Portland Timbers Play a Match Against 8-Year Old Soccer Player With Cancer as Part of Make-A-Wish

Atticus Lane-Dupre was diagnosed with cancer before the end of the 2011 fall soccer season, and missed the final game with his team, the Green Machine. Wednesday afternoon, in what was an off-day for the Portland Timbers before tonight’s home game against the New England Revolution, the team and 3,000 supporters in the stands got together to grant a wish to Atticus. He and his team, the Green Machine, got to face off in a match at JELD-WEN Field against his favorite players.

With so many negative stories out there, we can always use something like this. The sheer joy on his face as he races back after scoring a goal, and the excitement of his teammates as they get to go into specially outfitted lockers with their uniforms hanging before the match are amazing.

The Oregonian has some great photos of the event, where Atticus took home man of the match honors for scoring four goals in the 10-9 Green Machine victory. The Portland Timbers are in their third season and seeking to make their first playoff appearance, off to a 3-1-4 start with the only loss coming on March 9. They could not withstand the pressure, and could not handle playing short handed by roughly 7 men.

When asked about the highlight of the match, Atticus said “The one where I nutmegged Will Johnson.” A close second, I’m sure, was getting awarded the victory log, which is something all of us should strive to achieve.

[photos via Oregonian]