What can we do to take control during the second half Aiden glances at Enzo We have to look for the pass especially if someone is wide open shot says Enzo says Aiden If you’re talking about me I made a great If it were so great it would have gone in Coach Williams cuts in Sometimes we make decisions during the match and we could have made better ones That’s part of the game The main thing is that we’re looking for the best play all the time He looks to Aiden Keep finding those openings The whistle blows and it’s time for the second half kickoff Aiden is frustrated because the first twenty minutes are a dull defensive passing game from both sides He and Enzo have barely even touched the ball 6
Suddenly Kai makes a tackle at midfield He the ball forward to Aiden who is shoots on the move Pass Pass Enzo calls out to Aiden Now the tables are turned Aiden glances to his right fakes the pass and drives past one defender Ben runs full tilt up the left side Aiden spies a defender running in Ben’s direction That defender has been a nuisance the whole match keeping the left side shut down whenever they play to his side Aiden has to decide Three scenarios race through his mind One Pass to Ben who has struggled all match to find space Two Take the shot himself Three Pass to Enzo who is arrogant and irritating And who has the best shot at scoring As the defender closes in on him the stakes 7
rise Aiden has only hesitated a moment and must now choose within the next second He taps the ball in a perfect line to Enzo’s right foot One touch The ball blazes by the goalie’s outstretched hands into the left corner of the net swirling into the back with a whoosh Enzo pulls his shirt up to celebrate the goal Ben launches himself onto Enzo’s back Aiden knows he’s made the right decision but something inside makes him feel like he regrets it At least a little Kai the team captain comes up from midfield behind Aiden Great pass Thanks says Aiden Same to you Aiden replays the match in his head in class the next morning while his algebra teacher writes formulas on a whiteboard A bird perches on the window sill Aiden glances in its direction 8
