The Inglewood Youth SC locker room felt smaller than usual. The air was thick with the smell of cheap liniment, damp grass, and the nervous sweat of twenty-two teenagers. Alex stood in front of the cracked mirror, slowly pulling on the faded red-and-white jersey. The fabric stretched across his newly defined shoulders and chest, hugging the body the Body Enhancement Elixirs had given him. He rolled his shoulders once, feeling the power humming quietly beneath his skin.
Coach Ramirez paced the narrow space like a caged lion, clipboard in one hand, whistle dangling from his neck. His voice echoed off the concrete walls.
"Listen up, boys! Today is not just another friendly. We are facing LA Galaxy Youth Reserves — the same kids who train with the first team every single week. They press high, they switch play fast, and they've been drilled in that Donovan-style attacking football. Miguel, you and Jamal own the center. Tyler, stay high and look for the runs in behind. Jamal, no stupid fouls — stay disciplined. And Rivera…"
Coach stopped right in front of Alex, eyes locked on him.
"Whatever the hell clicked for you in training two days ago, you keep doing it today. The scouts are in the stands. This is your moment, kid. Show them who you really are."
Miguel Torres, the stocky central midfielder and team captain, slapped Alex on the back hard enough to sting. "You were a different animal in training, Ace. Keep feeding me those balls and we'll tear them apart."
Tyler Brooks, the lanky striker with quick feet, grinned wide. "Just get me one clean ball over the top. I'll finish it, I swear."
Jamal Washington, the tall, no-nonsense defender, nodded seriously. "I've got your back if they counter. You do your thing up front and I'll clean up behind."
Alex nodded, keeping his expression calm and focused. Inside his head, the blue system screen hovered silently, visible only to him.
[Daily Task Active]
Score or create at least 1 goal/assist in today's friendly.
Reward: 400 EXP + Random Mid-Grade Skill Card
He already knew exactly how the Galaxy Reserves would play — high press from the front, quick switches to the wings, solid back four that stepped up aggressively. He had watched enough footage in his old life to see every weakness. Today they would meet a completely different opponent.
The team jogged out of the locker room and onto the patchy pitch behind the community center. The small crowd along the touchline had grown — parents, high-school kids, a few curious scouts with notebooks, and one familiar face in the front row wearing his old training hoodie.
Emma. She caught his eye and gave him a secret, knowing smile. Alex returned a small, calm nod. Their private celebration stayed completely private. No one could ever know.
The referee blew the whistle for kick-off.
First Half
0' – Inglewood had the ball. Alex played it short to Miguel Torres in midfield. The Galaxy Reserves pressed high immediately, their front two closing fast.
3' – Alex dropped deep to receive the ball from the left back. The moment it touched his foot, "God's First Touch" activated. The ball stuck perfectly. He took one silky control, dropped his shoulder to fake left, then exploded right, leaving the closing Galaxy midfielder on his heels. He played a crisp 35-yard diagonal pass that split their midfield and found Tyler Brooks making a run down the right channel.
The small crowd murmured in surprise. Coach Ramirez shouted from the sideline, "That's the touch! Keep it going, Ace!"
7' – Galaxy Reserves won the ball back and launched a quick counter down their right wing. Their speedy winger broke forward and whipped in a dangerous low cross. Jamal Washington slid in perfectly, blocking it. The ball rolled loose. Alex was first to it, controlled it with one perfect touch, and immediately launched a counter-attack with a long, lofted pass over the top toward Tyler.
The sideline commentator (a local dad with a microphone) was already hyped. "Rivera with the vision early! Inglewood looking very sharp today!"
12' – The opening goal. Alex received the ball on the halfway line. One perfect first touch to set himself, then he surged forward. He beat the first closing defender with a sharp change of pace, then left the second defender on the grass with a quick roulette turn that drew a collective gasp from the crowd. The Galaxy keeper rushed out to close the angle. Alex chipped the ball delicately over his head. It bounced once and rolled gently into the empty net.
1–0 Inglewood Youth SC
The home crowd erupted. Emma jumped up screaming his name. Coach Ramirez punched the air so hard his clipboard flew. The Galaxy Reserves players looked at each other in shock.
The commentator's voice cracked over the PA system. "Beautiful chip from Rivera! 1-0 to Inglewood! The kid from Inglewood is playing like a man among boys!"
15' – Galaxy Reserves pushed back hard, trying to regain control. Their left winger broke down the flank and sent in a dangerous cross. Jamal won the header cleanly. Alex collected the loose ball, played a quick one-two with Miguel Torres, then slid a perfectly weighted through-ball into the channel for Tyler Brooks. Tyler took it in stride and finished low past the diving keeper.
2–0
The crowd was on its feet now, chanting "Ace! Ace! Ace!" Emma was waving his hoodie like a flag, her face glowing with pride.
22' – The Galaxy Reserves tried to play out from the back. Alex pressed high with Miguel, won the ball in their half, and immediately played a no-look pass that split their defense. Tyler was through again, but his shot was well saved by the keeper.
The commentator shouted, "Rivera with the press and the vision again! Inglewood are dominating every phase of the game!"
28' – A tense moment. Galaxy Reserves won a corner. Their tall center-back rose highest, but Alex out-jumped him and headed the ball clear with authority. He landed running, beat two players in midfield with quick changes of direction, and launched another counter. The crowd roared as he carried the ball forward.
32' – Alex received the ball on the right touchline. Two Galaxy defenders closed in fast. He took one perfect touch to set himself, then unleashed a 30-yard curling shot that bent around both defenders and crashed against the inside of the post before bouncing out. The entire crowd groaned in disbelief.
The commentator yelled, "Unbelievable strike from Rivera! That was inches away from 3-0! This kid is on another level today!"
38' – Final big chance of the half. Alex won the ball in midfield, beat three Galaxy players in a mazy solo run that left defenders trailing, then squared it perfectly across the box for Tyler Brooks to tap in.
3–0
The referee blew the whistle for half-time. Inglewood Youth SC walked off the pitch leading 3–0 against the much stronger LA Galaxy Youth Reserves.
The small crowd was on its feet, chanting Alex's name. Coach Ramirez grabbed him the second they reached the locker room. "Rivera… I don't know what happened to you this week, but keep doing it. You just made those Galaxy kids look like amateurs. The scouts are taking notes like crazy."
Miguel Torres high-fived him. "Those passes and runs were insane, Ace. You're carrying us."
Tyler Brooks was grinning ear to ear. "Three-nil and it's all because of you. Keep feeding me, man."
Alex kept his face calm, breathing steady. No one could ever know about the blue screen.
He had dominated the first half exactly as planned. The second half was coming, and the real climb had officially begun.