Since joining Major League Soccer last year, Cuauhtemoc Blanco has entertained thousands of soccer fans on a weekly basis. And it's not just Chicago Fire supporters. There's a large number of Mexican-American fans who support the former Mexican international in every MLS city he plays in.
But there's one special fan that Blanco has touched. His name is Everardo Soto and he lives in Houston, Texas. Soto is 14 and suffers from ganglioglioma, a rare form of brain tumor. His wish was to meet and play soccer with Blanco. Thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation that became a reality.
"It's great that an organization like Make-A-Wish is able to give kids like Everardo these special experiences and brings to light the unfortunate realities of dealing with these types of illnesses," Blanco said.
Soto flew with Houston Dynamo on their team flight to Chicago and, wearing a personalized Fire jersey, met his idol in a pregame ceremony at Toyota Park on May 17. In the game Blanco helped set up Calen Carr for the Fire's lone goal in the game.
Soto also spent the next morning with Blanco and the Fire, joining them in shooting and passing drills.
"He is a great kid with a tremendous heart who has suffered a great ordeal," Blanco said. "Just thinking of what he has gone through and the many others who have gone through similar circumstances, it really makes you appreciate life. I am honored that I was able to give him even the slightest amount of joy through our meeting ... the honor was all mine."
Soto's wish, along with those of four others, will be the subject of feature segments on ESPN's SportsCenter this week. Soto's segment is scheduled to air July 2. ESPN Deportes' SportsCenter will present a Spanish-language edition of the series Sunday.
The series, a collaborative effort between Make-A-Wish Foundation, ESPN and Disney, will feature prominent sports figures, including Blanco, the Cleveland Indians, Phoenix Suns center Shaquille O'Neal, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and former Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Smarty Jones.
Since 2006, "My Wish," has offered a behind-the-scenes look at wish-granting experiences with athletes such as Derek Jeter, David Ortiz, Kobe Bryant, Dwayne Wade, Michelle Kwan, Jeff Gordon and Donovan McNabb.
Dylan Butler is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
