My Goalkeeping System

Dave was playing with a star-studded team, arguably the best team in the world at the moment while Mateo was playing with Unique FC, an average team in Bilbeth Premier League.

Unique FC were currently ranked at number three hundred and fifty-two in the UEFA rankings while Barcelona was ranked second just behind Real Madrid.

Dave had the better team by a far margin but Mateo was dominating him so far, he was bullying him to be precise.

The winger had put one goal into Dave's goalpost just five minutes into the game, video game time and he had done it in the coolest way he could.

A smooth cross from Carlos from the right wing and a wonderful bicycle kick finish from the video game version of himself.

"I haven't really scored a bicycle kick before, but it's nice to see that he can do it which means that I can do it too." The winger said after scoring the goal.

The video game time was showing thirty-eight minutes and still moving fast and so far Dave had been unable to do anything reasonable with all the stars with wonderful stats in his squad, it felt like Mateo knew every single one of his moves and was always there to stop him.

"Why is this so hard compared to the last time I played it?" Dave said with a frustrated look on his face.

"Maybe your skills have gone rusty just like you suspected," Mateo said.

<Or you just never had any skill and Clark was worse than you in the game, he doesn't look like a video game type to me anyway>

'Catherine.' The goalkeeper grumbled inwardly.

His lack of focus for just a few seconds was enough for Mateo to get in a one-on-one situation with Frank Christensen, Barcelona's goalkeeper and who would be with the ball other than the video game version of himself.

"No, no, no," Dave said as he tried to chase him down with his players but it was already too late as he had gotten close enough to the goalkeeper and just before the goalkeeper could attempt to sweep the ball off his feet, he lobbed it over him and into the back of the net.

"That's a splendiferous finish." The commentator from the game said. "They've two goals in the bag now and they'll be looking to seal the game now."

"Woohoo, two goals in the bag," Mateo said with a cheerful voice.

"This can never happen in real life," Dave grumbled with a frustrated look on his face.

"Yeah it can never happen with the team they have currently but who knows it may happen one day in the future in maybe a friendly match," Mateo said.

The game continued and just before the first half concluded, Mateo managed to put two more goals into the back of Dave's goalpost and those two goals were also scored by the same person that scored the first two which meant that all four goals in the first half were scored by the same person.

"I get that you're leagues ahead of me but did you have to score all the goals with yourself?" Dave said as he turned his gaze to the winger. "The Mateo I know is more of a playmaker, he doesn't hug all the goals for himself."

<I don't know losing in a video game affected you as much as losing a real match did>

'Shut up Catherine.'

"Yeah, but didn't you see all those chances I created for Fred, Carlos, and even Minino and they missed it?" Mateo said.

"No, you missed them, you're the one holding the controller," Dave said.

Mateo was quiet for a while before he replied.

"I guess you're right in some sense, I'll try to share in the second half but trust me, you won't like it."

The scoreboard and statistics of the first half were being displayed on the screen and so far in the match, Mateo had managed to keep eighty-one percent of ball possession while Dave had only managed to get nineteen percent of ball possession.

Mateo had played twelve shots with ten of them being on target while Dave had only managed to play three shots and all of them were off target.

<You seriously suck at this game having those kinds of stats with a team like Barcelona>

'You don't always have to state the obvious, Catherine.'

"Before we start the second half," Mateo said before turning his gaze to Dave. "I heard you and Emma are engaged now."

"Yeah," Dave said with a nod.

"That's good news, so when's the wedding coming up?" The winger asked.

"Umm...I don't actually know since I haven't really discussed it with Emma but I want to get it over with before next season so it has to be next month."

"Okay," Mateo said before turning his gaze back to the television.

"Wait," Dave said before he could click the continue to second half option.

"What?"

"My throat's a bit dry." The goalkeeper said.

"If you want something to drink then you're going to go get it yourself, my mom's not back yet," Mateo said. "The fridge is around the corner."

"Okay," Dave said before he slowly got up from the bed. "I'll be back."

The goalkeeper made his way out of the room and to the fridge, he was about to open it when he heard knocks coming from the door.

"That must be Mrs. Smith." He said before quickly making his way to the door and after opening it he could see that it was just as he thought.

"Hello, Mrs. Smith." The goalkeeper said quickly, putting on a smile.

"Dave? Well, this is a surprise." Martha said before quickly making her way to the couch to drop off all the bags she was holding. "Is Emma here with you?"

"No, I came alone," Dave replied.

"Okay, I guess Mateo is in his room."

"Yeah." He said.

"Okay." She said before quickly making her way to Mateo's room.

________ ________

After getting trashed by Mateo in the game nine goals to one, Dave spent a little more time with Mateo and his mother before he decided to start heading home.

"8:30 PM." He muttered after entering his car and checking his watch. "Emma's going to be wondering where I ran off to by now, it's strange she hasn't called me up till now."

<Maybe because she isn't home yet>

"Maybe, I should try calling her then."

He brought out his phone and was about to select her contact when his phone began to vibrate as the word coach was displayed on the screen.

'I wonder why he's calling me now.' The goalkeeper said subconsciously before picking up the call.

"Hello Coach, How's it going?"

"Everything's fine, Dave," Norman said.

"You don't usually call me unless it's something important so, I'm guessing this is important too."

"Yeah, it's something important."

"Okay, what is it?" The goalkeeper asked.

"We talked about transfers in the last board meeting, loan transfers mainly and it turns out a club is interested in getting you on a loan transfer."

"Wait up, did you just say a club wanted me?" Dave asked.

"On a loan transfer, yes."

"Okay, what club is that?"

"Benfica."

"Benfica?" Dave said as the tone of his voice suddenly turned sour.

"Yeah, they put up quite an impressive amount of money to get you, and now the board is considering the deal."

"They're considering it? What did my father say?" Dave asked.

<This isn't good>

"He hasn't made a decision yet but I tried my best to talk him out of it," Norman said. "I just wanted to make sure you were aware of what was going on, I have to go now." He added before ending the call.

Dave was speechless for a while as he allowed his phone to drop into his car seat.

"A move to Benfica." He muttered. "That was never part of my plan."

*****

Hope you enjoyed the chapter?

If we can hit 1000+ privilege unlocks before the end of this month, I'll do five chapters mass release on any day between the 20-25th of January.