Halftime Team Talk

[This is a pivotal moment in the game. The pressure is immense, and you can feel it in the air,] the lead commentator said.

As Altidore picked himself up, he was greeted by his teammates, their hands on his shoulders in encouragement. He took a deep breath, placed the ball on the spot, and stepped back, his eyes locked on Gabulov.

[Gabulov versus Altidore. This is it. Can AZ Alkmaar level the score right before the break?]

The stadium fell into a tense silence, save for the faint hum of chants from the AZ Alkmaar fans.

Altidore took a long breath, his chest rising and falling as he stepped up to the ball. His eyes never left Gabulov, whose imposing frame seemed even larger as he crouched low, his arms outstretched like a predator ready to pounce.

[This is high-stakes football,] the lead commentator murmured. [Altidore has to get this right. Gabulov has been immense tonight.]