Venus Vs Mars

Chapter 57

Massy began to look worried, she frowned at Mike tilting her head to the side. "What's going on?" She demanded.

Michael looked up from the weight lifting bench in their direction. "Should I step outside?" He asked due to the very serious tone of voice her agent had with her assuming this was a private issue he didn't want to awkwardly be sitting there.

"No, no you're fine man..." He looked at Michael assuring him he was ok to be there while he broke the news to Massy. "Sweden wants you to apologize."

"FOR WHAT!?" Massy yelled, her arms out on either side.

"Unsportsmanlike conduct." Mike paused, his own anger beginning to surface. "They said your taunting of the crowd and players after the goal you scored was not in good sportsmanship and ultimately giving soccer a bad look."

Massy stepped back, her face now also unreadable. "And if I don't?" She asked assuming there was an ultimatum.

"And if you don't, they want you suspended for a game." He said looking at her very seriously, the wrinkles in his forehead creased as he frowned.

"THIS IS BULLSHIT! We all celebrated! That's what you do after a damn good play!" Massy's voice raised as she spoke to Mike.

"Massy, this has just turned into a race thing."

"Obviously! Oh, it's ok if Sweden loses to the white girls on the team, but as soon as the black girl scores a goal we got a problem!" Massy paused closing her eyes and pinching the brim of her nose in between her thumb and index finger. "No. No. You can tell Sweden and their fans they can kiss my black ass, cuz I'm not apologizing!" Massy walked out the weight room leaving her agent and Michael in there together.

Once again Kobe's words were reflected, Massy was being tested and not in a good way. This was one of those moments of what she would and wouldn't tolerate from anyone. As she continued to train and work on her groin injury, the apology Sweden wanted would turn into a full-blown nationwide issue.

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"Sweden vs Massy Arias, depending that she apologize for 'taunting' fans and the team after celebrating a goal."

"This is something that athletes of color deal with on a regular basis, Richard Sherman, and just as recently as Cam Newton dealing with it during the Super Bowl, this is something that's not new." Jemele Hill is an ESPN.com's Page 2 and former host of ESPN's First Take said as she sat in between Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith. "This isn't a new topic, this happens all the time, but it's not brought up because the athletes are simply told to apologize and get on with their career, and in Massy's situation she taking a stand and saying I'm not going to apologize for my greatness, so take your loss like any other team and move on." She said about Massy defending her in confidence.

As the topic was pushed fans took to Twitter and every other social outlet to voice their opinion, majority of fans standing with Massy, agreeing she shouldn't apologize, while a select few not liking her celebrating after making goals. In the middle of chaos Massy was cleared of her injury, still being cognizant she practice normally to see how far she could push herself.

Bored Of Directors President Sunil K. Gulati and Executive Vice President Mike Edwards for USA Soccer stood side by side behind a podium in front of a room full of media and press. Athlete Representatives Jeff Agoos, Chris Ahrens, and Cindy Cone sitting behind them joined by Team USA's Head Coach Jill Ellis.

"Upon reviewing the footage of USA vs Sweden, we as a whole have come to the decision that Massy Oliva Arias, Forward for Team USA will not be required to apologize to Sweden for any possible taunting or unsportsmanlike conduct against them, nor will she be required to sit out any further matches upon her return from a groin injury. Sunil K. Gulati spoke as cameras flashed and recorders caught his every word.

"She's the most competitive person I've worked with, mentally and physically. She's been through a lot. When it's harder for her is when she's better."  Head coach Jill Ellis then went on to say about Massy.

As the team geared up for Canada, the girls walked out on the filed, a San Diego stadium full of soccer fans, USA soccer fans to see their team and Massy back home. Hand in hand showing not just Massy but the world that they stood behind her decision to not apologize, showing that they stood behind her during the whole Sweden situation.

Unfortunately, Massy's wish for an undefeated season would end with a 3-2 loss to Canada, with a record of 11-1. Team USA would not enter the World Cup undefeated. Both Brazil men and women were the only teams that remained with a perfect season. With their final match against Brazil before the World Cup games began. Massy's main focus was beating them, there was no if's, and's, or buts.