Chapter 23 #2
“Oh yeah, within the next month, for sure.”
“Yeah, so when that happens, we’ll make sure to tag all the socials you gave us and email the links to you and your coach here.”
“Cool. Thanks. And, I guess, if you’re ever looking for a temporary co-host, guest host or something—”
“Keep going like you are, kid, and I think we’ll have a solid friendship in store.”
I smile, letting out a breath, grateful for the validation.
As terrifying as this was, it was also so much fun.
Spending an hour and a half talking about my life, growing up wanting to be a professional footballer, my favorite teams, what glory means to me, joking with them.
Shit, maybe I could be a sports commentator on the side.
If someone needs a guy on the ground next World Cup or Olympics talking footy, I’m here.
Or even an NIL deal from Adidas or Nike. No, Powerade .
“You did good, kid,” Coach tells me, giving my shoulder a slap.
“You sure?”
“I’m sure that you did better than you think.
No one’s expecting an eighteen-year-old to be the best public speaker in the world, but you were effective, I’ll tell you that.
And you’re real. Authentic. That’s what people want most out of athletes.
Someone who’s down-to-earth and hasn’t let the fame get to them. ”
“Still waiting on that fame.”
“Well, when it hits, make sure you stay humble, alright?” His hand comes up to my head and shakes it. “You’re too smart to become the kind of person who makes people regret meeting their heroes.”
“Yeah. I will, Coach.”
I follow him to his office, past blue and green lockers with our names on them, doorways to showers and the ice baths and the medic room, kits and squad photos hanging on the wall.
“Did you see this for me?” I ask. “That I’d be here getting interviewed about my life and football and how this season’s going so far? ”
“Hell no,” he lets out, loudly and sounding both like a tease and like blunt honesty, a bit of that northern México campo accent coming out stronger than usual, like it does whenever he gets excited.
Coach sits at his desk and grabs for a cap in the same school blue as his polo, putting it over his nearly bald head before scratching at the beard that connects to his mustache.
“I’d seen you play a couple games last year with your high school team.
I knew you were good. But it wasn’t until you showed up to our pitch that I saw how much you’re willing to give.
You realize how big of a decision it was for me to say that I want to give you a chance before the keeper that’s in his third year now?
Truthfully, if you’d given anything less than what you’ve done in those first few games, you’d be on the bench, sharing time with Franky when he gets tired.
And I don’t say that to add pressure. I’m saying that you’re making everyone take notice, even me. ”
“So, if my shutout ends, you’re putting him in?”
“I don’t see why I shouldn’t. And that’s not anything against you.
It wouldn’t be punishment. It’d be, you did a great job and, if and when that time comes, you’ll deserve a break.
We’re all seeing you, but you’re part of a team, Pi n a.
A crucial part, and you prove that every time we put you in front of a goalpost. But, nonetheless, you are one of many. ”
“Yeah. That makes sense.”
“Oh,” Coach’s head perks up from his desk and his mouth goes into a smirk. “You serious about what you told them? If the SuperDraft called you up tomorrow with the best offer you could imagine on the table, you’d still stick around here?”
“I promised my parents I’d get a degree. Got to believe that the MLS will still exist in four years and that at least one team will be looking for a keeper.”
“What if I told you I got a call from the guys with the U.S. Men’s National Team? Said they’re interested in bringing you on?”
“I’d say that, after seeing them lose oh-and-three to Sweden a couple days ago, they could use me. But no thanks.”
He laughs, shaking his head, letting out a low “Cabr ó n.”
“And if a better school is on the line?” Coach adds.
“My backup is teaching high school math, Coach. And doing what you do. I could maybe see a benefit if I was trying to get into law school or med school or something like that, but, as far as I know, most school districts aren’t super selective over whether I got my degree from here or from Harvard.
The only way a school would be better is if they’re paying me to go there, and, luckily, my parents aren’t worrying too much about money with me here. ”
“Well I’m happy to hear I’ve got you for the next three seasons.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
“Good.” He picks up his bag and settles it over his shoulder, motioning with his head for me to start walking out.
“And you handling all this alright? You might’ve come to this team thinking you were just going to play some football, and now you’re, well, you’re getting more attention than anyone else on the team right now. ”
Barrera’s angry face flashes in my head. You’re getting way too comfortable, Pi n a. Too confident. Remember your place. That, as good as anyone might tell you you are, it’s always below me.
“If I said I think I’m handling it better than other guys on the squad?”
“Expected and unsurprising. But if it gets to be a problem, you let me know.”
“It won’t.”
“Hmm.” He smiles as he adjusts his cap. “I think I know my upperclassmen a little better than you, Pi n a. I’ve seen them come in as the new guys and work their way up to where we are now.
And how cocky a lot of them have become as this team’s gotten better.
While I’m happy to see someone like Barrera take you under his wing, push you, I know who he is.
And he got to where he is, captaining this team, not only because he’s a good player, but because he was going to fight for that spot ten times harder than anyone else. ”
“Maybe he saw the same thing in me. Someone who’s willing to fight ten times harder than anyone else to show that I belong.”
“That’s probably exactly right, kid. For every good and bad reason, that’s exactly right. You just—if he gets to be a problem, you let me know. It’s my job to keep this team under control. He might be the captain, but I’m the coach.”
I can (mostly) confidently say that we’re still fine. As long as we stay out of each other’s business off the pitch, we’ll stay fine.
For my sake, I need him to stay out of my business.
“And, if it’s any consolation, every year this team plays better and, more than that, the quality of the men who make up this squad gets better.
You and your class, y’all are good boys.
Keep sticking together, keep that brotherhood.
I don’t think I’ll have anything to worry about with y’all in a couple years. ”
“We’re trying, Coach.”
“Good. That’s what I like to hear.”