2015
The year started off strong. The first day of the new season felt like a fresh start, an entirely new chapter. The past year had been a grueling battle to get back to the player she once was, but now, she stood at the threshold of something greater. The nagging injuries were mostly behind her. Her body, though not yet perfect, was functioning like it used to. She could feel the difference in her legs when she sprinted, the strength in her tackles, the sharpness in her decision-making. It had taken months of hard work, but it had paid off. She was back . She was stronger .
The pre-season was a blur of high-intensity training, tactical drills, and endless fitness tests, but Kelley loved it. For the first time in a long while, she didn’t just go through the motions. She thrived . The bond with her teammates had only grown stronger.
And to top it all off, she had received a call up for the national team again. Something she hadn’t experienced for a while. And being back with the girls felt amazing. But knowing that there were a large group of them and not everyone would make it in a few months time was scary. Kelley didn’t want to be one of those who didn’t get selected. Everyone was hungry for it. But Kelley was hungrier.
She had always been a team player, but now there was a quiet confidence in her game. She was focused, clear-headed, and ready to lead - just how she used to be back in college. Her performances on the pitch were finally consistent. She was playing like she had something to prove, but not to anyone else. To herself… and maybe Jill and the staff.
Sky Blue had won their first game of the year. Kelley helped with that, and it only made her confidence grow. And as the months slowly went by, switching between her role as a Sky Blue player and as an Uswnt player, she could hope that she had done enough in the short amount of time she had to make sure she was on that plane.
The announcement came on a random Tuesday in April. Kelley was in her apartment in New Jersey, after just arriving home from practise.
And as soon as she stepped foot into her home, she heard her phone start to buzz.
Her heart skipped. And all of the confidence she had built up recently had started to collapse. What if she wasn’t selected? What if it hadn’t been enough?
Kelley threw her duffle on her couch as she tried to find her phone in her pocket, her fingers trembling as she saw who was calling.
Her eyes flicked down at the green and red circles. And before the ringing could end, she answered. The phone call was short and not much was said, except for the part where she had made it.
Her breath caught in her throat, and for a split second, the world around her seemed to disappear. All she could hear was the rush of blood in her ears. She had made the squad. She was going to the World Cup. It was real. She had done it.
Kelley felt the tears start to form, but she quickly wiped them away. She couldn’t let herself break down now, not in this moment. She had earned it. Her battered, worn body had fought back. Her fragile, broken mind had stayed strong enough to get her through the dark days. And now, the reward was finally in her hands.
****
Finally, the day of the World Cup arrived. They had breezed through the group stage, the round of 16 and the quarter finals. And now it was time for the real test. The biggest challenge so far.
Germany.
She wasn’t starting. She didn’t expect to. As much as it hurt, she knew she was still an important part of the group, and her presence mattered. Even if she wasn’t getting a lot of minutes.
They were up 1-0 thanks to a penalty kick taken by Carli Lloyd, but it didn’t mean they were safe. They still had twenty minutes to go. And less than five minutes later, Kelley was brought in for Tobin Heath, adding strength to their defense, alongside Julie, Becky and Kriegs.
Both teams wanted it, and it was shown through Germany’s efforts to try and get the equaliser and the United States constantly defending everywhere. Germany had lost possession, and the United States were pressing hard for a second goal.
And somehow that second goal had come. Because in the 84th minute, the ball was crossed into Germany’s box, and Kelley had managed to be there after making a run. And she met the ball with her foot after jumping in the air, instantly knowing she had scored due to her teammates screaming their lungs off.
Kelley had just scored a goal in the World Cup semi final. The goal that was most likely going to send her country to the final. She couldn’t believe it.
The days leading up to the final were a blur, but full of excitement and pressure. But Kelley wasn’t shaken. She was calm. Her teammates were hyped, but Kelley stayed quiet. She knew she couldn't get her hopes up too much yet.
But when the final match kicked off, it felt like a dream.
The opponent was a familiar one - Japan. Around this time four years ago, their hearts were broken. They had lost, with Japan beating them in 2011. Kelley was there, she didn’t play, but experiencing it all still impacted her. They wanted revenge. They needed revenge.
In the first fifteen minutes, they were already four goals in front, thanks to a hatrick from Carli and a goal from Lauren Holiday. It felt surreal, a dream. No way was this happening, and when Kelley glanced at Jill and the staff a few ties, their expressions were exactly how Kelley felt. But Japan fought back, one goal coming from the first half and another shortly after the whistle began for the second. But it was an own goal, Julie in the centre of it all.
Tobin, less than two minutes later, increased the score. They were up 5-2 and that’s when Jill told Kelley to get and get ready.
She felt violently ill. But she had already proven herself once; now, she wanted to do it again.
Kelley could barely hear the roar of the crowd above the sound of her own heartbeat as she collapsed onto the field, arms outstretched. Moe was the first to approach her, jumping on top and squeezing her in the tightest hug she’s ever had. Then came Ali, and Pinoe, and Alex and Abby. And in no time, every single player had piled on top.
The game was over.
They had done it.
They were World Cup Champions.
****
Kelley likes Moe, she’s a good kid. She probably likes her more because she’s also from Georgia. She also loves to hang out with her too, so when she saw the brunette midfielder sitting in the hotel lobby, looking like she was alone, Kelley started to walk towards her.
They were set to face Brazil in the Victory Tour in Seattle and Orlando, just a few days apart from each other. So they were all set to meet up in Seattle to prepare for the first game.
And somehow Kelley didn’t see the unfamiliar blonde sitting besides Moe, she knew there’d be some fresh faces added to this camp, but she didn’t really know who they were.
“Sup, Moe!” Kelley said with excitement, after not seeing the younger player for a while.
She instantly looked away from the blonde and stood up to pull Kelley into a hug, “Hey, Kell! How are things?”
“Good, what about you?” Moe replied with the same answer. They chatted for a couple minutes and Kelley could see the blonde next to Moe was starting to feel awkward, so she turned her attention to her. Kelley quickly gazed at Moe before looking back at the stranger, still sitting down, almost as if she was waiting for something to happen.
“Uh- Sonnett.” Kelley gave her a look. “E-Emily… Sonnett” she said, sticking out her hand, also going bright red.
Kelley found it hilarious, but she didn’t show it on her face. The girl, Sonnett, was nervous. Of course she’d be. So Kelley could only be nice, it was the right thing to do.
“Kelley… O’Hara.” She also stuck her hand out to shake the blondes, and Moe couldn’t help but let out a little giggle.
“Nice to meet y-you.” Emily said, pulling her hand away.
“Likewise.” Kelley grinned.
“Hey Kell, get over here!” Pinoe shouted from across the lobby, standing in a group with Alex and Becky and some others.
Kelley took one last look at Emily, “See you around… Bye Moe.” Kelley smiled before walking off to her friends.
****
“Who’s that Sonnett girl?” Kelley whisper-shouted as they made their way to the meeting room.
“What Sonnett girl?” Alex whisper-shouted back.
“Y’know the new one.”
“Kell there are a few new ones, you’ll need to be a bit more specific about them, not
describing them as a poem.”
“Poem? No, her name is Sonnett. Last name even, and-“ Kelley looked around and dragged
Alex back, “Look over there!”
She pointed at Emily, who was walking next to Lindsey, Moe and Sam, and they’d just made their way inside.
“Ohh her… Kell, I’ve never seen her in my life.” Alex said, before dragging them back towards the room.
Useless.
Kelley always loved camp, she loved everything about it, From playing the matches, to hanging out with the team, and even the fitness tests. She might even say they’re her favorite (probably because she wins every single time).
But what she didn’t particularly like, was the meetings Jill would arrange. It was boring, and don’t get her wrong, she knows she has to listen, but it’s the same, repetitive stuff over and over. In a few camps time, it would be no surprise if she would be able to memorise everything that Jill says to them.
She had just sat there for the majority of the time picking the skin around her nails, it was a bad habit. Something she’d do when she was utterly and tiresomely bored. But she soon stopped and looked up to pay attention when she heard her coach introduce the new players. She had only caught the names, and Emily was mentioned.
****
Kelley was minding her business, sitting with Ali and Heather, when she noticed the four girls sitting a few yards away from them. She stood up and dismissed herself, walking over and
pulling up a chair in between Moe and Sam.
“Hey kids.” Kelley smiles, causing Lindsey to snort.
“Kelley, hello to you too! Please bear in mind that we are adults, just like you.” Sam said, as
nicely as she could without showing a little bit of annoyance.
“Yeah, Yeah.” Kelley nudged Sam in the shoulder and looked over to the blonde. “…Sonnett, was it?”
Sonnett gulped and nodded, and it took all of Kelley’s willpower to not smirk.
“So what team do you play for?”
She saw how the younger girl winced, “I-I don’t.”
“You don’t play for a team?” Kelley raised her eyebrow.
“No, I do not.” She confirmed.
“Son is still in college.” Moe chimed in.
“You are? How old are you?”
“I’m 22. University of Virginia.”
“Ah I see. Y’all went to the same college then?” She asked, looking between Sonnett and Morgan.
“Sure did!” Moe said with a smile.
“What position are you?”
“Jeez Kell, what is this? 21 questions, or interrogate the new girl?” Lindsey asked.
“It’s hardly interrogating, and I’m just curious.” It was true, she was curious. Very curious in fact. There was something about this Sonnett girl.
“Defender. Usually. But I can play midfield too.”
Versatile. Nice.
“Where do you come from?” Kelley told herself this would be the last question, before she’s starting to agree with Lindsey. And it was a little creepy.
“Georgia.”
Kelley’s eyes widened, “Shut up! No way!”
Emily let out a quiet laugh before smiling, and Kelley had one more thing to say before leaving the table and heading back over to her friends.
“I think me and you are going to get along nicely… See ya, kids!”