*
ICC game 2: North Carolina Courage v Man City Women
Having watched the first half of the Lyon v Atletico Madrid game and with the additions of Nikita, Keira and also Alex Greenwood to the French club and Toni to the Spanish one, it's clear what we'll be up against if we beat the Courage.
NC Courage XI | Labbé ; Hinkle, Erceg (c), Dahlkemper, Mathias ; Mewis, O'Sullivan ; Zerboni, Debinha ; Williams, McDonald
{Subs : Rowland ; Kurtz, Harbison ; Dunn, Roccaro, Spetsmark ; Pruitt, Hamilton}
Man City Women XI | Roebuck ; Stokes, Mannion, Houghton (c), Fidalgo ; Weir, Bradley, Guijarro ; Hemp, White, Coombs
{Subs : Bardsley ; Bonner, Campbell, Morgan ; Scott, Wullaert ; Beckie, Utland, Stanway}
We're going to have our work cut out tonight but I think we can do it, we just need to draw out certain players and get in behind.
"Charlotte, a word please" Nick says, pulling me aside in the corridor, "what is it?" I ask and Nick smiles a little. "It's nothing serious don't worry" he replies.
"I want you to watch a bit closer tonight, as if you were the head coach. There's plenty of things you can learn from the coaches out here, about their tactics and how they manage their players" he explains, "if you wanted to go on and be an assistant or even a head coach somewhere else, shadowing one of the NWSL coaches would be the way to about it" Nick adds.
"Alright" I smile, "I know we planned two substituions, but I want you to decide about making the third and also who to swap around" he says.
"Sure, if that's what you want me to do" I reply shrugging, "good, let's see if the girls are ready" Nick smiles.
*
"Push up!" I shout, moving my arm and indicating the direction I want them to go, "come on let's go, let's go!" I add before sitting back down next to Nick.
We're 2-1 up early in the second half and we've swapped Katie out for Tessa.
The youngster has done really well considering she hadn't been around the senior team before this year, she's been brilliant in training and was great during the first half; she even got the assit for the second goal.
"Charlotte, Nick. Looks like Lauren's struggling, you might want to make another substitution".
The voice of the new analyst Holly comes through on the radio and I sigh, looking along the bench to Sarah and Scott. "Lauren's limping, at the next stoppage in play go and check her out" I say as Nick relays the information to the youngster on the far side of the pitch.
Thankfully, it isn't long before the ball goes out of play and Lauren calls the medics over to have a look at her while we send Lisa, Janine and Georgia out to warm up.
"Looks like her hamstring again" Scott says through the radio, "I'm going to take her off" he adds, turning round and showing the universal sign for a change.
"Lisa, you're up!" I shout down the line and the forward nods, running back to the bench and removing the subs vest she's wearing. Chris goes over to sort the change with the fourth official and Lisa has her boots checked etc, the board showing Lauren's number in red and Lisa's in green.
"Substitution for Man City in the 57th minute. Leaving the field of play number 15 Lauren Hemp. Entering the field of play number 16 Lisa-Marie Utland".
"Good job Lauren" I say sympathetically, giving her a quick hug, "sorry about your injury" I add and she shrugs, "me too" she replies, hobbling to the bench. Scott gives her some ice to strap onto her leg, which she does wincing slightly at the cold and then turns her attention back to the game.
Cheers echo around WakeMed Soccer Park and just like that, the Courage have equalised through McCall Zerboni.
*
North Carolina Courage 2 Man City Women 3 {Coombs 9' / Fidalgo 21' / Mewis 42' / Zerboni 58' / Utland 73'}
"Congratulations on the win girls" Nick says in the post match huddle, "we will now go on to face Atletico in the final, here in three days time" he explains.
"Congratulations Laura, Mathilde and Lisa on your first goals for the club" I add and a round of applause rings around the circle, "tonight was a test against a new team and I thought we performed well, but not without things to improve on" I explain. "We have plenty of aspects to work on before we take on Atletico but let's get changed and get back to the hotel" I say and the team nods.
The staff and I leave the circle and Jill gets the girls to do a team on three, myself and Nick discussing some aspects of the game and how we can improve come the final.
"Nick, Charlotte" someone says, causing Nick to stop what he's saying and us both to turn.
"Congratulations on the win" the Courage head coach smiles, "thank you" Nick says, accepting it graciously.
"I just came over to say I was very impressed with your coaching skills Charlotte" Paul adds and I'm a bit taken aback, "I can see that your knowing so many of the team as friends before you took up the job, has helped with your understanding of them now and that you find it easier to express what you want them to do" he explains.
"Erm... t-thank you" I stutter, totally surprised, "if you ever fancy a job in the States, it would be a pleasure to have you as my assistant" Paul smiles.
He walks down the tunnel behind the girls and I stare after him, still astounded by his offer, "it's a good one you know" Nick says, "the offer" he adds. "I'd take that one up if the chance ever came around, he seems to like your style of coaching" the head coach explains, "yeh but I'm assistant for you aren't I, plus it doesn't look like his assistant is going to be leaving any time soon does it?" I reply.
"Yes but it's too good an opportunity to miss, remember that Charlotte".
*
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Connections
FanfictionCharlotte Williams always wanted to be a football coach or referee. Becoming a coach was almost a no brained where as being a referee; well there's more to that than meets the eye. You see the standard of referring, especially in the women's game i...
