The Seattle Sounders gained a fan for life Saturday night.
Xavier Bailey, an 18-year-old living with cystic fibrosis, was granted his wish to compete with Seattle in a friendly against Tottenham of the English Premier League.
Bailey was signed by the team Wednesday as part of a Make-A-Wish Foundation program, and the West Virginia native trained Friday with the Sounders. The team told him on Saturday morning he would be on the pitch for the opening kick.
Bailey was sprung free to take the first shot of the game, off a feed from US National Team star Clint Dempsey, which was stopped by Tottenham goalkeeper Brad Friedel. He was then subbed out, and received a loud ovation from the crowd of 55,349.
“That’s something I’ll definitely never forget,” Bailey told SoundersFS.com. “That was crazy. I never expected they’d be chanting my name.”
Bailey walked out with the team during pregame ceremonies Saturday and was introduced as part of the starting lineup. The Emerald City Supporters, the Sounders’ fan group, created a banner in honor of Bailey, and green cards were handed out through the stadium with his name and his No. 45.