Encroachment

“NWSL is set to kickoff today with Star City Warriors facing off their instate rivals Central City Courage.” Stuart said, Blonde older man and former footballer himself turns to Carli Llyod and Julie Foudy. “What do you think about this matchup Julie?” He asks.

“Stu I have to tell you Star City has got this hands down, even with the recent retirement of Alex Danvers due a career ending injury sustained in the championship last year this team is as solid as they come. Now being led by captains Ava Sharpe and Lena Luthor I cant wait to see this game.”

“She’s right Stu, Star City should come out on top but I am looking forward to this new Courage team over the off season they made some big changes in their lineups and I can’t wait to see what who the starters are. And as always you know Lance and Sharpe have always been fun to watch on the pitch, all the way back to youth soccer those two have had a rivalry. And I got to talk to them about that recently.” Carli said as the camera moved in on the screen behind her showing Ava moving to sit in a chair and attach a microphone to her Warriors shirt.

Ava sat and smiled at the people in the room, it was media day and she knew this now like the back of her hand. She would sit down and they would ask her questions about who she is excited to play and what players she wanted to come face to face with. And this year with a potential USWNT camp call up as the Olympics are coming up soon, they may even ask about that.

Camera pans in on Ava who smiles as Carli sits down opposite her and they shake hands briefly as Ava gets touched up by makeup and they adjust lights around her.

“Captain Sharpe.” Carli says and Ava seems to sit a little taller with a smile on her face. “Did Alex leave you and words of wisdom?” She asked and Ava laughed.

“She said don’t screw up my team Sharpe!” Ava said. “Or she would come back and kick my butt.” She added causing Carli to chuckle.

“Well, that sounds like Alex.” Carli replied and Ava relaxed slightly and smiled.

“So this year you have been quoted as saying is going to be the best yet. Care to elaborate?’ She asked.

“Well for me I feel like this is going to be a great year, I feel in the best shape I have ever been in and our team has been doing great during the offseason. We have some great new rookies this year who are just bringing so much energy to the team.” Ava smiled.

“So tell me what teams your looking forward to playing against this year.” Carli asked and Ava had an answer ready.

“Of course I cant wait to play Angel city, and we have Gotham on our schedule this year so that’s exciting because we don’t usually play them in regular season. And the Wave is looking great with a new coach, so I cant wait to see them on the pitch.” Ava finished but she can see Carli tilting her head like she was hoping there was more.

“What about the courage?” Carli asked. “Season opener I mean everyone is pumped to see you guys play this new and improved team coming out of Central City.”

“I saw they had made some changes, but you asked me who I was looking forward to playing not who I was looking forward to beating.” Ava said with a smirk.

“I am sure Sara Lance is going to love that soundbite.” Carli said laughing.

“Sara is a great adversary honestly; we have been duking it out since we were kids. Nothing is going to change about that this season.” Ava said smiling.

“So, Lance V Sharpe is still a thing.” Carli asked looking at Ava who just smiled looking down and then back at Carli.

“If it aint broke don’t fix it.” Ava said calmly, Ava had no idea where this line of questioning was going but she knew she had to watch what came out of her mouth.

“Rumor has it that both of you might be called into U.S. women’s camp this upcoming Olympic season how will that work?” Carli asked and Ava smiled her features staying calm.

“Well then we would be on the same team, so there would be no reason for us to be adversaries. Sara Lance is a damn fine player and I would be honored to play on the same team as her.” Ava replied.

“Playing on the same team as your nemesis could have a new set of issues?” Carli asked but Ava was ready.

“See this is where people don’t seem to understand that we have always been playing to win for our respective teams. We both play to win so that has always been our general way of approaching a game so if we are playing on the same team we have the same goal. And that’s to win so I don’t see what the issue would be.” Ava asked.

“Both yourself and Sara Lance have expressed a general dislike of each other over the years.” Carli said raising her eyebrow.

“Again we have never played on the same team so I am sure we could put aside all of those feelings when we had a common goal.” Ava replied with a smile, she looked over Carli’s shoulder and standing off in the corner Ava caught the small blonde looking at her. Sara Lance was there in the room when a woman approached her and walked away with her.

Sara followed the woman and sat down in front of a large mirror as the woman started to apply makeup to get Sara ready to be interviewed next. She listened to Ava talk about a potential Olympic spot and how it would be amazing to represent her country in the Olympics. Carli seemed to keep asking about potential teammates and seemed to be very interested in how Ava would deal with the dynamic of Sara possibly being on the team.

The interview finally wrapped up and Sara glanced over as Ava walked out of the room followed by a lanky man who was babbling in her ear about something. Sara looked up at the makeup artist whose eyes had followed the tall woman as she left the room. When she looked back to Sara who had a smirk on her face. Sara was sure the woman found the taller blonde attractive because of course most women did. Sara was sure Ava didn’t hurt on that front, Sara however seemed to be more known as a player in the league.

She took her seat adjusting slightly as Carli took her seat in front of the smaller blonde. Once the makeup artist was done with touchup’s and the lighting was adjusted Carli jumped right into the interview. She asked about the Olympics; they talked about the new lineup for the Courage and of course she couldn’t help but ask about playing on the Olympic team with Ava Sharpe.

“Ava is a beast on the backline any team would be happy to have her and Nora as their backline. I have played against them for ages and the chemistry they have is undeniable and if that happens well, I look forward to watching players like Marta and Sam Kerr trying to break through that wall.” Sara said with a chuckle.

“So you aren’t concerned about playing with your on field rival of nearly fifteen years?” Carli asked and Sara shook her head.

“Not at all.” Sara replied.

When the interview was over Sara stood up and walked out into the waiting room where Laurel was with a huge smile on her face. Sara shook her head knowing what Laurel was thinking. She had been friends with Ava for years and Sara never understood it, but she had always told her that Ava was more like her than she thought.

“You’re not worried about playing on the same team as Ava?” Laurel said sarcastically following her sister in a long hallway.

“Eavesdrop much?” Sara asked and Laurel laughed.

“It was literally playing on a screen in the room I was in.” Laurel said throwing her arm over the shoulder of her little sister. “What gives, I thought you were all Sharpe is an evil cunt.” Laurel says with a low voice trying to get a rise from her sister.

“I don’t sound like that?” Sara said looking at her with a raised eyebrow.

“So, you admit to saying it.” Laurel chuckles.

“I’m sure at some point I was pissed enough at her to say it. TO YOU.” Sara added quickly. “Shit, I am not about to say it to the press.” She rolled her eyes and pushed open the door at the end of the hallway and was hit with sun as they sisters walked towards a waiting SUV. “Now come on we are meeting Thea in an hour.” She added as the driver opened the back door to the SUV.