"What a lovely crowd in Strasbourg today, where the stadium is colored with the French flag. For a reminder, the French team beat England in a sold-out stadium in Nice, before flying in Strasbourg to face their long-time number one opponents. Last time those two teams meet was in June last year, as France was going home with the Algavre Cup trophy. The USA are ready to take their revenge." Heather said, smiling. "Today, since Karina couldn't be there, I decided to call a very good friend of mine here. Ladies and gentlemen, the one, the only, Carli 'hat trick' Lloyd is here !"

The brunette hugged her friend before sitting on the chair. The small crowd that was on the studio cheered loudly, as Carli was smiling at Heather. The two girls had seen each other recently, even though the former midfielder had a really busy life. Her and Hope welcomed the young Gordon Lloyd-Solo in the family only few months ago, and now their two-year-old son was a real star already.

Heather smiled at her friend.

"So, let's go through the starting XI for tonight !" she exclaimed, winking at Carli. The brunette laughed and theatrically let her begin. "Alyssa Naeher will start in goal tonight, assuring the team a really solid back line. Johnston is here as well, directing the back line. Since O'Hara got hurt during training the other day, Mark has to start Sonnett, Rys and Marovic to replace her and Roccaro. Cari was injured during the game against Brazil, but Mark said it only was precautionary measures. So a very strong, yet young back line for the USA today."

"Absolutely" Carli said, smiling. "I must say Julie is doing a tremendous job here, and we can trust in Alyssa. But what is the most astonishing here probably is how Maura Rys has stepped up for this team. When Becky told be that kid was the new her, I just looked at her and was like 'nah, don't talk rubbish'. Well, I guess I was wrong." she joked, which made people laugh. "Sonnett, on the other hand, has been more quiet. Mark likes to change the lineups, so she isn't starting that often, but I know we can count on her."

Heather nodded. The rest of the roster appeared to their screens, so Heather immediately went on :

"Then, a very strong midfield with Heath, Long, Horan and Ohai. I need to mention Morgan Brian's absence, due to a red card last game, that she got when Roccaro was brought to the ground. She stepped on the field and earned a useless card. I hope it won't affect the team that much" she commented, frowning. "Anyway, the two players Mark decided to push forward today are Press and Dunn. Nothing much to say than... Go USA !"

"I think Mark Parsons is doing a very good job in making each and every player valuable for the team. He knows he's got some great talent in here, and doesn't hesitate much before letting everyone play, even for big games like this one." Carli said.

"Let's see where it goes."

Moe sat down on the stands, nervously looking at her team stepping on the field after the National Anthem. Kelley was sitting on her right, while Cari was peacefully looking at the screen on her left. When the whistle blew, she took Cari's hand on hers. She felt guilty, that was for sure. But when she felt Cari's soft hand on hers, she just forgot about it. Cari threw a surprised look at her, but she didn't return it.

She focused on the game.

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78th minute. Still 0-0. The French chants were resonating in the stadium, pushing the French players forward.

Allie knew they were about to be scored on. She felt it in the way they were playing for twenty minutes now. She exchanged a worried look with Tobin, and knew her Harry was thinking the exact same thing. She slowly nodded her head, and ran towards the center of the field, where Lindsey was battling for a ball. She won possession, but was pushed from behind and lost it again.

On the back line, Julie was yelling at the defenders. She felt the decreased motivation and fierce the three other girls were showing. They had had a tough game, and neither of them could be subbed out since the remaining two defenders were on the bench. Julie loudly clapped her hands together, spreading the last bit of energy she had. They had been dominated the whole game, and only came up with few opportunities on goal. Sonnett made a small sign at Julie, who nodded her head.

Having enough of this domination, Tobin aggressively stole the ball from a player, and ran through the attacking midfield with confidence, playing with the whole French back line as they were a high school team. She had Kealia to her left, Lindsey to her right, and Mallory on top. She passed through the defense, and spotted Allie about twenty yards away from the goal. She passed the ball to her. She was totally unmarked, and tried to shoot the ball. Something very weird then happened.

Allie's shot wasn't a straight shot. It began by going on the left of the goal, but then the pace she just put on it made the ball go right and hit the crossbar. The ball was - by some sort of miracle - inside the goal. The crowed was disappointed, but cheered because that goal was a once in a lifetime goal. Tobin rushed into Allie's arms, who was still chocked by the goal she just put. Tobin hugged her tight.

She then began to laugh.

"You're a freaking alien" Tobin let out.

Their teammates were surrounding them, hugging them, tapping on the top of Allie's head. All of them were delighted, but knew they still had fifteen minutes to hold on.

But about two minutes later, France had a takeaway. The dribbled past the defense, and one of the girls took a shot and scored. The stadium was ecstatic, and cheering very loudly. Sonnett, who was on the ground after she got nutmeg, was angry. She felt guilty : she had one job, but couldn't get to the end of it.

Lindsey helped her get up and whispered : "It's okay." Emily ignored her, because she didn't want to have heart eyes toward her in national television. Lindsey frowned and got back to her position. Tobin and her exchanged a quick look, before the older middy just made her a small sign.

There were two minutes of added time in the game. France was maintaining possession for about a minute, when Alyssa came up with a crucial save. The ball then landed on Saskia's feet, and the Serbian decided to run. She didn't know where. But nobody was marking her. She passed the halfway line, and spotted Lindsey making a run next to her. She passed the ball to her : she was on side. Lindsey picked up that ball, and ran the fastest she could. She then made some fancy footwork to go past the defenders, and took a shot from a very difficult angle.

The time seemed to stop, as only Lindsey's heartbeats could be heard. The ball lobbed the keeper and crashed on the net. That was a goal. The winning goal, only ten seconds before the end of the game.

Lindsey ran towards her teammates that were on the bench, and jumped on them. Sydney was the one hugging her, before they both ended up on the ground, surrounding by their teammates, that were jumping on them.

The loudspeakers were on. "GOAL FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICAN BY NUMBER 9, LINDSEY HORAN. GOAL POUR LES ETATS UNIS PAR LE NUMERO 9, LINDSEY HORAN, SURVENU A LA 92EME MINUTE"

On the stands, Moe hugged Kelley and Cari. The three girls were dancing, going nuts, as the French supporters were just looking at them, smiling.

When she got up, Lindsey felt two familiar arms being wrapped around her neck. She immediately knew it was Sonnett. As their teammates were in their moment of 'we won that goddamn game', Emily pecked Lindsey's lips. It only was a very small kiss. Just a second, and then the defender was going back to her position. But Lindsey knew that kiss meant something. She smiled widely, before going back to the midfield.

The final whistle blew, and the whole team rushed on Lindsey and Allie.

Kelley saw the blonde going out of the locker room first. She approached her slowly, making sure to be attractive. She then grabbed Allie's jacket and pulled her closer. She then gave her a smooth kiss, before giggling.

Allie raised her eyebrow. "What was that for ?"

"My beautiful, badass girlfriend scored her first goal in a major tournament" Kelley explained, kissing Allie's lips a second time. "I am so proud of her. That's it."

The middy seemed surprised. "I was so happy about winning that I forgot it was my first goal" she whispered.

"You're too pure for this world" Kelley giggled, giving Allie her soft look she only gave to her.

"I know right ?" Allie said with sarcasm, before wrapping her arms around Kelley. "I love you, you know that right ?"

"I know" the freckled girl whispered.

"Good. Because since you are my girlfriend, you are the one that have to reward me for scoring that goal" she said, seductively raising her eyebrow.

That made Kelley laugh. She kissed Allie a final time, before grabbing her hand and walking toward the team bus.

"In the Group A, the rantings are not surprising at all. As announced in the beginning of the competition, Germany has taken the first place, beating Zimbabwe 9-0. They still have to face Australia, currently on the second position, while Austria and Zimbabwe are both standing on the last position with zero points" the male announcer said, translating what he was hearing from the French television.

Another announcer, a girl this time, looked at the Group B rantings.

"The USA are back in action ! They defeated France 2-1, and are on the first place. They're expected to face England in four days in Marseilles in the emblematic Stade Vélodrome, the English that won their battle against Brazil 1-0 earlier today."

"For Group C, the biggest surprise had been Switzerland's 3-0 win over Spain, and then 4-1 win against New Zealand. They have taken the first position in the group, and will face Iceland this coming Saturday."

"And then, last but certainly not least, Canada and Japan will fight for the first place in three days, as they both beat China and Korea."

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As the darkness was taking over Europe, the USA bus was filled with a pleasant atmosphere : they really were back on track. And nothing seemed to be able to stop them now.

But what they didn't expect the most was two people that were waiting for them in their hotel...