Seattle Sounders help grant a wish
Jul 21, 2014, 6:42 PM | Updated: 6:42 pm
Xander Bailey’s wish was to be part of the Seattle Sounders.
Wish granted.
Baily, 18, is battling cystic fibrosis. With the help of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, he was able to not only train with the team, but also play in their friendly soccer match against Tottenham Hotspur Saturday.
With many of the fans in attendance holding up signs with his number, 45, and his name, Bailey took a pass from Clint Dempsey to start the match and took a shot on goal.
Keeper Brad Friedel made the save, but that did nothing to ruin the day, as Bailey told SoundersFC.com.
Bailey then left the match as Friedel threw the ball out of play. The 18-year-old West Virginia native was swarmed by his Sounders FC teammates and congratulated by some Tottenham Hotspur starters, as well, before making his way to the bench.
At that moment, he was greeted by exuberant cheers and a call and repeat chant of “Xander! Bailey!” from the crowd at CenturyLink Field.
“That’s something I’ll definitely never forget,” he said, shaking his head in disbelief. “That was crazy. I never expected they’d be chanting my name.”
It was well deserved.