Before the Opening

Social media quickly found the easiest target. #CarterEffect "He came on and the U.S. forgot how to play." "Brooks and Carter have zero chemistry." "Hayes's secret weapon looks like a broken part." No one spoke in the locker room. Brooks threw a towel into his locker, voice low. "If you want to be a tactical genius, learn to communicate with your teammates." Mason was unwrapping his brace tape. His fingers paused. "I made the right choice." "Right?" Brooks gave a cold laugh. "The score was 1-1." "You didn't run where you should have." The locker room went still. Some players looked up. Others looked down. Lucas sat between them and nearly failed to swallow his drink. Brooks stepped forward. "Say that again."