Seattle Sounders and Make-a-Wish foundation make Xander Bailey's dream come true

Xander Bailey with Clint Dempsey

Dream come true for Bailey

It’s not often that you see a fairytale come true in real life. MLS side Seattle Sounders and Make-a-Wish foundation made sure 18-year-old Xander Bailey’s dream of being a professional footballer and playing for his favourite team, albeit for a few seconds, came true.

Bailey, suffering from a lung disorder called cystic fibrosis, started the MLS side’s friendly against London club Tottenham Hotspur at CenturyLink Field in Seattle.

Playing for his favourite team

A couple of days ago, he signed a contract with the Sounders and gave television interviews. His biggest moment in the match came right at kick-off.

Wearing a no. 45 shirt, the teenager was allowed to run through the Tottenham defence and get into a one-on-one situation with Brad Friedel only to hit it straight to the goalkeeper. He was substituted right after the play to cheers from the 55,000 strong crowd and his team-mates.

Clint Dempsey even hugged him on his way out as the teenager walked off the field with a smile impossible to erase off his face. He spoke to reporters after the match about the support he received from the fans.

The fans meanwhile came prepared with banners, signs and no. 45 shirts in his support.

18 yr old Xander Bailey has cystic fibrosis and the Sounders signed him to make his dream come true. #Chills pic.twitter.com/Bzsz9nwDDz

— Cole Moog (@cdmoog) July 20, 2014

The match ended in a 3-3 draw after the London club came from 2 goals behind with Lewis Holtby scoring, and Roberto Soldado and Iago Falque converting penalties.

Earlier home striker Osvaldo Alonso had scored a brilliant goal to put the Sounders 2-1 ahead.