The locker room at Providence Park was buzzing with tension. The away end of the stadium was already packed with traveling Galaxy fans chanting "Ace! Ace! Ace!" even before kick-off. Alex "Ace" Rivera sat on the bench in his white and blue away kit, number 33 glowing under the lights, quietly tying his boots while the team listened to Coach Victor Morales.
"Listen up," Morales said, voice firm. "We are in sixth place. One single point above the playoff line. Portland is right behind us in seventh with a game in hand. Today is not just three points — it is a statement. We need to climb into the Top 4 by the end of the season to secure better playoff seeding and automatic qualification for next year's CONCACAF Champions Cup. Alex, you are our engine now. Show them why the club gave you that contract."
The coach turned to the tactical board and displayed the current Western Conference standings on the big screen:
Western Conference Standings (Current)
Seattle Sounders – 52 points
LAFC – 50 points
Houston Dynamo – 48 points
Minnesota United – 47 points
Real Salt Lake – 46 points
LA Galaxy – 46 points (one point above the playoff line)
Portland Timbers – 45 points (game in hand)
Vancouver Whitecaps – 44 points
Austin FC – 42 points
Colorado Rapids – 41 points
FC Dallas – 40 points
Sporting Kansas City – 38 points
San Jose Earthquakes – 36 points
St. Louis City SC – 34 points
Morales pointed at the sixth and seventh lines. "One point. That's all that separates us from dropping out. We win today, we go level on points with Real Salt Lake and put pressure on everyone above us. Alex — lead the line. The rest of you — fight like your season depends on it. Because it does."
Alex stood up, heart pounding with rebirth fire. This is where legends are made. I died watching others shine. Today I start writing my own story.
The team walked out of the tunnel into the roar of 25,000 fans. The away supporters in the corner were already singing his name. Alex jogged onto the pitch, the grass perfect under the floodlights. Portland's players stared him down — especially their veteran midfielder and star striker — but Alex only smiled.
Kick-off.
1'
Galaxy kicked off. Alex dropped into the No. 10 pocket immediately. He received the ball with God's First Touch, killing it dead under pressure from two Portland midfielders. A quick step-over, then Phantom Shadow Dribble — the after-image froze the first defender. Alex slipped a perfect through-ball into the channel for the winger.
The commentator's voice rose: "Rivera with an early piece of magic! The 15-year-old with the new big contract is already dictating play."
4'
Portland countered. Their striker broke through the halfway line. Alex tracked back 30 yards at full sprint, made a perfectly timed sliding tackle, won the ball cleanly, and immediately launched the counter. The away fans roared "Ace! Ace!"
8'
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 teammate rose highest and headed it goalward. The Portland keeper parried it, but Alex was first to the rebound, smashing a volley into the bottom corner.
1–0 Galaxy
The away end exploded. "Ace! Ace! Ace!" echoed around the stadium.
Teammates mobbed him. Delgado screamed, "That's our leader!"
The commentator shouted: "Rivera opens the scoring! Just eight minutes in and the kid with the record homegrown contract has given Galaxy the lead. From sixth place, they are sending a message!"
12'
Portland pushed back hard. A dangerous cross came in. Alex headed it clear, then immediately started a counter, beating two players with quick changes of direction using Phantom Shadow Dribble. The crowd chanted louder.
18'
Another Portland attack. Their striker was clean through. Alex sprinted back, made a last-ditch block, won the ball, and played a no-look pass that split the entire midfield. The winger took it and crossed low — Alex arrived on the volley and smashed it into the net.
2–0 Galaxy
The stadium was rocking. The away fans were on their feet, chanting his name non-stop.
23'
Portland pulled one back on a quick counter after a Galaxy mistake in midfield. The score became 2–1.
Alex immediately clapped his hands and shouted to the team, "Stay calm! We fight!"
28'
Galaxy won a free-kick 28 yards out. Alex stood over the ball. The away fans rose as one. He took three steps back and whipped his right foot through it — a replica of that iconic Roberto Carlos whip. The ball curled viciously over the wall and dipped into the top corner.
3–1 Galaxy
The commentator lost his mind: "Unbelievable! Another iconic free-kick from Alex Rivera! The 15-year-old is on fire today! Galaxy lead 3-1 and the kid from Inglewood is dragging them up the table!"
35'
Portland threw everything forward. Alex dropped deep, won two crucial tackles, and launched another counter. He received the ball in midfield, used Phantom Shadow Dribble three times in succession to leave three defenders in his wake, then played a perfectly weighted pass into the box. The striker finished low.
4–1 Galaxy
The first half was turning into a masterclass.
42'
One more Portland attack. Alex tracked back again, made a perfectly timed interception, and started the counter himself. He beat the press with quick feet, surged forward, and curled a 25-yard strike into the far corner.
5–1 Galaxy
The away end was delirious. "Ace! Ace! Ace!" rang around Providence Park as the referee blew for half-time.
Half-Time Score: Portland Timbers 1 – 5 LA Galaxy
The commentator summed it up: "An absolutely dominant first half from the LA Galaxy and their young superstar Alex Rivera. Five goals — a hat-trick and two assists from the 15-year-old with the new contract. Galaxy are sending a massive message from sixth place. They are climbing toward that Top 4 spot and the CONCACAF Champions Cup qualification."
In the locker room, Coach Morales was beaming. "That's the standard! Alex, you are a monster. Keep this up and Top 4 is ours."
Alex sat quietly, breathing hard, a small smile on his face as the system notifications flashed in his mind:
[System Notification]
Overall Rating increased: 84 → 87
Dribbling: 94
Free-Kick Accuracy: unlocked new S-Grade "Carlos Whip" variant
Mission "Climb to Top 4" – Progress: Significant boost
The second half was coming. The climb from sixth place had just begun in the most spectacular way possible.