Legendary Pt. 4 Morgan!Reader.
Waiting for the next match is always the worst part. It allows people to wonder, expectations rise and the entire world is watching you like a hawk. It doesn’t matter if you’re in or out of the pitch, they’re ready to catch the wrong moment.
They’re ready to see you fail.
But you’re strong; perhaps stronger than you should be at your age.
You’re mature on the field, you know how to handle the pressure, how to shove aside the noise until it’s only you and the ball. That’s a part of what you bring to this team; temperance and resilience. You keep your head cool and your heart ignited.
No one on the team is afraid to put on the work, to stay behind to polish any and all details. Everyone is ready for one more rep, one more drill, one opportunity to show you deserve to be there. Nothing great has ever been done by giving up, and when all the odds are stacked against you, you’re ready to fight, burn, and come back from the ashes stronger than ever.
“It had to be Japan, uh?” Janice asks while you take a break.
“We can do this.”
“Confident?”
You shrug at the question. You’re confident in your team, although you don’t underestimate your rival. There’s a reason why they made it to the World Cup. Japan has always been a complicated team to play against.
They have discipline, technique and hunger.
But so do you. And you have heart; a burning passion to prove everyone wrong, including the voices lurking in the back of your head telling you to give up.
However, they’re not loud enough to silence the voice of your mom, Kelley, and Pinoe or every single member of your team, your family and friends. They’re your motivation, and you won’t let them down. You won’t let yourself down.
You’re confident this team has what it takes.
You know that you’ll leave everything you got on the pitch. You trust the rest of the team to do the same; push until the last second and until there’s nothing else to give. You’re willing to play your heart out, no matter if your every bone hurts at the end of the match.
“I’m confident, but not cocky. We have a great team, and we’re doing this right. We have to keep doing that, one pass at a time.”
“If that’s the case, then I hope you’re ready. There’s one more scrimmage to go.”
You groan when Janice pulls you back to your feet although the grin is clear on your face.
“I’m not on your team,” you mutter as you follow her back to the others.
“Picking the losing team, Y/n. I expected better from you.”
*****
Technically, you knew that playing every game wasn’t ideal or optimal for your body.
You’re happy some of your teammates are getting minutes, putting their names out there and giving their all for the same cause. Still, that doesn’t mean you enjoy the bench.
Even before the game starts, you pace the length of the bench. You keep doing so until the teams jump into the field for the National Anthems. Those minutes serve you as a pause before Pinoe finally guides you back to the bench and pushes you to take a seat.
“The final fixture of the group phase is here! And what a match it is. I think we can all agree that not having Morgan in the line-up is a surprise. We don’t know of any injuries, and that brings up the question; what’s the plan for today?”
“If there’s nothing stopping Y/n from playing, she should be on the field. Japan is not an easy match, and maybe this is a sign of overconfidence from the USWNT. Their group is close; a win will let them advance as leaders. A tie can put them in problems. Losing here might send them home despite the good results in previous matches.”
“There’s only one way to find out. Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time for some soccer!”
No one enjoys watching the game from the bench, but it’s truly a different experience than seeing it in front of a tv screen or even from being in the crowd. It’s one of those odd sensations when you know you’re part of the game as a whole even if you’re not part of the starting lineup.
Pinoe talks you through the finer details of the game; she helps you grow even when you’re watching from the sideline. Sonnet and her see you as the Maverick, you can change a game with your abilities. You find the spaces that no one else does, you think with or without the ball at your feet, you’re a smart player in every sense of the world.
Sure, that might remind some people of Alex, but you’re good not because of her.
You have a passion for the sport that was born from her. After all, it’s hard not to love something your mom was so passionate about. She taught you discipline, but passion? That can’t be taught.
You listen intently to Pinoe while Sonnett guides the players on the field. Then, they switch positions and you have another world to learn from Emily’s perspective.
“Whatever happens, you’ll enter for the last twenty minutes, okay?” Emily asks patting your shoulder with the glint of a proud smile on her face.
“Yes, coach.”
Not being able to play every minute is also a part of the game. This is not just any tournament. This is the world cup; long and hard with little time to rest between matches. It’s an exhausting process, not just for your body but for your mind.
The expectations of the whole nation, hell, maybe the entire world rests on the shoulders of twenty four players. It’s a whole lot of pressure for all players; the ones that played the last World Cup, and the young ones that want to change the world.
This match, specifically, is a lesson.
You already know how to move on the field with the ball at your mercy, and you know how to move to create space for you or others. Now, Pinoe and Sonnett are teaching you how to improve your game even when you’re not playing.
They want you to be better. From being an amazing player, to being a world champion.
World Cups aren’t just won on the field. Every single moment counts, and when the first goal finally arrives, you cheer for your teammates with everything you have.
“That’s the end of the first half! It’s been a rocky game so far. Japan is a very physical game, they have speed, and a lot of talent on their ranks. But I think we’re seeing a USWNT that knows how to play each match. Even without Y/n on the field, they were able to score. I see potential on this team, but will it be enough to win it all?”
“Well, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. There’s still forty-five minutes to go, and several matches on this World Cup if they want to do something really meaningful. There’s a long road ahead if they wanna be anything like the Golden Team.”
“Intense game, uh?” You ask Krash once you’re in the locker room.
“You seem awfully chirpy for someone that is on the bench.”
“Hey!” You protest. “What’s the use of being grumpy? I’d still be on the bench.”
“I heard you’re having playing time at some point.”
“See? An extra reason to avoid all kinds of grumpiness. And between us?” You ask with a mocking conspiratorial tone. “I’m confident there’ll be another match. We got the best team in the world.”
“Hell yeah, we do!” Janice shouts from behind you.
Soon the entire team goes into a bundle, and you break apart after a cheer.
You feel it then, the heart of this team. The passion within you, they all feel it. The drive for victory, the hunger for it. There’s dedication and sweat, even blood.
The USA had to wait a long time for a team like this; with big dreams, with high hopes and with steady feet to walk steadily towards the top. But this group of women raising their hands in unison, this family found through soccer, they’re ready.
And so are you.
“Go kill it out there,” you tell Krash and O’Hara.
“You know it.”
*****
Going back to the bench brings up your nervousness again, but as soon as Pinoe notices, she sends you to warm up. It’s the best use of your anxious energy, so you nod before putting on the fluorescent vest.
A switch is flipped and suddenly you’re in beast mode.
You focus on warm ups and yet are hyper aware of everything else going on around you. You hear people cheering for the team and those that are the opposite. You hear your teammates calling for the ball once the match resumes. You hear Sonnett shouting instructions behind you and when the rest of the bench comes out to join you.
You take everything in, let it fuel your passion even more.
“You got this, Y/n!”
Alex’s voice cuts through the crowd and you smile despite yourself. There, in the second row right next to the bench, your mother cheers you on. Her words give you any and all courage needed as you intensify your warm up.
The time for you to enter is closer by the second and you’re prepared to face anything Japan throws your way. The magic of playing the biggest tournament in the world is still pretty much there. Even with all the pressure and expectations, this is the best thing in the world.
“Let’s do this,” you whisper to yourself once you’re finally in.
“Morgan has entered the game. What can she do with limited time?”
The team keeps the lead, but you’re there to push the tempo. You don’t let Japan feel comfortable; they’re starting to feel tired while your legs are fresh. As impatient as you can be on the bench, you know how to wait on the field and what to wait for.
You recognize the few chances to make a move, break their defense, slip past their lines and take a long distance shot with all the technique learned from your mother. You only have one instant to get the ball through, but it’s the one you’ve been waiting for.
Right then your name isn’t what truly matters. However, your ability on the field does, it speaks for itself and leaves no doubt as to why you’re in the National Team.
Soccer is your element, your passion. You live it. You breathe it. And you make it change as needed. You have the ability to bend it to your will to benefit you and the team you represent.
Certainly, you’re one of the youngest players on the current roster, but it’s obvious there’s something different about you. There’s something in you more than talent and passion; you have dedication, discipline, hunger and more.
Of course, there’s still a lot for you to learn. Which means nothing when you learn as fast as you do.
Your energy drives the team forward, makes them try even when the score is against you. More importantly, you push them to be their best selves even when the match is won. You move around in the field and it’s almost like magic, not just of what you do with the ball at your feet either. The whole team follows your lead even when Krash wears the captain armband.
She has the experience and voice, and yet, you are the drive of the team.
At the time, 78th minute, your shot slices through the defense and can’t be stopped by anyone, not even the goalkeeper.
“That’s a goal! And what a goal it was. A magnificent shot from Morgan that could simply not be stopped.”
“She had the space, the time and she didn’t waste it. With only fifteen minutes to play, I feel that this team is a bit closer to being group leaders.”
“What will this mean for them?”
“In the big picture? Little. But it’s a better chance facing the next round. They have some big names, and they got some big results. However, for a team with so much story as the USWNT, nothing but the title of Champions can be considered a Victory.”
“Do you think they have what it’s needed?”
“...Maybe.”
The ref blows the end of the match and you hurry to celebrate with your team; hugging each other with glee. You made it further than in the last World Cup, and that deserves a little celebration.
It feels good to get some of the results you’ve been looking for although there’s still a long way ahead. Still, enjoying each victory is not really that bad as long as you keep your eyes on the ultimate goal and don’t stop moving forward.
Before you follow the team back into the tunnel, you walk towards Alex.
She waits for you with a smile and hugs you tightly once you’re within reach. It’s a bit awkward considering the barrier still in between, but you couldn’t care less about that at the moment. You hug her with as much fervor as she does and laugh breathlessly.
“We made it through, mom!” You say excitedly.
“You did a fantastic job. All of you. I couldn’t be prouder of you.”
“But you will,” you counter with a smile. “After the next game.”
“Yeah,” she agrees, returning your smile. “I will.”
That’s the thing with her, she always finds another reason to be prouder of you. It doesn’t matter if the next game doesn’t end as you wish, you’re her daughter and she will always be proud of you. She has been there through the good and the bad. She cheers through your every victory. She helps you back to your feet after a defeat. She’s the reason you won’t give up, you’ll push as hard as possible and hope that positive inertia carries you all the way to the final.
You’re pretty sure that the only thing better than playing in a World Cup is actually lifting the trophy. That moment is far beyond the limits of your imagination; something you have to live and feel.
However, the way Alex looks at you makes you wonder if watching you play is higher in her list of memorable instances. After another hug and the kiss she places on your temple, you decide it has to be up there.
*****
“Today was a great match. You managed to score a goal even with limited time on the field. Were you trying to prove a point to the coaching staff?”
It takes you a couple of seconds to truly understand what they’re asking you.
The press has a twisted perspective and won’t hesitate to bend and warp your words to fit their narrative. Dealing with them can be exhausting, but it’s not something you can’t do. Not when you’re still riding the high of that game against Japan.
“No, not at all. This is the World Cup. It’s a demanding tournament and we know everyone will get playing time. Like you said, the team did great out there not just today but we found our ground in every match. Some of us were lucky enough to have more minutes on the group phase, but there’s no point to prove. Everyone that is here deserves to be here. I just gave my everything in those few minutes because that’s what you gotta do to advance.”
“Advance you did. Congratulations. We’ll let you go back to your team now.”
With a smile to the cameras and a wave, you make your way down the tunnel and to the locker room where half the team is already changed.
“Alright, girls!” Pinoe calls for everyone’s attention. “I want all of you to take this moment in. Enjoy it for a bit but don’t let it get to your heads. Tomorrow we focus on our next goal.”
“Winning the world cup,” Janice states as she sits beside you.
“One match at a time,” you reply with a nod.