On Sunday, 1 November, Wales legend Jess Fishlock will take to the pitch for Seattle Reign against Orlando Pride, not knowing whether it will be her final match.
The Reign, the club Fishlock has called home since 2013, are competing with NC Courage and Denver Summit for the final National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) play-off spot.
Beat Orlando, and Seattle – with whom the 39-year-old has won three NWSL Shields – guarantee an eighth play-off berth in Fishlock’s 14-season stint in Washington state.
NC Courage and Denver Summit boast a higher goal difference than Reign and sit two and three points behind them respectively, but face each other on the final day.
“I’ve been in this league long enough to understand how this works. I think we’ve had a couple of situations like this before,” said Fishlock.
“The beauty of it is you just get to focus on football, which is ultimately all we want to do as players.
“All I want to do is get this group into another round of play-offs and see what happens after that. There’s a lot going on, which is so fun and so exciting.”
Reign will honour the veteran midfielder, with several activities planned around the stadium, including a commemorative photo booth and dedicated merchandise.
Several members of Fishlock’s family have flown out to the Pacific Northwest so they can be among the expected 16,000-strong crowd at Lumen Field.
“I don’t think I’ve had this many family out, ever. It’s been a little crazy,” Fishlock added.
“I’m not used to having little Rugrats running around everywhere, taking all of my spare energy that I need. But it’s been great.
“I will really be able to enjoy it post-game. I’m focusing on the match itself and [reaching the] playoffs to keep the season going a little bit longer, which would be nice.
“I’m extremely grateful and so appreciative of everybody showing out for me. Everything that the Reign has done has been undeniably incredible and beautiful.
“But without sounding ungrateful, I am still very much focused on the game itself. I’m sure post everything, it will hit me far harder than I’m allowing it to hit me right now.”
Fishlock’s retirement will close a chapter in Reign’s history, as she is the last of the club’s original three stars to step away, following Megan Rapinoe and Lauren Barnes.
It will also mark the end of an era for the league. She is one of the division’s most recognisable figures, and bounced back from a serious-looking injury to go out on her own terms.
