Mr. Second Place: An Autobiographical Tale of Alvin Allen (Fifa 13)

[moblipeg]

Re: Mr. Second Place: An Autobiographical Tale of Alvin Allen (Fifa 13)

Quarterfinal Matchups
by Dave Seville

Netherlands
England

United States
Argentina

Spain
Cameroon

France
Brazil

[bhurst99]

Re: Mr. Second Place: An Autobiographical Tale of Alvin Allen (Fifa 13)

Argentina's a tough draw. I could see it coming to an end right here.

[pfeifere1]

Re: Mr. Second Place: An Autobiographical Tale of Alvin Allen (Fifa 13)

...I hear Theo has some plans of planting some drugs in Messi's bag...

[moblipeg]

Re: Mr. Second Place: An Autobiographical Tale of Alvin Allen (Fifa 13)

Argentina's a tough draw. I could see it coming to an end right here.

Haha you'll find out soon.

[moblipeg]

Re: Mr. Second Place: An Autobiographical Tale of Alvin Allen (Fifa 13)

...I hear Theo has some plans of planting some drugs in Messi's bag...

Lol, that would be great. The game has been played and lets just say the CPU loves Messi even more than CR7.

[moblipeg]

Re: Mr. Second Place: An Autobiographical Tale of Alvin Allen (Fifa 13)

United States v. Argentina
World Cup Quarterfinals

United States (4-1-3-2)	Argentina (4-2-2-2)
GK Guzan	GK Caballero
RB Chandler	RB Zabeleta
RCB Ream	RCB Mascherano
LCB Gonzalez	LCB Musacchio
LB Johnson	LB Ansaldi
CDM Bradley	RDM Banega
RM Gatt	LDM Costa
CM Holden	RAM Di Maria
LM Shea	LAM Lavezzi
RS Allen	RS Messi
LS Bruin	LS Aguero

Lavezzi. Di Maria. Aguero. Messi. The Argentinean side built this year’s squad with one major strategy. Attack, attack, then attack some more. Led by the leading scorer of the tournament, the world class skill of Messi was undeniable, but this year he actually had a strong squad in support. Argentina is poised to win the World Cup this year. Who can stand in their way?

The United States believe they can. Some are calling Alvin Allen the “American Messi” with his left footed strike and skill on the ball. He is clearly the leader of this young squad with his stellar play in scoring and setting up his teammates. But in order to win this game, veterans such as Bradley and Chandler will have to reign in the exuberance of their younger counterparts on having made it this far. Argentina will be ready for this team, ready to strike with their superior speed and skills on the counter attack should the United States push forward to far. Sabella has his side prepared, and Klinsmann gives one last pep talk to Guzan. The quarterfinal match is about to begin.

Holden during opening ceremonies. His goal would put the US up early

The opening whistle sounded and the United States began with the kickoff. Bruin would kick the ball back to Holden who would bring the ball forward. Costa came up to mark him immediately as the quick midfield of Argentina wanted to prevent any early chances for the United States. Holden regained his composure and sent the outlet back to Allen. Allen would step over and cut past Musacchio. He would see a small hole and sprint upfield, drawing the Argentinean back line towards him. Allen put a sweet back heel pass to a cutting Holden, who was left all alone in the middle. Holden took two steps inside the box and sent in a rocket into the upper right corner of the net in the 7’ for a quick goal by the United States. What a pass and what a goal by the US early in this one as Holden is completely mobbed by his teammates next to the corner flag during the celebration.

Messi, the quiet leader, got his team together and just had a small meeting while the US was celebrating. Argentina took the restart and marched it right down the US throat, as Aguero took the ball into their territory with little effort. Chandler got up to mark him, but the ball was quickly passed to Lavezzi. He would hit Messi cutting , but Ream on the tough assignment prevented a clean shot, shuffling right in step with the Argentinean star. Messi would flow back to the top circle seeing Aguero running inside. A lobbed pass came inside and Aguero tried to head it home, but a great save by Guzan kept the ball out. The rebound chance by Di Maria was blocked by Johnson as he put his body in front of the ball. Guzan would recover and grab the ball for the US possession.

The game took a massive swing in Argentina’s favor from this point. After the punt, Argentina continued to press forward in a flurry of chances, starting with Messi’s shot from distance as he would send in a curling ball that barley went over the bar. Aguero would add a chance of his own, using skills to get inside and send a ball that barely went past the post. After the early goal by the United States, it looked as if they were just trying to hold on for dear life as Argentina continued to tee off on Guzan from all angles.

The United States would finally get its chance just before halftime. The chance began off of a shot by Di Maria that was deflected and picked up by Guzan. He would quickly throw the ball out to Bradley and the counter attack was on. Bradley would get it to Gatt on the wing and Gatt would take off like a bullet into the Argentinean half of the field. Gatt would send it to Allen still on the right side, and Allen would do the rest, getting inside past Mascheraro on a quick step and sending a left footer that was barely blocked by Caballero on a great save. No follow up shot could be attempted as Zabeleta cleared the ball quickly, and the whistle was sounded for the half. The first period would end with the United States holding a surprising lead on Argentina, 1-0.

Before the half, Altidore subbed in for Bruin up front. The US side was beginning to show a bit of fatigue from the massive onslaught of pressure from Messi and the Argentinean side. Remember that they also had just had a marathon match against Russia in the Round of 16. Argentina was ready to go and they took it to the Americans in what looked like a replay of the first half. Messi would kick it back to Banega and this time they came up slowly, passing the ball around a bit. In a game where the United States was winning, it sure felt like Argentina was controlling the game. The US was clearly on its heels as the ball came up the wing to Di Maria. Johnson was a half step to slow, and the cross from Di Maria sailed high and dropped perfectly into the box. Guzan rushed out and punched the ball way outside the box. Unfortunately for the US, the ball fell right to Messi. With no defender around him, Messi took a chance on the long shot. The killer left foot of Messi was on display as he stopped the ball with the right, rolled the ball forward, and then booted the ball. The ball would start in the middle and then spin left, before dipping and just the right moment like a nasty slider in baseball. Guzan didn’t have a chance at this ball as it hit just inside the bottom corner for the equalizing goal in the 54’. Messi smiled as his teammates came to celebrate. Argentina was ready for the kill.

Messi celebrates his equalizer early in the second half

The United States got something going on the rekick as Altidore finally was able to show what he can do in the tournament. Allen would give the ball to him and he would push it up on the left with couple of quick passes with Brek Shea. Altidore would get the ball back from Shea and fake inside before passing it back to Bradley. Bradley would send the long pass up the opposite wing to Gatt who had a couple steps on the defender Ansaldi. Gatt would cut back and send the ball inside on the cross, and Holden would try to head the ball home but it went over the crossbar on what looked like a deflection, but it was called a goal kick.

The time on the clock showed it was the 73’. That was the last time that the United States would hold possession in the half. One man would take over this game and it was not Messi. Sergio Aguero would take the game over, pushing his team forward with fervor. They were ready to win the game. Aguero would make Bradley look silly, getting past the veteran with ease. He would outlet to Lavezzi who would give it right back on the give and go as Ream stepped up to defend. Aguero would get inside past Ream and send a curling finesse shot to the upper right side but Guzan dove and got a fingertip on the ball for the amazing save. The ball would roll out for a corner. The corner would come inside, but Chandler would get a head on it to clear it away. Messi was on the receiving end, giving a fake shot to Gonzalez and stepping in front of net again. Instead of the shot, Messi sent in a through pass to Aguero who sent in a beautiful shot, but again Guzan denies him and the ball is cleared by Johnson.

Time is running out for Argentina, but they would press forward to try to pull off the victory. The cleared ball would be received by Banega and he would pass it up to Di Maria. The ball would come up to Messi who was marked by a tired Bradley. Messi faked left, but this time the captain did not bite and poked the ball away to Holden. The break was on as Holden sent the pass to Altidore. The Americans has numbers as Alitdore sprinted past the halfline. The referee blew the whistle signaling the end of regulation. Klinsmann protested on the sideline, but the game was indeed well past time. The United States was going to have to go to extra time for the second round in a row.

The United States had played on their heels the entire match. Argentina looked poised and ready to play, but the US side looked worn and beaten. Could they hold out for another late stunner? The man to do it was subbed in as Dempsey came in for Holden. The fiery attacker was ready to push his side to victory as the whistle sounded for the match to begin. Allen would pass back to Dempsey on the restart. Depmsey would hit Shea who would give it right back to Dempsey. The hero of the last round would find Allen again who would look for an opening of his own. Good marking by Argentina made it hard for the United States to find a hole, but Allen would give it his best passing to a cutting Altidore. Altidore couldn’t find a clear lane inside so he retreated back out to the top of the penalty area. The US held a surprisingly long build up here and was pressing forward looking for a chance of their own to win the game. Altidore would pass it to Bradley who was holding steady, controlling his midfield’s positioning by barking orders. Altidore and Allen sprinted inside, and Bradley would try to sneak in a lob pass that was cleared away by Musacchio. The referee blew the whistle and the first extra time period was over quickly.

A stunned Argentina squad did not have any chances in the first extra time period, but they would be looking to change that this half. Aguero would take the ball forward and give it to Messi early. Messi would flow to his right, kicking to Di Maria who would take it up the wing. The ball would return to Messi on the right corner of the box. He would fake shot, move to his left, and then with a step on Gonzalez send in a left footed strike. Guzan came up big again with a diving save, pushing the ball away as Chandler received the ball and outlet the ball to Bradley.

Bradley would hit Allen on the long ball as the striker would sprint into Argentina territory. He would receive the ball a step ahead of Mascherano, and push forward. It looked like a one on one with the keeper, but Allen was pulled down from behind at the last minute for a foul call and a yellow card. Mascherano might have just saved the game with that tackle. Bradley would take the free kick and the ball would sail inside the box, but it was easily headed away by Zabeleta and cleared. The whistle would be blown signaling the end of extra time. This battle would be decided by penalty kicks.
The slow hum of the crowd before a penalty kick competition is unlike any other feeling in sports. There is a tension in the air as both squads know that their tournament future relies on the biggest 12 yards in their sports life. For the first time all match, Argentina looked a bit unnerved. Caballero had been a solid keeper all tournament, but Brad Guzan has been electric for the United States, making great save after great save. Both managers had set their penalty kick lineups. It was time for the conclusion of the match.

Dempsey would be the first up for either side. The hero of the previous match was ready. He put the ball down on the mark, and took his paces back. He would come forward, choosing to shoot right. Caballero would move to his left and knock the ball away for the save, guessing correctly. Aguero would be next for Argentina, putting the ball down. Guzan would jump up and down trying to read Aguero. Aguero would head forward, stutter stepping to try to fool Guzan, but the keeper did not bite. Aguero went right, and Guzan stood firm, batting the ball away with ease. Both keepers did their job early. It was 0-0 after the first round.

The second round would begin with Altidore ready to take his attempt. The striker came forward and stutter stepped just as Agureo did earlier, and Caballero bit on the fake diving to his left. Altidore tapped it to the other side, but the ball clanked off of the post. A distraught Alitdore buried his head as he knew he got to cute on his attempt. Messi would come forward to take his attempt. The cool Messi would send a finesse ball to his left and Guzan would guess the wrong way. 0-1 Argentina.

Alvin Allen would get his chance to end the goose egg for his side. Allen would choose just left of center and high for his shot. Caballero would go to his right but the ball would sail up over his head for the goal. Di Maria would take his turn, putting it up and left out of the reach of Guzan. 1-2 Argentina.
Bradley’s turn. Upper right side for him. He converts it as Cabellero guesses middle. Lavezzi to the sport next. Upper right as Guzan also guessed middle. 2-3 Argentina.

Gatt is the last up for the Americans. All the pressure falls on him now. If he misses, Argentina wins the match. If he makes it, the pressure will flip to Argentina as they look to convert their own chance for the win. Gatt puts the ball down. Cabellero is the picture of concentration as Gatt comes forward. The shot goes to the keeper’s right, and Cabellero guesses correctly. But the shot is too quick for him and barely gets past as Gatt converts his chance. The pressure is all on Costa now, as the veteran looks to end this game. Guzan looks poised, knowing that to stay alive, he needs to save this attempt. Costa runs forward and goes for the lower left corner. Guzan guesses the wrong way and heads to his left. The ball rolls in easily and Argentina has won the match 3-4, on penalty kicks.

Costa is mobbed by his teammates, but the real hero as always was Messi with that amazing bender early. A disappointed United States is starting to head towards the locker room. They should hold their heads high however, as they made it further than anyone expected them to this year. They held on valiantly, but in the end, it was just too much Argentina for the entirety of the match. Congratulations to Argentina, as they head on to the semifinals to face France.

Argentina celebrates its victory over the United States after penalty kicks

Jan 1, 2014 - United States vs Argentina
TEAM	1	2	ET	SCORE
United States (Group B #1)	1	0	0	1
Argentina (Group D #1)	0	1	0	1

Team Stats Comparison
United States		Argentina
1	Goals	1
5	Shots	20
2	Shots on Target	7
12	Tackles	8
0	Fouls	1
0	Yellow Cards	1
0	Red Cards	0
0	Injuries	0
40%	Shot Accuracy	35%
76%	Passing Percentage	89%

Notable Allen statistics:
6.2 Rating
1 on target
1 assist
1 Key Pass
1 1v1 victory

[pfeifere1]

Re: Mr. Second Place: An Autobiographical Tale of Alvin Allen (Fifa 13)

I was on the edge of my seat reading the recap. what a magical run for team USA. Congrats on getting Allen such great international exposure so early in his career.

Now lets hope Allen can prove his worth in the Serie A!

[bhurst99]

Re: Mr. Second Place: An Autobiographical Tale of Alvin Allen (Fifa 13)

Great recap. I read it all before knowing the score.

Hopefully, Allen makes it out of the country alive.

[moblipeg]

Re: Mr. Second Place: An Autobiographical Tale of Alvin Allen (Fifa 13)

I was on the edge of my seat reading the recap. what a magical run for team USA. Congrats on getting Allen such great international exposure so early in his career.

Now lets hope Allen can prove his worth in the Serie A!

Thanks. Glad you enjoyed. It was a tough end for the US but honestly they had no business being in that game.

[moblipeg]

Re: Mr. Second Place: An Autobiographical Tale of Alvin Allen (Fifa 13)

Great recap. I read it all before knowing the score.

Hopefully, Allen makes it out of the country alive.

Thanks. That write up was pretty long. I'll be finishing up the story in Brazil soon enough. Last time we left Alvin he was in a bit of trouble, haha. Before the story I'll put up the world cup results, then I'll get to writing some more. As always, thanks for the follow.

[moblipeg]

Re: Mr. Second Place: An Autobiographical Tale of Alvin Allen (Fifa 13)

Knockout Stage Results
by Dave Seville

Quarterfinal Winners

Netherlands 2
England 0

United States 1
Argentina 1 (PKs)

Spain 4
Cameroon 0

France 3
Brazil 2

[moblipeg]

Re: Mr. Second Place: An Autobiographical Tale of Alvin Allen (Fifa 13)

Knockout Stage Results
by Dave Seville

Semifinal Winners

Netherlands 2
Spain 1

France 1
Argentina 1 (PKs)

*Author's note- somehow I got my seeding mixed up, but these are the correct matchups*

[moblipeg]

Re: Mr. Second Place: An Autobiographical Tale of Alvin Allen (Fifa 13)

World Cup Champions Crowned
by Dave Seville

Argentina 2
Netherlands 1

Argentina is your 2014 World Cup Champion!

[moblipeg]

Re: Mr. Second Place: An Autobiographical Tale of Alvin Allen (Fifa 13)



It was strange how bitter I had become. I couldn’t even take solace in my stellar performance in the tournament. The accolades were everywhere about me being the face of United States soccer and the “American Messi” who went toe to toe with the best teams in the world. All I could think about was how we had lost. I was a loser. Strange how easily my thoughts turned to Theo at that moment. He was winning. I had done what he said I do, which is become a world star. All I wanted was my life back. I wanted my family to be left alone. I wanted Quinn back in my life. I wanted Leo and Vinny and I to all get along like we used to. I snapped out of my daze. Pitying thoughts weren’t going to bring things back to the way they were. I looked at the clock on my cell phone. It was time to head to the warehouse.
I arrived at my destination and was surprised to find its location in a business district like any you’d see in the states. I always imagined a place that manufactured drugs would be in a dingy, dirty part of town. This place was right in the heart of a regular business area. My phone rang.
“Alvin,” Leo said.
“Leo, I can’t believe…” I started.
“Alvin, shut up.” Leo said sternly. “I need you to listen carefully. Walk to the back of the main building in front of you.”
I was mad, but I begrudgingly obeyed. At the back of the building were two larger gentlemen obviously standing guard. They looked at me.
“Leo, now what?” I whispered even though they could clearly see and hear me.
“Go up and say hello,” he spoke.
I walked up to the first very large man.
“Um…hello,” I squeaked looking very idiotic.
The man grunted and tried to hand me a gun.
“Whoa whoa, no no, I don’t think so,” I squealed.
“Alvin, these goons are supposed to check you for weapons, but instead they are going to give you one,” Leo said, “Take it because you’ll need it.”
“Absolutely not,” I said as I got bit of a backbone. Someone hit me upside the back of my head. I turned around to find Leo in person actually standing behind me.
“Then I will, since this is obviously a trap,” he smiled as he took the gun, cocked it, and put it behind his waist. I smirked slightly. This was a dangerous old man. We walked into the warehouse. The two big guys followed us inside, and we all went in together.
Of course the warehouse would be dimly lit. We followed along a corridor and then found ourselves inside the large center storage facility of the building. There were no windows to speak of, but a catwalk lined all of the walls on the second level, overlooking the floor. Leo and I stood on the ground floor in a completely empty warehouse. As we got to the center of the floor, one could have easily predicted what was going to happen next. The lights came on and me, Leo, and the two big guys were now surrounded by many people with guns leveled at us from all angles on the catwalk above us. Out of the doors across from us came Theo, Vinny, and the mysterious Madame Apuzzo surrounded by several goons of their own. One of them was holding Quinn with a knife to her throat.
I gasped, “Quinn!”
“Easy there, Alvin,” Theo laughed. “Be silent while the grown ups talk.”
“Hello uncle,” Vinny smiled as he looked at Leo with disdain. “Alvin, would you be so kind as to relieve my uncle of his gun.”
Leo frowned as I looked to him. “Do it,” he growled. I took the gun from Leo and handed it to Vinny. Vinny kept that cold smile on his face as he shot both big guys that came in with us at point blank range. I screamed as he did it. Leo didn’t flinch as both men dropped to the ground.
“I know your tricks, uncle,” he said as he continued to smile. “Let’s continue our conversation from the other night.”
Theo spoke up, “You leaked information to the DEA, but we all know you wouldn’t give up everything you greedy man. How much have we been compromised?”
“And what exactly is in this arrangement for me?” Leo asked aloud.
“Uncle, the only reason we don’t kill you where you stand is that we need you on our side. The feds believe you their ally. All we need you to do is feed them faulty information so we can get this thing off the ground.”
Theo continued, “We’ll cut you in to your nephews plans with the Apuzzo family, and you’ll still control all shipments of APP. We have several decoys at the ready with small shipments. The feds will think themselves victorious, and all the while we’ll continue unimpeded.”
I glanced at Leo as he appeared to be thinking about it. “Don’t do it Leo,” I begged.
“Alvin,” Theo sighed, “I’m afraid Leo doesn’t have much of a choice. Either he does it, or we go ahead and end everybody right here.” He laughed, “I wonder how much an exclusive deal on a slain soccer star’s merchandise will go for? Do you think people will have vigils with your #2 jersey like they did with Dale Earnhardt’s death?” Theo chuckled.
Vinny interrupted, “So uncle, do we have a deal?”
Leo finally spoke, “Sorry, Vinny, but I already made a deal.” Just then the goon that held a knife to Quinn’s throat pushed her down to the ground. She half crawled, half ran to where we stood and I put my arms around her in an embrace. Madame Apuzzo turned and left, with her goons following closely in step with her.
Theo yelled after her, “Where are you going?”
She didn’t turn and didn’t say a word as the doors closed behind her. Suddenly all of the guns that were pointed at us from the catwalk seemed to be pointing at Theo and Vinny. They both pulled out handguns of their own and aimed them at us.
“What’s going on?!” Theo yelled at us. Vinny turned completely pale as he awaited his uncle’s answer.
Now it was Leo’s turn to grin. “Madame Apuzzo has been ever so kind as to turn back over my company to me.”
“Why? How?” Vinny stammered as is eyes darted around the room.
“Vinny, did you really think Theo was smart enough to pull off all of this by himself?” he laughed, “Theo is a thug from the streets of Chicago. He’s a punk, a leech who made his fortune off of the hard work and investments of others, like my shipping business. This whole thing was never about APP. In fact, we’ll be shutting down the business as of today.”
Theo was enraged as he pointed his guns at us, then the people on the catwalk above. “You would throw this all away? Think of the money we could have all made together!” he yelled. “Listen, listen, I can pay you. Let’s make a deal here, eh? This doesn’t have to end badly.”
Leo laughed heartily. I was stunned at his boldness with a gun right in his face. “Theo, the money you have is peanuts compared to the money I’ve already made today. But remember one thing Theo there’s one debt that money can never repay and that’s cold blooded…”
“Revenge,” a familiar voice finished. Before Theo could turn around, two gunshots rang from inside the warehouse. Theo and Vinny both dropped to the ground as lifeless eyes stared up at their killer. I looked across from me as a face not unlike my own looked back at me, short dreadlocks matting his head. Alton “A.T.” Allen had put an end to our tormenter. The people on the catwalk left the way they came and soon it was just A.T., Leo, myself, and Quinn all left in the room. I was still embracing Quinn fiercely as Leo spoke up first.
“Thanks for coming on short notice, kid,” he smiled at my brother.
“No problem, thanks for getting me out of prison,” he replied.
“So you two?” I started.
“Knew each other?” A.T. finished. Told you I’d always have your back, bro.
“So now what?” Quinn asked. “All that talk from before with APP and the Apuzzo family. You really made a deal?”
“Of course,” Leo replied.
Quinn responded angrily as she left my embrace, “But, you were on our side! You’re no better than them,” she yelled as she motioned towards the bodies of Theo and Vinny.
Leo suddenly looked sad, “You’re right.” Leo took the gun from my brother’s hand and pointed it at Quinn. She stopped dead in her tracks.
“Leo, what are you doing?” I yelled.
“I’m sorry, nipote, it has to be this way,” he said without taking his eyes off of her.
“Leo no!”
One last gunshot rang through the air.
She fell backward in slow motion as if time itself was sad that her life was over. When I dream of her, it’s always like that, slow and blurry. I don’t know why it’s blurry. I don’t know if it’s because my mind doesn’t want to remember her death, or if its because the tears that poured from my eyes wouldn’t allow me to see. When she hit the ground, my life had completely changed. As the last light left her eyes, my anger for everything turned white hot. I was furious at Leo. But as quick as it burned, it became a cool, cold hate. I turned to look at him and he had the pistol turned at me.
“I know what you’re thinking,” he said somberly. “You will never forgive me for this. One day you may try to come after me, I understand that. But right now, this whole situation is bigger than my blood,” he said as he motioned toward Vinny, “or your love,” he said as he motioned towards Quinn. “You need to make the decision right now. You’re not just a kid anymore, Alvin. This is bigger than soccer. Time to step up and be a man. You can throw it all away on blind emotion right now,” he stated as he waved the gun in my face, “or you can step up with your brother and I and have the world at your fingertips. They’ll be other girls, Alvin.”
I stared through him with lost eyes.
“So what’s it going to be, are you in, or out?” Leo said emphatically.
I took one last look at Quinn. She was still beautiful, even in death. I looked at A.T. and nodded and then spoke to Leo. “I’m in.”

End of Season 3

[bhurst99]

Re: Mr. Second Place: An Autobiographical Tale of Alvin Allen (Fifa 13)