This was awesome.
Xander Bailey, an 18-year-old living with cystic fibrosis, started for the Seattle Sounders on Saturday. He was signed by the team Wednesday as part of the Make-A-Wish program, and he began training with the Sounders on Friday.
Saturday morning, Bailey was told he would be on the pitch for the opening kick. Not wasting any time, Bailey quickly took the first shot of the game, although it was stopped by Brad Friedel.
Bailey was then subbed out, but not before receiving another thunderous ovation from a crowd of 55,000.