Tales of the Tournaments

During their time in Auckland, AT had decided to take Ali's advice to heart, and reached out to some of the other team youngests. There were some difficulties crossing the language barrier with a couple of the teams, but Argentina's Lara Esponda and Chiara Singarella seemed nice enough. Plus, AT thought this was a bonus, neither she or Milly would have to worry about playing against Lara and Chiara yet. They could just be friends together and play games during their free time.

AT had brought her Nintendo Switch from home (not that she envisioned getting much time on it) and occasionally the four teens gathered in AT and Alex's room, playing Mario Kart against each other. Milly and AT were one team while the Argentinans formed the other. Much to AT's annoyance, Chiara seemed to be a better player than she was. Perhaps it was to do with being older, AT reflected.

So the four spent time playing on the Switch, racing outside (AT was definitely the fastest runner, when it came to straight up physicality) and occasionally, playing Pokemon Go with Milly, though never in the street. Milly had learned that lesson.

Eventually, the little group of four were approached by a fifth - Vũ Thị Hoa, the nineteen-year-old youngest of the Vietnamese national team. She was a little shy, and didn't speak English well, but they welcomed her warmly. They were glad to help her practice her English, and she did her best to teach them a little Vietnamese, pointing out various things and repeating the names for them. 

By the time the USWNT's opening match against Vietnam beckoned, AT thought she might have another new friend.

Even if they couldn't be friends on the pitch. It would be interesting to see what the slightly older forward would do. 

The 22nd came, and the USWNT lined up against Vietnam at Eden Park. Alyssa started on the bench, and she tried not to worry too much about it. The starting forwards were Sophia Smith, Alex Morgan, and Trinity Rodman.

AT sat next to Pinoe on the bench, and offered the three a small wave as they went to take their positions.

"Is Vlatko going to play me?" she asked, and Megan ruffled the teen's hair lightly.

"I just bet, little one. You'll get your chance. Just watch and learn," she instructed, and AT tried to sit still and pay attention. She noticed that her new friend was on the Vietnamese bench, too, undergoing what Alyssa could only assume was similar instruction from another player. The other teen sat straight-backed at attention, keeping still far more easily than AT could.

AT kept her eyes on the match, and before long she noticed what Sophia Smith was doing. Her fellow forward had the ball in her possession, practically rocketing toward the goal - there. Not even fifteen minutes in, she’d put it neatly past the Vietnamese keeper.

It was the fastest goal of the tournament so far, and Sophia was made much of, as she ought to be. Alyssa wished she could run out onto the pitch and celebrate, too, but a hand on her knee made her twitchiness subside. Lindsey was hugging Soph, at least, and AT hoped to earn that sort of appreciation from the captain, if only she could get out there---

“Alyssa, sit down.” 

AT squeaked and dropped back to the bench, looking at Megan meekly.

“Sorry Pinoe.”

“Shh, no, it’s alright kiddo. You want to be out there with Soph too, I know. You will be, I’m sure. Just wait. I know it’s hard.” Megan tucked an arm around AT as they watched the game play out. 

AT stayed there, tucked in Megan Rapinoe’s arms, as the first half continued. Much to the teen’s frustration, nothing really seemed to be happening - there were attempts on goal, sure, but they were offside, or missed, or blocked, and there were missed chances that made her kick at the ground in annoyance.

“I should be out there, Pinoe.”

“Alyssa Paola,” Megan said with a meaningful look, and AT subsided, though she didn’t apologize. Instead she just buried her face in Megan’s shoulder, letting the older girl hold her as she shook with frustrated sobs.

“Shhh. It’s okay sweetheart. You will be, I promise. I know how much you want to play.” Megan rubbed Alyssa’s back, soothing her. “Here, sit up, look at this.”

The last few minutes of the first half were winding down, and Sophia Smith had scored another goal. It had been sent for review, causing everyone on the American bench some anxiety.

In the end, though, it was ruled onside and legal. 

Sophia Smith had put the US ahead 2-0 just before the end of the first half.

When the whistle blew and the teams separated for the break, Alyssa practically jumped off the bench, running to Sophia’s arms.

“Kiddo.”

AT froze, pulling away from Sophia’s arms, and turned to look at Lindsey. The blonde beckoned her closer.

“Linds--I mean, Captain?” Alyssa swallowed nervously.

“What did Pinoe tell you about sitting still and waiting your turn, Alyssa?” Lindsey asked calmly, her eyes searching AT’s. 

“Um…that I had to sit still and wait,” AT whispered. “And that Vlatko was gonna put me in, just not yet.” She swallowed hard. “Did…did I ruin it? Is he gonna not put me in at all?”

“Oh, no, honey, shhh.” Lindsey softened, tugging AT into her arms and holding her close, just like she’d held Sophia during the celebration. “Shh, no, it’s going to be alright, you didn’t ruin it. But you still disobeyed what Pinoe said, little one.”

AT's anxiety heightened. "O-oh...um...and that's bad."

"It was naughty." Lindsey gave Alyssa's shoulder a gentle squeeze. "And what happens when you're naughty, Alyssa?"

AT wilted. "Lindsey I don't want it."

"Come on little one. We'll make it quick," Lindsey coaxed AT, who sniffled and nodded reluctantly. She followed Lindsey back down the tunnel, and let out a soft whine as Lindsey fished Alyssa's leather paddle out of the teen's sports bag.

"Lindsey, I--"

"Shh, come here sweetheart." Lindsey held out her other hand to AT, who returned to her embrace. "Two with this as you are, or six with my hand, but your shorts come down." 

"N-not really hard though?" AT whispered, and Lindsey shook her head.

"Not terrible, sweetie, you were only a little bit naughty after all. This is more for the sake of convenience than anything." 

AT sniffled. "Okay, Lindsey," she whispered. "I can be good for you."

"Alright Alyssa," Lindsey said. She seated herself on the bench, and tugged Alyssa down over her lap without moving her clothes. "We'll make this quick, just hold on to me." 

AT clutched Lindsey's leg and tried not to tense, yelping as the paddle smacked down lightly once on each cheek, just sharply enough to impart a mild sting through her shorts and panties. Then she was sitting up in Lindsey's lap, being cuddled close.

"S-sorry, sorry I was bad for Pinoe," Alyssa sniffled, as Lindsey wiped her tears. 

"I know, honey. There you go, all done, my brave girl," Lindsey soothed, giving AT some water to sip and a packet of gummybears, a favorite snack for hydration breaks. "It's all forgiven."

AT curled up against Lindsey's shoulder as she slowly settled down, sipping the water and eating gummybears, letting Lindsey's voice wash over her.  "Gonna try to be good forever, Lindsey."

"I know you'll give it your best shot, sweetie. I believe you," Lindsey said, ruffling AT's hair gently. "Ready to go back out now?"

Slowly, AT nodded.

She resumed her place on the bench, accepting a hug in forgiveness from Megan. “M’sorry I was bad, Pinoe,” she whispered, and Megan shook her head.

“You weren’t bad kiddo. You were a little bit naughty, and it’s forgiven. Just settle, it’s okay, just watch and learn.”

AT nodded. The Vietnamese made a substitution just then, and it helped AT a little to see that her fellow teenager looked about as restless as she felt. Neither of them had been put in yet. 

Ten minutes later, play came to a halt as the ref’s whistle screeched over the field.

Captain Lindsey Horan was called out on a high challenge against Nguyen Thi Bích Thùy, a Vietnamese midfielder, and the yellow card flashed out.

To say Alyssa was stunned was putting it mildly. She couldn’t imagine how Lindsey must be feeling.

“Who’s gonna take care of Lindsey, Pinoe?” she asked worriedly, and Megan shook her head.

“We’ll figure it out, kiddo. Don’t worry about it, okay? I promise you Lindsey’s gonna be alright.”

Five minutes later, at the hour mark, the USWNT made a double substitution. Rose Lavelle and Megan Rapinoe on, Savannah DeMelo and Alex Morgan off. This meant that Pinoe had to let go of AT, but she wasn’t alone for long.

She scrambled into her Tia Alex’s lap, clinging tight. “Lindsey’s in trouble.”

“I know, mijita. We’ve got it,” Alex promised firmly. “Don’t worry about her. Worry about you.” She squeezed AT’s knee gently. “Fifteen minutes or so and it’ll be your turn.”

Alyssa’s eyes widened, and she swallowed nervously. Still, she knew she could do this. She was prepared, AT reminded herself as she went to warm up. She’d been preparing for this. 

She kept her focus on her warm-ups, and didn’t see the changes the Vietnamese team made.

In the seventy-sixth minute, the fateful moment had come.

Trinity Rodman off, Alyssa Thompson on.

She raced on the pitch, barely seeing the yellow card that was whistled for (though she heard it) as a Vietnamese player was called foul.

Sophia Smith won the ball in the penalty area, crossing it to Lindsey, who kicked it perfectly past the keeper without missing a beat.

Goal.

3-0.

AT joined in the celebration this time, shrieking and jumping on Lindsey. She wondered if scoring meant that Lindsey would be in less trouble - with who, anyway? Tia Alex, AT supposed, that seemed likely enough. Surely Tia Alex could appreciate such a beautiful goal. But on the other hand, trouble was trouble.

The question occupied her for the rest of the match - she barely noticed Kelley and Sofia coming on for Crystal and Foxy, as the minutes ticked down. Vietnam made one more sub, too, though it didn’t make any difference.

And, AT thought (somewhat nonsensically feeling guilty), their last sub hadn’t been her new friend. Vũ Thị Hoa had spent the whole entire match on the bench.

At least Alyssa had seen about twenty minutes of playing time. That was more than the other teen had.

When the final whistle sounded on a 3-0 victory for the US (nowhere near the 13-0 steamrollering of Thailand from last time, that had been sarcastically joked about by the press up till now), AT found herself lingering between the two teams, looking to see what was going to happen.

She timidly approached the Vietnamese girls, looking for Vũ Thị. The older teen was standing off to one side, looking unsure what to do as well. 

“Want to get sorbet when we get back to the hotel?” AT asked her new friend, in order to get their minds off the game. “Maybe Milly can come with us, if Tia Ali says yes. Because they’re leaving for Wellington tomorrow.”

Vũ Thị brightened and nodded. She still wasn’t fully fluent yet, but she’d picked up enough English to comprehend an invitation for ice cream (or sorbet, as the case might be). 

The prospect of the ice cream outing cheered AT considerably. She resolved to ask Captain Lindsey to chaperone, so maybe Lindsey could get sorbet too. She’d probably need it.

As the teams separated to their own dressing rooms, Lindsey went straight to Alex, sighing.

“Don’t tell me. I know I was stupid,” she volunteered with a grimace. “It’s not like I planned it, that just happened, but still, I knew better.”

“That’s right, you did, and I know you know what happens to players who get yellow carded on this team, Lindsey Michelle Horan,” Alex said firmly. “You’re lucky I don’t say something to your Mummy Carli about your carelessness.”

Lindsey winced visibly. “I’m sure she noticed, and she’ll have plenty to say about it herself, especially if Alexi Dumbass gets her started.”

“Don’t make me throw in a soaping on top of it, Linds,” Alex warned, though Lindsey could tell she was trying to suppress a reluctant grin. Neither of the co-captains particularly liked the man or the way he discussed the national team. And Carli had to sit next to him! Ew.

“Sorry,” Lindsey sighed, doing her best to sound repentant. She fetched the team paddle, glad that no one was paying her or Alex any mind at the moment (AT was too distracted by her impending ice cream playdate to be interfering, and everyone else knew better.)

“Shorts down and over my knee, Linds,” Alex ordered, bracing her leg on the bench. 

Reluctantly, Lindsey pulled down her uniform shorts, grateful to keep her white cotton boxer briefs in place, and got in the required position. At least they provided as much coverage as possible, not that--

“Ow!” Lindsey yelped as Alex swatted down with her hand ten times, alternating five to each bottom cheek. “Alex…” she whined indignantly, squirming as the swats were repeated, this time lighter, with the paddle.

Gentle as the smacks were, they were still enough to sting, and Lindsey hissed as half a dozen more swats covered her sit spots. She’d definitely be feeling that.

“Owww, fuck, Alex, I’m sorry,” Lindsey wept as Alex pulled her back to her feet, tugging her shorts back up.

“I know, Linds,” Alex agreed sympathetically, “but it was for a real card, and you’re a Captain, I had to make it count more. Shh, it’s gonna be alright. I heard the girls making plans for ice cream, or sorbet anyway, want to see if they’ll let us join in, or you at least?”

Sniffling, Lindsey nodded. She gave her bottom a careful rub. “You smack harder than Mummy Carli.”

“I do not,” Alex snorted. “But when she was Captain, you weren’t. It makes a difference.”

Sighing, Lindsey nodded. Yes, she supposed it did.

She was going to have to be more careful from now on, if Alex was so willing to keep her in line.

Well, that was in the past, and maybe a problem for future her. For now, they had a win to celebrate, friends to farewell, and kids to supervise. 

Sorbet sounded just about perfect.

So when all was said and done, Alex and Lindsey ended up with Ali, and the three team youngests (Vũ Thị’s coach had been appraised of her whereabouts, though she didn’t, technically speaking, need his permission to spend time with her friends) at the Dairy Freeze for sorbet. Various other members of the national teams staying in and around Auckland were there, too, but their table consisted of the three captains, and three teens.

“I wish you weren’t going away,” AT said pleadingly to Milly and Ali. 

Ali reached over and ruffled AT’s hair. “It’s only to Wellington, pet. You’ll catch us up in a day or two. It’s Vũ Thị we’re really leaving behind, though Milly and I will see her again. You won’t, at least not during the group stage of things. It’s hard to say about after.”

“Oh…” AT turned and hugged the older teen tightly. “But you’re so nice and I want you to stay friends. Please?”

Vũ Thị awkwardly returned the hug, patting Alyssa’s hair gently. “Friends,” she agreed. She wasn’t sure if she’d ever see Alyssa again at the World Cup, though she could hope so. After that…well, who knew, they’d be going back to opposite sides of the Pacific Ocean. Still, that’s what social media was invented for.

“Mine,” AT bounced up, chasing a sudden thought, and bolted from the ice cream shop, heading for the hotel gift shop nearby.

Sighing, Alex followed, rolling her eyes in exasperation.

“What is it, mijita?”

“This.” AT picked up three keychains that were shaped like kiwi birds, except that the fluffy bodies had the logo of the Football Ferns stitched on the belly, and a tag indicating it was from the World Cup. “I need them for me and Vũ Thị and Milly. Please.”

“Alright.” Alex relented and nodded, buying the trinkets for Alyssa, and following her back to the ice cream shop, hoping Alyssa’s sudden outburst hadn’t created a scene.

(It hadn’t. If the ice cream shop’s employee reacted to every little who suddenly chased down a stray thought, especially if they were immediately followed out by a caretaker, he’d never get anything done.)

Alex led AT back to the table, and AT held the keychains out to her friends. “Yours,” she said happily.

Milly giggled, hugging Alyssa in thanks, and clipped the keychain to her sports bag immediately. Vũ Thị did the same, and hugged Alyssa in turn.

“Thank you, little one.” She spoke haltingly but clearly, and AT beamed at Vũ Thị.

“You’re welcome!”

The girls finished their treats, and hugged again.

It was time to go up to their separate hotel rooms, and they didn’t really want to let go of each other. But they would be parting ways - at least not for long, in AT and Milly’s case.

Wellington awaited.