Jessica Smith

Becomes a

Soccer Star

This book was created
especially for

Jessica Ann Smith
at the age of 6


With love from
Mom and Dad

June 12, 2001

Jessica Smith lay asleep in her bed, dreaming about tomorrow's game. The next afternoon would be one of the most important games she had ever played. A scout from America's national team would be in Atlanta watching the game and perhaps select players to represent America in the "6 and under" world championships.

In his office, the scout was busy assessing the strengths and weaknesses of each player. In fact, the team he had already picked was so strong that he didn't think anyone from tomorrow's game would have a chance to make the team.

The next day Jessica was awesome. She dribbled the ball as if it were attached to her feet. Her passes were right on the mark and she scored a beautiful goal to help her team tie the best team in the league. Jessica had noticed the scout watching her, but the scout was stone-faced, and Jessica didn't know what he was thinking.

 Two days later, the scout telephoned her.
"Jessica, would you be interested in playing for America in the "6 and under" world championships?" he asked. "We have a series of practices starting next week and then the games begin."
"Yes!" Jessica said excitedly, nearly dropping the telephone. "I'll be there."

At practice the next week, Jessica met her coach and was introduced to all the other players. Jessica proudly put on the American uniform. She could hardly wait for the championships to begin.
"Imagine," she thought to herself, "I'm playing for America."

After a week of tough practices, the day of the first match finally arrived. In the locker room, the coach was going over the game plan and giving the players their final instructions. Jessica sat very still and quiet. She was so nervous.

When the American team ran onto the field, the roar of the crowd was deafening. Jessica had never been in front of a crowd this large before.
Jessica became even more nervous when she remembered that she would be seen on television for the first time. She wondered if Amy would be watching as she was introduced to the crowd.

Soon the big game was ready to begin. Jessica joined several other players on the bench. Unfortunately, the first half started badly for America as the opposition took the lead early in the game. America was still losing by a goal at half-time.

In the American dressing room you could hear a pin drop. Jessica and the rest of the players were dejected. The silence was finally broken when the coach came into the room. He suggested that a number of players should be playing better. He then went over the game plan for the second half and tried to "pump-up" his troops.

The American team played much better in the second half, but could not get the goal they needed to catch up. The game was very physical and several players were knocked to the ground with hard tackles. America's star goal scorer fell painfully to the ground after a tackle and was unable to continue.
The coach called Jessica over. "Get in there and try to score a goal," he instructed her.

Jessica was not used to competing against such good players. The pace was incredibly quick. As usual, she played hard, and sweat poured down her brow. The sounds of the crowd rang in her ear. Jessica knew that her friends, including Amy, were cheering every move that she made and she did not want to disappoint such good friends.

The first time Jessica got the ball, she managed to side-step a defender and loft the ball into the penalty area. One of her teammates leaped above the other defenders and headed the ball into the corner net. The crowd erupted into cheers. The game was tied.

With only three minutes of time remaining to play, it seemed that the game was certain to go into extra time. Both teams were desperate to find a way to score that winning goal. As time slipped away, the ball came to Jessica near mid-field. She ran up the field with defenders all around her.

Jessica faked as if she were going to kick to the right and then using all the skill she had been taught, she drilled the ball toward the upper left corner of the goal. The crowd was silent and time seemed to stand still. Then, suddenly, the ball was in the net. As the crowd realized that Jessica had just scored the winning goal of the game, they went wild with excitement. Jessica ran with joy, waving her hands high.

All of the American players ran to Jessica, excitedly jumping and shouting. The crowd was cheering loudly: "Jessica!, Jessica!, Jessica!, Jessica!", just as time ran out and the referee blew the final whistle. The American team had won.

That night Jessica could hardly sleep. All she could think about was "The Big Game" and the sounds of the fans cheering. Next week, they would play again. Although it was a long shot, America, with Jessica's help, had a chance to be world champions.
That night Jessica had a dream. She imagined winning the world championship and holding the cup high above her head while the crowd cheered wildly. One time she woke up holding her pillow as if it were a trophy. It wasn't quite the trophy she wanted, but Jessica knew she wasn't far from making her dream come true.

Jessica

Hope you enjoy this book from
Mom and Dad