It's April 2026 and today is a big day for me. I'm being honored for my 100th cap today and we are playing Italy in LA. All my friends and family are here which makes today even more special.

"Mama help." Isabella says and holds up her warm up jacket.

"Alright baby come here." I say and pat my lap.

Isabella is the little girl I'm walking out with today which is awesome.

Once Isabella is on my lap she stands on my lap and one hand holds onto my shoulder while I help her slip the other arm into her little jacket then we do the same with the other arm.

"There we go Baby." I say then Isabella pecks my lips.

I put on my warmup jacket then pickup Isabella and walk both of us onto the pitch.

"Woah." Isabella says when she looks around the stadium.

"What's wrong Bella Boo?" I ask.

"You play in front of a lot of people."

"That we do."

"Can I shoot?" Isabella asks so I put her down.

"Sure baby. Go shoot on Aunty Jane." I say and motion to Jane in goal.

Isabella runs and kicks the ball as hard as she can. Jane then makes a dramatic attempt to save it, but the ball goes into the net.

"MAMA I SCORED." Isabella yells and runs over to me. I sit down on the ground and open my arms for Isabella to run to.

"That was so good baby." I say after Isabella crashes into me and we fall back and lay on the ground.

"What are my two favorite girls doing?" Lindsey says with a smile as she comes and squats by us.

"MOMMY I SCORED." Isabella yells.

"Just like your Mama."

"I think we need to change." I say.

The three of us walk back into the changing room where Lindsey and I change into our kits then I help Isabella put on her little jersey with our last name and my number on it.

"How do I look Mama?" Isabella asks.

"Beautiful baby." I say then Isabella pecks mine and Lindsey's lips.

Isabella leaves for the team talk since some people like to use choice words when talking and we don't need her little ears hearing those words.

After the pregame speech is over everyone walks into the tunnel and Lindsey and I do our usual pregame routine then I walk to the front of the line and pick up Isabella.

"You ready Bella Boo?" I ask and Isabella nods.

A couple seconds later we walk out and do the anthems then Lindsey and I step out of line and walk toward the touchline. I hand Isabella to Lindsey then take pictures with some dudes I've never met before then I'm given some stuff. A couple seconds later my family comes and joins me.

"Smile for the camera Isabella."I say then the photographer takes her first picture as my wife, my daughter, and I smile.

The photographer takes pictures of us for a little bit then it's time to start the game.

"Go to Auntie Ashy baby." I say and set Isabella down and she runs to the sideline where Ash is standing.

"SHARKY." Isabella yells her nickname for Ash.

"FISHY." Ash yells her nickname for Isabella which makes me smile.

Ash picks up Isabella then she joins the retired girls and heads up to a private box. Lindsey and I get to our positions.

I've started up top every game since Alex retired after the 2023 World Cup victory tour because she and Servando wanted to start a family.

The whistle blows and we kickoff. The first 15 minutes is us trying to figure out what Italy is doing tactically. In the 16th minute I get a pass from Jaelin Howell in our half and I take off towards goal not even looking for another option. Once I get close to goal I look up at goal and pick my spot then look at the ball and fire the ball into the top corner making it 1-0.

After the ball hits the net I turn around and walk towards the group of girls running at me. Once I get to the group I'm pulled into a bunch of hugs with Lindsey hugging me last. When the hugging stops we walk back towards our side and as we do I look up to the box where Isabella is and blow her a kiss. Isabella pretends to catch it then blows me a kiss back and I catch it then smile at our little girl.

After that goal the game flies by and I don't really remember any of it. We I'm finally aware of what's going on it's now the 85th minute and I'm dribbling towards goal on the left flank and fuck my head is killing me. I look up to try and find a pass, but my vision is blurry and I see black spots.

Oh no.

I pass the ball out of bounds then turn around and try to sprint over to the sideline, but I don't think I made it because the next thing I see and hear is Lindsey.

"Baby what's wrong?" She asks in a panic.

"Ambulance" I mumble.

"It's on the way."

"Are we winning?" I ask.

"Cairo you have 5 out of our 6 goals." Mal says.

"Oh."

"Baby I need you to stay awake."

I try to stay awake, but can't.

The next thing I can clearly see is a tin roof.

"Wh-where am I?" I ask to nobody in particular.

"We're going to the hospital Cairo." A voice that I recognize as Dawn says and I turn to the sound of the voice and see her sitting to the side of me.

I then lose track of where I am again and a little while later I regain focus when I'm in a hospital room alone with a doctor.

"Cairo do you have any idea what could have caused this?" The doctor asks and I nod.

I motion for a pen and paper knowing I can't say it out loud. The doctor hands me his prescription pad and I write down the cause of this and also tell him not to tell anybody. He looks at the note and his eyes widen then he walks out of the room leaving me alone to my thoughts.

I should've told someone.

A nurse comes in and administers drugs in my IV then leaves. The doctor comes in couple minutes later.

"It's a good thing you told us what caused this otherwise this would have been worse..." he says.

"But?" I say then the doctor avoids eye contact with me then he sighs and looks directly at me.

"But I think it may be time to hang up your boots..."