The following Saturday arrived under a clear blue Los Angeles sky. Inglewood Youth SC's patchy pitch behind the community center was busier than usual. Word of the 8–0 thrashing of LA Galaxy Youth Reserves had spread through local football circles. A few more scouts had shown up, along with a reporter from the small Inglewood Gazette and even a stringer from the Los Angeles Times youth sports section. The crowd had doubled — parents, high-school kids, curious locals, and Emma standing front and center in Alex's old training hoodie, her blonde hair tied back in a ponytail.
Alex jogged onto the pitch in the faded red-and-white jersey, heart steady. Today's opponents were the Carson City Youth Academy — a strong side known for their physical style and quick counter-attacks. They lined up in a compact 4-3-3, their players bigger and more experienced than the Galaxy Reserves.
Coach Ramirez gathered the team in a tight huddle before kick-off. "Carson is tough. They press hard and they hit hard. Miguel, Jamal — own the midfield battle. Tyler, stay high and make those runs. Ace — you're the heartbeat today. Link play, create, and attack when you see the gaps. Show them the same fire from last week."
Miguel Torres slapped Alex on the back. "You were a monster last time. Keep feeding us, Ace."
Tyler Brooks grinned. "One clean ball and I'll finish it."
Jamal Washington nodded. "I've got your back. Let's do this."
Alex took his position as the attacking midfielder — the No. 10 role just behind Tyler, with freedom to drop deep, press high, or surge forward. The blue system screen hovered silently at the edge of his vision, 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
The referee blew the whistle. Kick-off.
First Half – Detailed Play-by-Play
0' – Carson City kicked off. Their central midfielder played a short pass to the right winger, who immediately tried to exploit the flank. Jamal Washington stepped up and won the ball cleanly with a firm tackle. The loose ball rolled to Miguel Torres. Miguel played it inside to Alex on the halfway line.
Alex took one perfect first touch with "God's First Touch," the ball sticking to his foot like it was magnetized. He scanned the pitch, dropped his shoulder to fake a pass left, then exploded right, beating the closing Carson midfielder with a quick change of direction. The crowd murmured in approval.
3' – Alex carried the ball forward into the final third. Two Carson defenders closed in fast — their tall center-back and aggressive defensive midfielder. Alex used "Shadow Dribble," a sudden body feint that made the center-back commit the wrong way. He slipped the ball through the gap to Tyler Brooks, who was making a clever run in behind.
Tyler took it in stride but the Carson keeper rushed out and blocked the shot with his legs. The rebound fell to Alex, who had continued his run. He controlled it with one touch, took a quick look at the far post, and curled a shot from twenty-two yards. The ball bent beautifully but the keeper tipped it over the bar for a corner.
The sideline commentator (the same local dad with the microphone) was already excited. "Rivera with the vision and the shot early! Inglewood looking very sharp again!"
7' – Corner for Inglewood. Alex stood over the ball on the right side. He took a short run-up and whipped an inswinging cross toward the near post. Jamal Washington rose highest and headed it goalward. The keeper parried it, but Tyler Brooks was first to the rebound and smashed it into the net from close range.
1–0 Inglewood Youth SC
The home crowd erupted. Emma jumped up screaming Alex's name, waving his hoodie like a flag. Coach Ramirez punched the air. The Carson players looked shocked.
The commentator's voice boomed. "Tyler Brooks finishes the corner! 1-0 to Inglewood! Rivera with the perfect delivery!"
12' – Carson City pushed back hard. Their left winger broke down the flank and sent in a dangerous low cross. Jamal won the header, but the ball fell loose in midfield. Alex was first to it. He took one touch to control, beat the pressing midfielder with a quick roulette turn, and played a no-look pass to Miguel Torres. Miguel laid it back first-time. Alex took a touch and unleashed a powerful 28-yard drive that whistled just wide of the post.
The crowd groaned in disbelief. The commentator shouted, "Unbelievable strike from Rivera! That was inches away from 2-0!"
18' – A physical duel in midfield. Carson's strong central midfielder tried to shoulder-charge Alex off the ball. Alex braced himself, used his enhanced physicality to hold firm, and won the ball cleanly. He spun away, beat two players with sharp changes of direction, then slipped a clever reverse pass into the path of Tyler Brooks. Tyler shot from the edge of the box, but the keeper saved it. Alex was first to the rebound, controlled it perfectly, and fired a low shot into the bottom corner.
2–0
The crowd went wild. "Ace! Ace! Ace!" chants rang out louder than ever. Emma was screaming louder than anyone.
The commentator was nearly screaming. "Rivera with the goal! 2-0 to Inglewood! This kid is on fire today!"
25' – Carson City tried to respond with a counter. Their right winger broke forward and crossed dangerously. Alex tracked back, read the flight of the ball, and won the header cleanly. He landed running, beat three Carson players in a mazy run that left defenders trailing, then played a delicate chip over the defense for Tyler Brooks. Tyler headed it down for Alex, who had continued his run. Alex took one touch and smashed it into the roof of the net from twelve yards.
3–0
The crowd was in full party mode. Parents were standing on chairs. Local scouts were scribbling furiously. The Carson players looked completely demoralized.
The commentator's voice cracked. "Rivera with another brilliant solo run and finish! Three-nil! Inglewood are dominating every phase of the game!"
32' – Alex dropped deeper to help build from the back. He received the ball from Jamal, played a quick one-two with Miguel, then carried it forward again. He beat two defenders with quick feints, then slipped a perfectly timed through-ball into the channel for Tyler. Tyler rounded the keeper but his shot was blocked on the line. Alex was first to the loose ball and tapped it in.
4–0
The half-time whistle blew shortly after. Inglewood Youth SC walked off leading 4–0.
In the locker room, Coach Ramirez was almost speechless. "Rivera… you are playing on another level. Keep it going in the second half. The scouts are loving this."
Miguel Torres high-fived him. "Those passes and runs are insane, Ace."
Tyler Brooks was grinning. "Four-nil and it's all because of you."
Alex kept his face calm. The system remained completely silent and secret.
Second Half
The second half followed the same pattern of dominance, but Alex slowed the tempo slightly, focusing on control and creating chances for his teammates while still threatening himself.
48' – Alex received the ball in midfield, used "Shadow Dribble" to freeze two defenders, then played a no-look pass that put Tyler through. Tyler scored.
5–0
55' – A long-range effort from Alex from thirty yards curled just over the bar.
62' – Another mazy run from Alex, beating four players before laying off for Miguel to score.
6–0
72' – Alex won the ball in his own half, carried it the length of the pitch, and finished with a powerful shot.
7–0
The final whistle blew at 7–0.
The crowd was chanting Alex's name non-stop. Coach Ramirez hugged him. "You just earned a bigger contract talk next week, son."
The local reporter from the Inglewood Gazette approached Alex after the match, notebook in hand. "Alex Rivera, right? That was incredible. Mind if I ask a few questions for tomorrow's paper? 'Local Teen Phenom Destroys Carson City' — how does that sound?"
Alex smiled politely, keeping everything surface-level. "Happy to talk. I'm just working hard and enjoying the game."
Emma waited a little further back, smiling secretly. She mouthed "Later" when their eyes met. Alex felt the first small spark of media attention — and the private celebration that would follow.
The climb was accelerating.