The LA Galaxy will honor a true champion ahead of Saturday’s California Clasico against the San Jose Earthquakes (10:30 pm ET; MLS LIVE).
The Galaxy will recognize Izaak Torres ahead of kickoff at StubHub Center on Saturday, honoring the 13-year-old at midfield before he leads the Galaxy onto the field with LA captain Robbie Keane during the opening player procession.
The special event is being organized by the Galaxy and Make-A-Wish Orange County and the Inland Empire, and will fulfill Torres’ wish of meeting the Galaxy.
“People always ask the question, ‘What is a champion?’” Keane told LAGalaxy.com. “A champion is someone who can overcome things, have the mental strength to do whatever they want and achieve whatever they want. There are big champions in LA if you look at basketball and soccer. But for me, there is only one champion and that’s Izaak.”
Torres suffered from a kidney disease before receiving a kidney transplant last year. A striker, he was selected as an All-Star in his local league this year.
“People get put into the champion far too easily in this day and age,” said Torres’ favorite player Steven Gerrard, a Galaxy midfielder. “But when you look at this unique guy, who pushes himself and stays strong and upbeat, he deserves every bit of praise he gets.”
More info on Torres, including more quotes on the LA sports icon from Keane, Gerrard, Landon Donovan, LA Lakers legend James Worthy and LA Kings captain Dustin Brown, can be found at LAGalaxy.com.
