breeze blowing around me. I hear the cheering from the sidelines. The air smells of grass and sweat. My touches on the ball are light, controlled. In front, a defender. I lean towards the line, but send a pass inwards. My teammate has it. He races forward like a bullet. I cut inside. He passes back, a perfect one-two. The defenders are beaten. The goal stands open. I focus on the shot, pouring energy into my feet. Keeper moves right. I aim left. This is it. This is the moment. Plant foot. Raise leg. I shoot.
The ball flies through the air. All eyes turn. The keeper has no chance. It’s there. It’s going in. The crowd begins to cheer. I feel a rush of euphoria. The ball glances off the top bar. Miss. Play continues. A defender has it. He kicks it away with a solid thwack that dashes our hopes. One of ours gets it, but a deft kick steals it away. Down the field they go. I stand helpless. Our defender is good. Their attacker is better. The shot is launched. Sunlight glances off the ball. Our keeper’s glove brushes it, ever so slightly. It’s not enough. The crowd cheers. Goal.
Halftime. One to nothing. Not good enough. Coach wants better. Knows we can win.
Play back on. Our kickoff. I play with the ball, feel the thrill of control. Pass, and run. Ball comes back. I tap it and race away. There it is, slightly in front of me, rolling, bouncing. One defender. I tap it left. He can’t move fast enough. I’m away. Seconds later, I cross it in. It’s intercepted. Their ball, but they put it out at the halfway line.
Minutes pass. The ball goes back and forth. We attack, then defend. They push hard, we push back. A goal is almost scored. Free kicks are given. Fresh legs sub for those who need it. I’m in the box again. Keeper catches it. Time is running out. My breath comes in short huffs. Encouragement from the sidelines. I nod.
The pass comes from a midfielder. He ran it up the wing, crossed it well. My turn. I can’t feel tired now. Energy pulses through me. I give one defender the slip, and pass it off. He gets it, takes it up anther few meters. Passes back. Goal is clear. Here goes. I smell the grass, the sweat. I see the keeper, tensed, ready. My leg is planted. My foot connects with the ball. It arcs through the air. I see the keeper leap. The crowd holds its breath. He’s too slow. He’s too short. It strikes the net. Cheers erupt. I smile. Goal.
Not a win today, but we’re getting there. Maybe next week we’ll make it.