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.
After the ball hits the net the crowd erupts as kiss the tattoo of my Mom's name on my wrist then I turn upfield.
I don't really wanna celebrate a goal where I had to battle my girlfriend to score.
"THAT WAS SO SICK." Kelley shouts then she hugs me.
"Well you got here fast." I say as I hug my Mama.
Moments later the rest of the starting XI arrive so I hug everyone then we head back upfield.
As we head upfield I run to the bench and hug all of the rest the team then I take a drink of water before I head onto the field.
Once I'm on the field the Dutch restart the game.
In the 32nd minute Stefanie van der Gragt passes the ball up to Jackie Groenen so I run towards the Dutchwoman. When the ball gets to Groenen I tackle the ball away from her then I run towards the ball as it rolls towards van der Gragt. Right before the ball gets to the centre back I get to it, roulette the ball around her, then run towards goal.
The Dutch keeper then comes out of her goal so I side foot the ball around her and into the bottom corner of the goal putting us up 2-0.
As the team run towards me I kiss the tattoo of my Mom's name on my wrist then I hug my teammates.
After I've hugged everyone I head back upfield and get ready for the restart
When the Dutch restart the game we get a little lazy for some reason.
In the 35th minute Abby tries to play a long ball up to me, but it gets cut out by van der Gragt. Stefanie van der Gragt then sends the ball back upfield to Daan who then passes the ball to Viv. The striker then shoots at goal and it goes past Aubrey, cutting the score to 2-1.
"Fuck." I mumble as the Dutch grab the ball and bring it back upfield.
Once the ball is at midfield we restart the game then the rest of the half goes by quickly.
After the ref blows the whistle for halftime we head into the locker room, rehydrate, and listen to Vlatko.
When halftime ends we head back onto the field then the Dutch restart the game.
In the 54th minute Abby intercepts a pass meant for Viv then she passed upfield to Julie. I take a quick glance over my shoulder and see some open space so I move towards it. Julie notices me so she plays a long ball over the top into the space then I run onto the ball. I keep running with the ball into the 18 yard box then I open up my hips and swing my foot back.
I swing my foot towards the ball, but the moment it hits the ball someone crashes into my left leg then I hear a pop and a snap.
"AHHHH." I scream in agony.
I continue to scream out in agony while rolling on the ground until someone comes over to me and holds me down.
"Stop stop stop." Christen quickly says. "You'll fuck it up even more."
"Help me." I beg as my teammates for club and country surround me. "Please help me."
"Baby look at me." Daan says and holds my head as she sit by it. "I need you to breathe. The trainers are on the way."
"I think I'm gonna be sick." Emily says.
"Help me...help me...help me...help me...help me." I continuously beg as my girlfriend strokes my face.
"MOVE." Someone shouts.
"It hurts so bad." I whimper.
"Just focus on me." Daan says.
"Balto." I mumble. "I need Balto."
"BALTO COME." Daan shouts as one of the paramedics puts an oxygen mask on my face.
A few moments later I feel a weight on my abs then Daan grabs my hand.
"Balto's here Audi." Daan says and puts my hand on Balto's head. "Balto's here."
"What's going on?" I say through the oxygen mask.
"They're immobilizing your leg." One of the AT's says.
"Daan you gotta move." Viv says.
I see my girlfriend look at our club teammate like she has three heads, but before Daan can speak Viv cuts her off.
"They have to put her on the gurney then move her to the ambulance. She has Balto and you need to move so she can get the help she needs."
My girlfriend reluctantly moves away from me then I'm lifted off the ground and onto the stretcher.
"Fine." Daan says then I start getting wheeled away quickly.
A moment or two later I'm wheeled into an ambulance, but we don't leave right away.
"I'm her mother." I hear my Mom say.
A couple seconds later my Mom appears above my face.
"Hi babygirl." Mom says and moves the hair out of my face.
I tiredly wave then I hold my hand out.
"I gotcha." Mom says and grabs my hand then a moment later I feel fur on my hand. "And apparently Balto does too."
I lightly laugh then everything gets all fuzzy and I start to fade in and out of consciousness
"AUDREY STAY..."