We step out onto the pitch, and our fans feel like the “twelfth man.”I've never heard them so loud in my life, but they’re in full force this afternoon.The sun is high in the sky, which is going to be a nightmare for defenders and keepers.Perfect for me.As a youngster you’re trained to use the elements to your advantage, and I’ve done that ever since.
Across the city, Kyle’s team is kicking off too.In a little over ninety minutes, one of us will be champions of the league.
Kyle
Kick off.Our fans are in exceptional voice, as always.Flags are flying, songs are being chanted, they’re making it feel like hell for the opposition.The ball comes to me, and I lay it off to Jackson who sees the run of Timbers.I weave into the box, expecting a cross from him, which he does.Heart beating in my chest in anticipation, I rise to meet the ball with my head, but I’m clattered out of the way by the goalkeeper.
We press them into making a mistake with the ball, and we’re on the attack again.The sound of the seats returning to their upright position fills the air as the whole ground stands with bated breath as the ball is passed to me, and I’m one on one with the keeper.I fake to shoot, and he goes down, so I dink the ball over the top of his head and desperately outstretched hands.
1–0.
I race off to our fans, sliding on my knees and kiss the badge—the badge that represents my childhood—and a tear threatens to spill from my eyes.The game has only just started.I need to get a hold of my emotions.This is not like me, but events of the past few days have changed me.
AJ
The away fans start cheering, despite nothing happening in the game; it’s a gridlock in midfield.Then they start chanting, “You’re not champions anymore,” which can only mean Union…Kyle has scored.If the purpose of the chant was to put us off our game, it’s done the opposite as it’s only kicked us into another gear.Smith plays the ball out from defense and shifts it to Rodrigo with an exceptional left-footed pass.He then tries his luck from a tight angle, but the keeper is equal to it.
I intercept the pass from the goalkeeper, and pass it to our right winger, Collins.He carries the ball tight to the line.I shout to him as I dart into the crowded box.I use my size to make enough space for myself, chest the ball down, and catch it on the volley.It whistles over the top of the bar, grazing it ever so slightly.I slap my knee in frustration.
The crowd groans in frustration as the time ticks by, now sixty-four minutes have elapsed according to the giant scoreboard in the top right-hand side of the stadium.There’s another cheer from the away supporters, which means Union have scored again.If that’s the case, no matter what happens now, we have lost the league.Fuck.But also…I’m stoked for Kyle.I shift the thoughts out of my mind, and put in a decent tackle to retrieve the ball.
I ping it upfield and then chase onto the pass, nutmegging a defender and smashing my shot at the keeper.He parries it, but only back out to me, and I tap the ball into the back of the net.We celebrate the goal, but we know it’s hollow.
In the eighty-ninth minute, I grab another goal.This time my half-volley is on target and nestles into the bottom left-hand corner.
The final whistle blows, and we have confirmation that Union have won the league.My teammates fall to the ground in frustration, but I can’t help the smile on my face.
Kyle
We’ve done it.We’ve actually done it!The fans are going mad.Some of them have spilled onto the pitch and are hugging us and taking selfies.
A woman runs up to me and plants a kiss on my cheek.She asks me to sign her shirt, holding out a pen.I take it and sign on the back, where my name and number are.“Good choice in shirt,” I tell her.She beams at me.“You’re my favorite player, thank you so much,” she gushes before running off to more of my teammates.
I’m hugged by my manager, the rest of the coaching staff, and my teammates.My two goals have helped us win the league.I can’t believe it.
Fans in the stands are chanting my name and fuck it, there are tears in my eyes.Someone wraps the club scarf around me, and I tie it around my head like a bandana.
We lift the trophy to a huge fireworks spectacle and the adulation of our fans.I’m given the massive silver urn looking thing with massive handles, and I look at it, engraved on the bottom is my club with the year.I soak it all in, kiss the trophy, and hoist it in the air to rapturous cheers and applause.The stadium feels like it’s shaking.I watch as the fans bounce up and down.Hell, I’m bouncing up and down, emotion taking over my normally cool demeanor.
When we finally head back into the changing room I’m still on cloud nine, and the party continues.I take a selfie with the trophy and send it to AJ with the caption:
Kyle
How’s it feel to be boyfriends with a champion?Miss you and can’t wait to consummate the win later.??
AJ??
Proud of you xxx See you later xxx
Kyle
?? ??
I pocket my phone and become present in the moment with my teammates.
“Lads,” our manager says, “We did it!”The normally reserved, well-mannered man grabs a bottle of champagne and shakes it until it explodes with bubbles.We dance around in a circle, and take turns drinking from it.It’s the expensive stuff, but it still tastes wank.I don’t care, though.We sing our club songs and then butcher a rendition ofWe Are the Champions.
“Settle down a minute,” our manager eventually says, and we do instantly.Despite our delirium, we still have the utmost respect for the manager who orchestrated this win.“Now we can celebrate tonight and tomorrow, but the day after, we need to get back to work.We still have the small matter of a European Cup final to win against our rivals.We’ve pipped them at the post here today, but they are going to be out for blood and revenge.It’s time to show them who we are.Time to show them howUnitedwe are,” he says, with passion in his voice and a tear in his eyes.“Now…LET’S CELEBRATE!”We don’t need a second invitation.
