Chapter 89 : From 0-2 to 4-0 Down
The half-time whistle had blown at 45+2', leaving the score at 0–2.
The locker room was heavy with tension. The players sat on the benches, some with heads in hands, others staring at the floor. The away crowd outside was still roaring, but the sound felt distant and frustrated. Galaxy were trailing badly in an away match they desperately needed points from. They were in 6th place in the Western Conference — just one single point above the playoff cut-off line. The team below them still had a game in hand. A loss tonight would drop them into the danger zone. A draw would keep them alive. A win would be a miracle. The pressure was enormous.
Coach Victor Morales stood in the centre of the room, his voice calm but firm.
"We're 0–2 down. We knew this was going to be a fight. The table doesn't lie — we're in sixth place, one point above the line. We're barely surviving, but we're still in the fight. The second half is ours. We push higher. We press their midfield harder. We take more risks in the final third. We need creativity. We need fight. Rivera — you're starting the second half with the same fire you showed in training. Create. Unlock them. The team needs you."
Alex sat quietly, listening, his mind already focused on the second half. He had started the game, but the team was struggling. He felt the responsibility on his shoulders. He was number 33. He was the one who had come on late in the previous match and turned the game around. Now he was starting, and the team needed him from the first minute of the second half.
The players stood up, slapped each other on the back, and filed out of the locker room. The roar of the away crowd hit them again as they walked down the tunnel. Alex jogged out onto the pitch, the floodlights burning bright, the grass looking perfect under the lights. The home crowd was loud and hostile, but the away fans in the corner were chanting for a comeback.
The second half kicked off.
46'
Galaxy kicked off with renewed urgency. Alex dropped deep into the No. 10 pocket, calling for the ball immediately. Delgado played a sharp pass to him. Alex received it with God's First Touch, killing the ball dead under pressure from two visiting midfielders. He performed a quick step-over, shifted the ball to his left, and used Phantom Shadow Dribble to create half a yard of space. He slipped a weighted through-ball into the channel for the winger. The cross came in low, but the visiting defender cleared it for a throw-in.
The crowd roared in approval for the young No. 33's first touch of the half.
The commentator's voice rose over the speakers:
"Second half underway and Galaxy are already looking more positive. Number 33, Alex Rivera, is starting and immediately involved. The team is 0-2 down but they're fighting for their lives in sixth place — one point above the playoff line. They need a result tonight."
48'
The visitors countered quickly. A long ball over the top forced the Galaxy defence to turn and sprint. The striker took a touch and shot from the edge of the box. The keeper got down brilliantly to save it, but the rebound fell loose. A visiting midfielder arrived and smashed it into the net.
0–3
The home crowd erupted. The away fans groaned loudly. Alex clenched his jaw and immediately called for the ball to restart.
50'
The visitors scored again on another quick counter. Galaxy were caught out of shape once more. The score became 0–4.
The stadium noise grew louder. The away fans were frustrated and shocked. The home supporters were celebrating wildly. Alex stood in the centre circle, breathing hard, looking at the scoreboard.
4-0 down. This is the real test. The team is barely surviving in sixth place. They need me now more than ever.
He turned to his teammates, voice calm and strong despite the deficit.
"Stay calm," Alex said loudly, looking at Delgado and the rest of the team. "We're not done. We fight. One goal at a time. I'm here. We can do this."
The team responded with nods and renewed focus. Alex's words had a calming effect.
52'
Galaxy pushed forward with more urgency. Alex received the ball in the No. 10 pocket. Three defenders closed him down. He performed a series of quick body feints, shifting his shoulders left then right, then triggered Phantom Shadow Dribble twice in succession. The after-images left two defenders completely wrong-footed. He burst into the box and squared a dangerous low cross. The striker stretched but couldn't quite reach it. The ball rolled just wide.
The stadium erupted in a massive groan followed by loud applause. The commentator shouted:
"Rivera with a brilliant piece of skill! That dribble from number 33 created the chance. The kid is already fighting back despite the 0-4 scoreline."
54'
The visitors almost made it 0–5 on the counter. A quick through-ball split the defence. The striker was clean through. Alex tracked back 40 yards at full sprint, made a perfectly timed sliding tackle, won the ball cleanly, and immediately launched the counter-attack. The crowd cheered loudly for the young starter who was already putting his body on the line.
56'
Galaxy won a corner. Alex stood over the ball, eyes scanning the box. He delivered a dangerous inswinger with the outside of his right foot. A centre-back rose highest and headed it goalward. The keeper tipped it onto the bar. The rebound fell to a Galaxy midfielder who blasted it over the bar. The crowd roared, then fell into frustrated murmuring.
Alex kept moving, calling for the ball, demanding involvement. He was everywhere — dropping deep to win balls, surging forward to create, organizing the press.
58'
The visitors countered again. A dangerous cross came in. Alex tracked back and headed it clear. He immediately started a counter, beating two players with quick changes of direction. The crowd chanted his name even louder.
60'
Galaxy won another corner. Alex delivered another dangerous ball. This time he sprinted into the box himself. The ball was headed down by a teammate. Alex arrived on the volley and smashed it into the bottom corner with the outside of his right foot.
1–4
The away fans erupted. The chant for Alex grew louder.
"Ace! Ace! Ace!"
He had scored the first goal of the comeback.
Teammates mobbed him. Delgado lifted him off the ground. The away fans kept chanting his name.
The commentator was hoarse: "Rivera pulls one back! From 0-4 down to 1-4! The 15-year-old starter is turning this game on its head!"
62'
The visitors were shell-shocked. They tried to push forward, but Galaxy were energized. Alex dropped deep, won a crucial tackle, and played a no-look pass that split the defence. The striker took it in stride and finished low into the bottom corner.
2–4
The away fans went absolutely wild. The chant for Alex grew even louder.
"Ace! Ace! Ace!"
He had scored the second goal of the comeback.
Teammates piled on him again. The away fans were on their feet, chanting his name for a full minute after the goal.
The commentator was screaming:
"Unbelievable! Alex Rivera has done it again! Second goal! From 0-4 down to 2-4! Number 33 has just given his team a lifeline!"
64'
Galaxy won a free-kick 35 yards out. Alex stood over the ball. The away fans rose to their feet. He took three steps back, planted his left foot, and whipped his right foot through the ball. The ball curled viciously over the wall and dipped into the top corner.
3–4
The stadium exploded again. The chant for Alex became deafening.
"Ace! Ace! Ace! Ace! Ace!"
He had scored the free-kick and now provided the third goal of the comeback.
Teammates piled on him again. The away fans were on their feet, chanting his name for a full minute after the goal.
The commentator was screaming:
"Unbelievable! Alex Rivera has done it again! Free-kick goal! From 0-4 down to 3-4! Number 33 has just given his team a lifeline!"
66'
The visitors were shell-shocked. They tried to push forward, but Galaxy were energized. Alex dropped deep, won a crucial tackle, and played a no-look pass that split the defence. The striker took it in stride and finished low into the bottom corner.
4–4
The away fans went absolutely wild. The chant for Alex grew even louder.
"Ace! Ace! Ace!"
He had scored two goals and provided the assist for the fourth.
The team was now 4–4. The momentum was completely with Galaxy.
The final minutes were pure drama. The visitors were shell-shocked and pushed forward desperately, but Galaxy defended with everything they had. Alex dropped back, won crucial tackles, and kept the ball moving.
The clock ticked into injury time.
90+1'
The referee indicated 4 minutes of added time. The visitors threw one last desperate attack. A dangerous cross came in. Alex tracked back and headed it clear. He immediately started a counter, beating two players with quick changes of direction. The crowd chanted his name even louder.
The match was still alive.