Venus Vs Mars

Chapter 55

Massy sat on the plane looking down at the txt message that was sent to her by Kobe, after constantly thinking on it, she typed out a few words in the note app of her phone, she screenshot it then sent it to Kobe, she also typed out a txt, then sent it to him. 

Team USA didn't have a warm welcomed arrival once landing in Sweden, fans booed at them, tossing thing at the bus while traveling. Massy specifically was targeted by Sweden fans. Racial slurs being thrown at her, fans spitting at her direction. This was what Kobe was telling her, not everything is going to be a great, there are going to be times when the world and people test you and this was that time. Massy remained the bigger person and kept to herself, holding all her frustration for the game.

Sweden kept two defenders on Massy at all times shutting her down as soon as she got the ball, Team USA led the first half 2-0, Massy making one of those goals, she celebrated like always back to her regular self. Fellow teammate Abby Whambach making the other goal, also celebrating running around taunting the crowd.

By the second half Sweden managed to score, now at 2-1 Massy's refused to allow them to tie the game. She refused to end her undefeated season to Sweden, but Sweden wasn't playing fare, the cheap shots, the aggressive pushing and pulling at her she found herself sandwiched between two Sweden players as she went for the goal, in a swift movement and a push to her back a knee went into her groin, Massy heard a pop and found herself on the ground screaming in pain.

The stadium went quiet as Massy laid on the field in the fetal position, her team creating a circle around her protecting her as their coach and team physical therapist kneeled down figuring out what happened. Massy covered her face in pain as she rolled back and forth trying to ease the pain on the right side of her groin, tears streaming from her face. The trainer picked Massy up bridal style carrying her off the field into the tunnel.

As the game continued Abby Whambach took the penalty kick, making it and putting them up 3-1. Team USA went on to carry their record defeating Sweden. Leaving them 11-0, upon leaving the game, the remaining USA members refused to shake hands with Sweden due to their treatment of Massy, they all left the field together hand in hand. The two head coaches quickly shaking hands and parting ways. Sweden's head coach apologizing for his teams actions. 

As the team changed and waited in the locker room, Massy laid on one of the medical tables. "Pull up." Rick asked, who was the teams head physical therapist. 

"I can't." Massy's hands still covering her eyes at the pain she was still feeling. "That's as far as I can go." 

"Did you hear a pop?" He asked sounding concerned. 

"Yea." Massy groaned. 

Rick turned to Jill, still in her USA pull over with her name and 'Head Coach' title stitched under it. "It could be a first or second degree, only because she says she heard a pop, I'm not thinking a third degree because she's withstanding the pain right now, but we've got to get back so we can find out." Rick said as he looked down at Massy.

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Massy found herself back on the medical table, this time in the states. Her groin pain not as heavy due to the painkillers given to her. She laid looking up at the ceiling as she got X-rays of the lower half of her body. She hadn't thought this much through, all she knew was she wanted a World Cup and a undefeated season, a injury had never even entered her mind, but there she lay, with a second degree groin injury. Though it could of been worse, it was still a injury. 

Resulting from too much stress on the groin muscles and thigh. If these muscles are tensed too forcefully or too suddenly, they can get over-stretched or torn. Massy being pushed then having a knee driven into her groin as it was flexed and extended was ultimately the cause of her it being stressed. Common in athletes who play sports that require a lot of running and jumping. In particular, sudden jumping or changing direction being the cause. Appear in people who play soccer, football, and basketball. 

"It will repair itself, but you've got to be patient with it. You can't rush it. The longest it could take is six weeks, the shortest it could take is two weeks, but ultimately it's going to be your body that decides when it's ready." Rick explained as he looked at Massy, letting her know it wasn't as bad as it seemed, but a injury is still a injury and they had to treat it like so. Whether it be big or small. 

"The icing needs to be done, compressing the thigh, heat treatment. It's got to be consistent. Because it's only a second degree I'm putting you at three weeks." He continued still looking down at Massy with a very serious face. 

"So that means no Germany." Jill said looking at Massy. 

"No Germany." He repeated after Jill. "You're going to have to sit that one out." 

Massy put both her hands over her face, beginning to cry, Jill leaned down wrapping her arms around her consoling her. Even though her season was still undefeated she'd have to sit out, and that wasn't what she had in mind. After getting Massy as calm as she could Jill broke the news to the rest of the team. They'd have to ultimately win against Germany without her.