The Last Chance

Mason no longer had the explosive power of his youth. His first step was half a beat slow, and his turns were not light. But he was like an old knife with a chipped edge that still knew where to cut. He kept organizing the press, telling the fullback when to tuck inside, reminding the midfield to watch Brooks's second touch. With five minutes left, the score was 2-2. Hayes did not stop it. "Last goal!" The sentence hit the training field like gasoline. Brooks called for the ball. With his back to goal, he leaned into the defender, then suddenly back-heeled it to a midfielder and spun away. The midfielder clipped the pass over the line. Brooks was through. Every camera found him. The reserve goalkeeper rushed out.