"Welcome back to Solider Field in Chicago. I'm Iolaus, alongside former national team player Melosa. We are a few minutes before kickoff for the final international friendly of U.S. vs. old foe China before CONCACAF Olympic qualifiers start next month. So, Melosa, what would you say is the key for each of these teams today?" Iolaus asked turning to his broadcast partner.

"Well, Iolaus, I'd have to say defense for both teams. China's backline has struggled to keep Xena in check before and it's a younger group of players now. And the U.S. is going to have to keep an eye on Lao Ma. We know how good she is one-on-one, so if she gets past Ephiny in the midfield it'll be a test for rest the defense," Melosa replied.

Iolaus nodded and then dramatically paused and exhaled with an uncomfortable expression. "I feel like we have to address the elephant on the pitch. For years, we celebrated these games because of the Xena- Lao Ma match up. With their divorce beginning finalized earlier this week, do you think it will affect the game?"

"I don't," Melosa said confidently shaking her head. "Class is the word that comes to mind throughout the world when thinking about Lao Ma. And Xena's said she isn't nervous. Despite what a certain pundit says, I believe her. She's never been one to cave under pressure."

Iolaus nodded. "And on that, we will be back for kickoff after these messages."

Xena was running through her normal hype up routine as she walked from the locker room to the tunnel. She closed her eyes for a moment and opened them near the back of the tunnel.

"Ah fuck," she uttered under her breath to herself as she spotted the Chinese captain.

A hand landed forcefully on Xena's back. "Don't let her get to you," the young winger reassured her. "We fucking got this."

Xena smirked and shook her head. "Thanks, Varia."

Xena sighed and went to take her spot at the head of the Americans.

"Hello, Xena," Lao Ma said softly as glanced over at the opposing captain.

"Lao Ma," Xena replied with a quick nod.

They stood their tensely and awkwardly for a moment until Lao Ma bowed her head and warmly laughed.

"Is the American media making a huge deal of this?" Lao Ma questioned with a kind smile.

Xena scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Aphrodite's been trying to keep it down, but you know how it is."

"Yes," she answered. Having played domestically in America for a few years and being tied to Xena for longer, she was more than aware of what the coverage could be like. "I saw your Hercules interview."

Xena blushed a bit to her own shock and annoyance. "Yeah?"

Lao Ma peered over at her and smiled. "I thought you did…very well."

She was about to thank her when she was handed the game pennant and they were instructed to move forward.

"Best of luck, Xena," Lao Ma told her.

"You too," Xena called after her. She turned to the utterly starstruck eight-year-old beside her. "Hey kid," Xena said to her as she held out her hand. "I'm Xena."

The girl was not able to bring herself to speak as she walked with Xena into the packed stadium. The American captain ran up and had a perfectly professional exchange with the Chinese captain. They kept it as friendly as possible since they both knew that thousands of eyes were on them, readying to analyze their every move.

"Handled that well, Xena," Athena stated when she reached the bench.

"Have a reason to doubt her, do ya coach?" Minya questioned as she ran toward her center back position.

"Thanks," Xen grumbled as she tossed her water bottle aside and ran onto the field.

Most of the first half went exactly as expected. The frontline of Varia, Xena, and Eve were easily able to weave through the young Chinese defense. In the 12th minute, a long cross from Terries landed perfectly at Varia's feet. She made quick work of the defender and chipped it into the box for Xena, who took one touch and booted it past the diving Chinese keeper.

Xena was not known for her outlandish celebrations but she resigned herself to be more reserved than usual. She accepted Varia's hug and supported her cousin as she jumped onto her back.

Lao Ma had made it deep enough into the American defense to test Amirace in goal twice before Ephiny headed in a corner from Varia to make it 2-0 just before the half.

China came out of the locker room with much more intensity forcing Ephiny to drop back and help out the defenders. Without her, Chilapa and Yakut couldn't manage to get anything through the midfield. In the 70th minute, China managed to force the fifty turnoff and as many minutes. As Cyane struggled to recover, the Chinese player passed the ball forward to Lao Ma, who had managed to slip behind Ephiny. With Paulina sliding in and Amirace off her line, Lao Ma shot and found the back of the net for China.

Lao Ma also usually had subdued celebrations, but to Xena's surprise she instantly turned and ran for the center line. The Chinese winger ran into the goal to retrieve the ball and sprinted it into the center.

"Going pretty hard for a friendly," Xena commented to Lao Ma when they found themselves near each other during an American set piece.

"Not my idea," Lao Ma answered before Xena ran past her and jumped for the header. She missed and Eve barely got a foot on it and it went out for a goal kick.

The renewed intensity continued into stoppage time. In the first of three minutes, a Chinese midfielder forced a corner kick of Cyane. Ephiny was marking Lao Ma in the box and Xena was on the far post.

"This could be an equalizing moment for China," Iolaus commented in an optimistic tone.

"They have been turning it up but the U.S. since has the height advantage," Melosa added.

The Chinese forward swung it into the box. As it began coming down right in front of the goal, multiple players went up at once. Xena watched Ephiny got around Lao Ma and jump for it alongside Paulina and her mark. Amirace punched for it, only making partial contact on the ball and collided midair with Paulina. Ephiny tangled with the Chinese player and went down as well.

"Partial clearance by Amirace," Iolaus called. "Bouncing to the right but Terries is there, going for the clearance."

"Whoa!" Melosa called, adding a groan.

"Hard tackle by China, Terries is down."

"That's a card."

"Referee agrees and stops play."

Xena heard Terries' scream despite the angered shouts from the crowd. Oh shit, the captain thought.

"Who was that?" Melosa questioned. "That wasn't Lao Ma, was it?"

"Referee is calling for the trainers. And going for a card," Iolaus stated.

"Get off!" Ephiny yelled at the player on top of her. She shoved her aside and scrambled toward Terries.

"Oh, fuck no!" Amirace shouted as she got to her foot and charged over a well.

"Amirace!" Xena shouted as she ran after her. "Fuck," she said to herself.

"A straight red card for Lao Ma?!" Iolaus exclaimed. "That is certainly a strange turn of events."

"Oh, and here comes the Americans," Melosa added.

"Fucking, bitch!" Ephiny yelled as she shoved Lao Ma, who had already moved away from Terries to make way for the American trainers and the medics.

The Chinese players swarmed around them. Amid the shoving and the yelling, Xena managed to get herself between Lao Ma and Ephiny as Cyane pulled Amirace away and Varia held off the other Chinese players.

"Looks like the ref is going for another card," Iolaus called. "And that's a yellow for Ephiny."

"Oh, piss off!" Ephiny screamed at her.

"Cool down," Xena demanded as she grabbed her by the shoulders and moved her away. As she continued to walk Ephiny away, the crowd started cheering. Xena peered over her shoulder and watched Lao Ma simply nod at the ref and silently begin walking toward the tunnel. The crowd cheered again as the American trainer and doctor helped Terries off the pitch.

Melosa gave a nervous laugh. "That's not good for the U.S. moving forward, Iolaus."

"Coach Athena often talks about the depth on this team, but right back is only position that does not has a definite back up," he added.

The referee let the clock run for about a minute past the announced three minutes of stoppage time. But, the rest of the game didn't really matter. Tara, the young NWSL star, made her seventh cap for national team, taking Ephiny place in the midfield as she dropped back to her college position of center back and Minya slid over to fill Terries empty spot at right back.

When the whistle blew, Xena felt nothing but relief. She shook all the hands she was expected to and then silently turned and walked to the locker room.