Chapter Two: The One-Pound Club

Lin rose without appealing. On the next play, he intercepted Gary's pass, moved the ball through two opponents with the outside of his boot, and released the reserve striker. Three touches. Oscar's whistle went quiet. The next forty minutes changed. Lin did nothing flashy. He simply put each player somewhere comfortable. When the right-back advanced early, Lin covered him. When a young midfielder forgot to scan, Lin called the pressure. Because Gary turned slowly, Lin pushed the line five yards higher and shortened the recovery run. At the end, nobody had breath to speak. Mud covered Lin's shirt and blood lined his shin. Oscar finally asked, “You truly plan to play here?” “If you select me.” “I don't like an owner on my bench.”