Show Time.
Lindenberg had the ball running as fast as he could down the pitch. Everyone rose from their seats as Alexander ran past him. Reynolds, the Express Club CB subbed on at the beginning of the half, held him back. Alexander moved in the same direction as Lindenberg but didn't open up enough space for a pass.
"He's wasting time!" Ian said.
"Alexander is in an offside position," James inquired. "Does he realize that?"
Lindenberg slid past Reynolds after he nutmegged him. He almost tripped as he caught himself. Because of this, Reynolds was back on his tail. An Express Club fullback slid into Lindenberg after sprinting like a track star towards the play. The ball was flung forward toward the Express Club keeper as Alonso, the CDM for Express Club, moved into an open space. He received it from the keeper in the 91st minute.
Whistles screamed throughout the crowd as Alonso received the ball in the Hoboken City half. He turned around, rolling the ball away from a City midfielder, and passed it to Valdo, who immediately tried to launch a shot from 36 yards out. Lindenberg appeared behind him, sliding and deflecting the shot, but it popped up in the air and fell to Hurtado, who smacked it all the way up toward Alexander, who passed it to Ramus, who had already made his way toward the middle of the field. Reynolds put a leg out but missed the ball and tripped over himself. The crowd rose again, screaming as others whistled.
Ramus steamrolled with the ball as another Express Club CB was by his side. The 92nd minute hit as he approached the edge of the box. At this moment, everyone was on the Express Club side of the field. Rasmus tried to shoot but realized it was useless. He moved back to find Robinson navigating his way through Valdo and Alonso. Rasmus gave it to him as he stopped running, causing the two midfielders to overshoot him and the ball. He moved to his right and smacked the ball as it curled in toward the goalkeeper's right side.
Slicing through the air, it flew past many players who tried to get their heads to it. The ball danced in the air as it smacked into the back of the net. This caused the Hoboken City section of the stadium to make an earsplitting shout that saw the whole Hoboken City bench run out onto the field. Robinson went to the Express Club fans, putting his index finger to his lips and smiling as his whole team jumped on top of him.
The waterfront boys were stunned. The build-up play was insane, as was the whole game. All of them watched as both teams played passionately. Not a single fan left the stadium early when the 90-minute mark hit. The game ended 2-1 as the show was finally over. Angry Express Club kids stormed off with their parents. While the City fans walk with glee. Hoboken Terminal was packed as trains left in various directions, entering the tunnel and then splitting ways, one toward Secaucus and the other toward Broad Street.
Ian had recorded a small bit of the game as he sat in the leather seat of the semi-packed Arrow III. The train rumbled as the night sky showed only a few stars. He re-watched a bit of Lindenberg, Alonso, and Valdo's playmaking. He wanted the skills of all three combined into one body.
The phone rang during the video, and an unknown number popped up.
"Hello?" asked Ian.
"Ian?" Klaus asked.
"Yes?" Ian replied.
"Just wanted to confirm this, but we're traveling to Europe for a preseason friendly, and we wanted to know if you're ok with it." Klaus replied.
"Phhh!" Ian gasped loudly. Some passengers on the train looked at him, while others ignored him. He looked embarrassed as he ducked lower into the seat.
"Hellooo?" Klaus said.
"I'm here," Ian said. "But wait, doesn't the season start in a month?"
"Well, yes, 25 days to be exact, but it's for a good cause and will contribute towards the club," Klaus explained.
"I'll have to ask my ma," Ian whispered.
"Why are you whispering?" asked Klaus.
"On the train, but I'll get back to you tonight or tomorrow morning," Ian said. He smiled hugely.
Hanging up the phone, he watched the video of the game over and over again. When he got home he perfected skill moves and head movement in the basement. His mother watching from the steps with a plate of food in her hands.
"Ian, nutritious food makes a strong man!" she exclaimed.
"Yeah," Ian said, rolling the ball under his soles. "So, ma, I have a question to ask."
"Is it about the costs again?" she sighed. "I already said we'd work on it."
"No, not that," Ian said. "So, as you know, I'm on the team."
"Yes," she said.
"And there's supposedly a five-day European trip for a friendly," Ian muttered. "So I was wondering if I could go?"
"Absolutely not," she said. "Did you not forget school?"
"Ahh, come on, ma, there are tutors for the boys my age," Ian begged. "Look, look at what we've got. Even though we're a small club, this is for the team's sake and the community's too."
He showed her a picture of the amenities and how the boys that are still in school, whether it be college or high school, would have a few hours of studying with a tutor.
"Why all of a sudden?" she asked. "Who will help me around the house?"
"It's only a few days, ma; I can get better by doing this," he explained. "This is my make or break; really, this tour will help the team decide on our future."
"Do you have anything coming up for school?" she asked.
"I can grab all my homework and do it there," Ian said. The kitchen light flickered as she stood there, still with a plate in her hand.
"It'll cost money, no?" she asked. "We don't have that much to lend. I still have to buy stuff."
"Calm down, ma. This is already paid for," Ian laughed. "The company helping us will sponsor us, but they want us to also play another sponsored team in Europe."
His mother nodded before moving from the steps. "Oh well, dinner is ready," she said.
After dinner, Ian practiced and watched videos until he went to bed.
In the morning, it was freezing. He bundled up and walked outside. He grabbed his bike and darted off to school. Since the trip would be in two days, today would be a vigorous training session. The air was cold as he breathed in and out. The scarf covered his face as his blue winter jacket scuffled every time he moved.
All he could think about was what he had learned watching the game and watching videos. He pedaled fast to get a workout in as he rolled down a hill and through a path in the woods. He made his way towards the front of the school, where kids were being dropped off and school buses were passing by. With a long yawn, he rolled towards the bike rack, set it up, and walked into the school.
Across the state, James and Klaus wander around Hoboken. Hands in pockets, and mouths covered from the blast of wind that occasionally happened. They walked into a café, where they warmed up.
"How's life?" Klaus asked.
"What a way to start a conversation!" James muttered, blowing air into his hands. "I can't believe I left my gloves on the PATH."
"Well, sucks to suck," Klaus laughed.
"Sucks to suck," James taunted. "Fuck you, dude."
Klaus laughed again as they ordered and received their hot chocolate.
"You wanna know something?" asked James.
"Shoot," replied Klaus.
"If we ever get to the Major League, we'll be so old," James laughed.
"Stop that. No, we won't," Klaus replied. "But we should focus on what's happening now."
"True, true," James said. "When are they supposed to come?"
"In a couple of minutes," Klaus said. "Their train got delayed due to ice on the rails."
"Supposed to snow today, no?" asked James.
"Said so," Klaus replied. He pulled out his phone to check the weather and read a text message.
"Gaffer's almost here?" James asked.
"He's bringing two new players," Klaus replied.
"Look at you; you've joined the crew, and you've already taken on a big role," laughed James. "Shoo, good shit man."
They both laughed as the café attracted more people in the blisteringly cold morning. The atmosphere outside was gray, as snow was soon to fall. Two mysterious players arrived in club apparel, along with the gaffer and staff. One was a newbie with a gift, and the other was someone James knew all too well.