Portland, Ore. – Professional soccer players often speak of how they dreamed as young children of joining the professional ranks. For eight-year-old Atticus, that dream is becoming a reality sooner than expected.
Atticus plays for a youth team called The Green Machine. Last fall, he was diagnosed with cancer after he started feeling pain while playing soccer. He missed the last game of the season as a result of the treatment he was receiving.
Without hesitation, The Green Machine rallied around Atticus to provide support. Recently, Make-A-Wish Oregon stepped forward to grant Atticus a wish. Atticus chose something that would include his entire team so he asked if his Green Machine could play a match against the Portland Timbers.
For Jack Jewsbury and his teammates, being selected to play against The Green Machine means a great deal.
“It is an honor to take part in such an event where we, as soccer players, can really make a positive impact on the life of Atticus and make a wish come true,” he said.
The two sides will meet at 11:30 AM on May 1st at JELD-WEN Field (FREE, follow @PTStandTogether on Twitter for updates). When The Green Machine takes the field, they will be facing some of Atticus’ favorite players, including Jewsbury, Darlington Nagbe, Mikael Silvestre, and Will Johnson.
“As a kid you dream of these moments,” said Nagbe. “It's always a good feeling when someone's dreams come true, and I'm excited to be a part of Atticus' big game with The Green Machine.”
Silvestre echoed Nagbe’s sentiments.
“Everybody should have a dream,” he said, “And the fact that Atticus is able to realize his means a lot to me.”
The Timbers, however, are not taking The Green Machine lightly. The team knows they are in for a tough match.
“[I’m] wearing multiple pairs of shin guards,” said Jewsbury, “I have heard The Green Machine tackle extremely hard.”
Even with over 250 EPL appearances in his career, the experienced Silvestre knows the importance of preparing for every opponent.
“I’ve been watching the tape and I am anxious to face such a talented team,” he said.
Fans are welcome to attend the match and admission is free; doors open at 11:15 a.m. The first 100 fans will receive a commemorative scarf and free pizza from Papa Murphy’s. Additionally, Atticus, his family and friends will enjoy a unique game-day experience during the Timbers’ home match Thursday, May 2, against the New England Revolution as part of his wish.
With the match approaching and despite the size and experience advantage the Timbers have, they remain humbled by the opportunity.
“I'm most looking forward to having fun and being a kid,” said Nagbe. “Hopefully I don’t get nutmegged.”
About Make-A-Wish
Make-A-Wish® grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Founded in 1980, the organization is now the largest wish-granting charity in the world, with 64 chapters in the United States and its territories. With the help of generous donors and nearly 250 volunteers, the Oregon chapter has granted more than 2,700 wishes throughout Oregon and Clark County, Washington. For more information about Make-A-Wish Oregon, visit orwish.org and discover how you can share the power of a wish®
