Issue 25 | Sounders Monthly by Seattle Sounders FC

IN THIS ISSUE

2 9

CLOSER LOOK The Sounders introduce a new Ownership Group, the Cascadia Cup stays in Seattle for the second straight year and goalkeeper Bheem Goyal meets some fans

2019 SCHEDULE Check out this year’s full slate

MEET THE TEAM

GEOMETRIC SUBTRACTION

The squad lets us know who has the best style

As a goalkeeper, Stefan Frei’s job is to prevent. As an artist, he creates

SOUNDERS FAMILY

TAKING YOUR POWER BACK

NOTHING CAN STOP HIM

38 CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Rachel Johnson MANAGING EDITOR

Danny Ciaccio

ASSISTANT EDITORS

Pablo Mendicuti Joseph Mondello

Get to know Peter Tomozawa, the club’s new President of Business Operations and a member of the new Ownership Group

When Christine O’Connell’s daughter, Jane, was diagnosed with cancer, an amazing idea emerged

In honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, learn about Sounders Academy standout Chris Hegardt’s battle

10 QUESTIONS: DANNY LEYVA Danny Leyva opens up about the last TV show he binge-watched, his favorite part about Seattle and more

CONTRIBUTING DESIGNERS

Claire De Rocco Kristin Sheetz COMMUNICATIONS

Alex Caulfield Kelly Schutz Brian Verdi Matt Winter

COVER PHOTOGRAPHER

Mike Fiechtner

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Mike Fiechtner Jane Gershovich Rod Mar Corky Trewin Lindsey Wasson Charis Wilson Reuters USA Today

© 2019 BY MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER, LLC AND SEATTLE SOCCER, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART WITHOUT WRITTEN CONSENT OF SEATTLE SOCCER, LLC IS PROHIBITED. SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC 159 SOUTH JACKSON, SUITE 200 SEATTLE, WA 98104 887-MLS-GOAL SOUNDERSFC.COM

CLOSER LOOK

AUGUST 13, 2019

A dozen families with deep Seattle roots join the clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ownership Group. The new group features a wealth of expertise in sports, entertainment, technology, broadcast, finance and many other fields. 2

AUGUST 23, 2019

With a 2-1 win over the Portland Timbers at Providence Park, the Sounders kept the Cascadia Cup in Seattle for the second straight year.

AUGUST 25, 2019

Sounders FC goalkeepers Stefan Frei and Bheem Goyal sign autographs for fans at the annual Alliance Member Celebration at CenturyLink Field.

FROM SCARVES UP TO WHEELS UP. Connecting Sounders FC fans to 60+ destinations from Sea-Tac with our partners. OFFICIAL AIRLINE

Based on 2019 destinations from Seattle offered by Delta and its joint venture or codeshare partners. 8

2019 SCHEDULE DATE

OPP ONENT

TIME

WATCH

SATURDAY, MARCH 2

VS FC CINCINNATI

7:00 PM

FS1, YOUTUBE TV

4-1

SATURDAY, MARCH 9

VS COLORADO RAPIDS

7:00 PM

JOETV, YOUTUBE TV

2-0

SATURDAY, MARCH 16

AT CHICAGO FIRE

10:00 AM

JOETV, YOUTUBE TV

4-2

SATURDAY, MARCH 30

AT VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC

7:00 PM

JOETV, YOUTUBE TV

0-0

SATURDAY, APRIL 6

VS REAL SALT LAKE

7:00 PM

JOETV, YOUTUBE TV

1-0

SATURDAY, APRIL 13

VS TORONTO FC

1:00 PM

JOETV, YOUTUBE TV

3-2

SUNDAY, APRIL 21

AT LAFC

4:00 PM

FS1, YOUTUBE TV

1-4

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24

VS SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES

7:30 PM

JOETV, YOUTUBE TV

2-2

SUNDAY, APRIL 28

VS LAFC

12:30 PM

ESPN, YOUTUBE TV

1-1

SATURDAY, MAY 4

AT MINNESOTA UNITED FC

5:00 PM

JOETV, YOUTUBE TV

1-1

SATURDAY, MAY 11

VS HOUSTON DYNAMO

7:00 PM

JOETV, YOUTUBE TV

1-0

WEDNESDAY, MAY 15

VS ORLANDO CITY SC

7:30 PM

JOETV, YOUTUBE TV

2-1

SATURDAY, MAY 18

AT PHILADELPHIA UNION

4:30 PM

JOETV, YOUTUBE TV

0-0

SUNDAY, MAY 26

AT SPORTING KC

3:00 PM

FS1, YOUTUBE TV

2-3

SATURDAY, JUNE 1

AT FC DALLAS

5:00 PM

JOETV, YOUTUBE TV

1-2

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5

AT MONTREAL IMPACT

4:30 PM

JOETV, YOUTUBE TV

1-2

SATURDAY, JUNE 29

VS VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC

7:00 PM

JOETV, YOUTUBE TV

1-0

WEDNESDAY, JULY 3

AT NEW YORK CITY FC

4:00 PM

JOETV, YOUTUBE TV

0-3

SATURDAY, JULY 6

AT COLUMBUS CREW SC

4:30 PM

JOETV, YOUTUBE TV

2-1

SUNDAY, JULY 14

VS ATLANTA UNITED FC

1:00 PM

ESPN, YOUTUBE TV

2-1

WEDNESDAY, JULY 17

VS BORUSSIA DORTMUND

7:30 PM

JOETV, YOUTUBE TV

1-3

SUNDAY, JULY 21

VS PORTLAND TIMBERS

6:30 PM

FS1, YOUTUBE TV

1-2

SATURDAY, JULY 27

AT HOUSTON DYNAMO

5:00 PM

JOETV, YOUTUBE TV

1-0

SUNDAY, AUGUST 4

VS SPORTING KC

7:00 PM

FS1, YOUTUBE TV

2-3

SATURDAY, AUGUST 10

VS NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION

1:00 PM

JOETV, YOUTUBE TV

3-3

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14

AT REAL SALT LAKE

7:00 PM

JOETV, YOUTUBE TV

0-3

SATURDAY, AUGUST 17

AT LA GALAXY

7:00 PM

ESPN2, YOUTUBE TV

2-2

FRIDAY, AUGUST 23

AT PORTLAND TIMBERS

7:00 PM

ESPN, YOUTUBE TV

2-1

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1

VS LA GALAXY

3:30 PM

FS1, YOUTUBE TV

4-3

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7

AT COLORADO RAPIDS

6:00 PM

JOETV, YOUTUBE TV

0-2

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15

VS NEW YORK RED BULLS

3:00 PM

JOETV, YOUTUBE TV

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18

VS FC DALLAS

7:30 PM

JOETV, YOUTUBE TV

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22

AT D.C. UNITED

5:00 PM

JOETV, YOUTUBE TV

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29

AT SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES

4:30 PM

JOETV, YOUTUBE TV

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6

VS MINNESOTA UNITED FC

1:00 PM

JOETV, YOUTUBE TV

RESULT

Match dates and times subject to change. All times pacific. More info at soundersfc.com/schedule. PRESENTING PARTNER OF THE 2019 SOUNDERS FC SEASON

S TRE A M ALL M ATC HES LIVE ON YOU TU BE T V 9

MEET THE TEAM

Jordy Delem Midfielder

Bryan Meredith Goalkeeper

Harry Shipp Midfielder

“WHO IS THE BEST-DRESSED PLAYER ON THE TEAM?”

Justin Dhillon Forward

Jordan Morris Forward

Xavier Arreaga Defender

Stefan Frei Goalkeeper

Joevin Jones Defender

Trey Muse Goalkeeper

Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez Forward

Brad Smith Defender

Saad Abdul-Salaam Defender

A: Nouhou

A: Brad Smith

Luis Silva Forward

Gustav Svensson Midfielder

A: Nouhou

Will Bruin Forward

Handwalla Bwana Midfielder

Kim Kee-hee Defender

Kelvin Leerdam Defender

Cristian Roldan Midfielder

Jonathan Campbell Defender

Emanuel Cecchini Midfielder

A: Raúl Ruidíaz

Danny Leyva Midfielder

Nicolás Lodeiro Midfielder

A: Jordy Delem

Víctor Rodríguez Midfielder

A: Cristian Roldan

Alex Roldan Midfielder

Raúl Ruidíaz Forward

TECHNICAL STAFF

Nouhou Defender

Román Torres Defender

Garth Lagerwey General Manager & President of Soccer

Tom Dutra Club Director of Goalkeeping

Marc Nicholls Director of Player Development

Chris Henderson VP of Soccer & Sporting Director

Damian Roden High Performance Director

Brian Schmetzer Head Coach

Ravi Ramineni Director of Soccer Analytics

Grant Clark Team Administration Director

Djimi Traore Assistant Coach Gonzalo Pineda Assistant Coach Preki Assistant Coach

Chris Little Tacoma Defiance Head Coach & Academy Director of Coaching

Vince Johnson Team Services Director

GEOMETRIC SUBTRACTION “I am making my own genre, is that cool?”

Being a goalkeeper has rubbed off on me as a person. Everything is thought out, everything is very structured. I try to pay attention to the utmost detail. It’s something I have struggled with for a long time: How do I bring some chaos into my paintings? If it’s too perfect, there is no grunge. There is nothing natural and it looks really stiff and one-dimensional. Letting go is very difficult for a goalkeeper. It’s almost impossible, but I have found a way to do it.

ABOUT THESE PHOTOS STEFAN FREI POSES IN HIS HOME ART STUDIO IN QUEEN ANNE WORDS COMPILED BY DANNY CIACCIO PHOTOGRAPHS BY MIKE FIECHTNER

GENESIS The only one I will ever name is Genesis -- my coming out piece. The first one I ever finished. There are so many pieces right now from digital to canvas that broke down at some point. There are probably 15 steps to get a completed piece, and I was learning as I was going. This is the first one where Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve finished it off and made something. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why this one is Genesis and has a name.

“Starry sky through shattered glass”

SOUNDERS FC YO U T H C A M P S W I N T E R , M I D -W I N T E R , S P R I N G , S U M M E R A v a i l a b l e w e e k l y fo r a ge s 3 -1 6 a n d a l l a b i l i t i e s 25+ locations throughout Greater Seattle

Full Day: $285 Half-Day: $200 Advanced: $305 Emergence (Ages 3-5): $190

CAMPERS WILL RECEIVE One complimentar y ticket to a Sounders FC match

C a m p j e r s e y, s o c c e r ball and giveaways

Curriculum created by Sounders FC Academy Staf f

Chance to meet Sounders FC players and receive autographs

Camps are also supported by

“A blend of my two favorite colors”

A-SERIES I have always enjoyed being able to see someone’s progression. If I am ever going to get to AAA-Series, and I can stack it up to A-Series, it will be cool to see the differences.

On September 4, Frei announced the launch of Stefan24Frei.com, a digital platform dedicated to his artistic pursuits. The site offers the public a chance to learn about Freiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s artistic background, view his portfolio of works, keep up with news on an art-centered blog and even purchase both original canvas pieces and limited-edition prints.

B-SERIES I challenged myself a lot with this piece in terms of getting it done quicker. I wrapped the edges on this one, which wasn’t very easy. I am happy with the way I handled that challenge. Doesn’t say as much about the design, but the process behind it.

“Challenged executed”

C-SERIES

The next project.

I would come home from training and then would paint for seven hours straight and not even save the project… Now I have more of a goal in mind. I feel like I am working towards something. I want to play soccer as long as possible and give it the utmost attention it needs. I don’t want to just play soccer, I want to play it well. I want to win things and achieve with my teams. I don’t want this to ever be in the way of that, but I am also aware that careers are very vulnerable.

Now that I still have this platform as an athlete, perhaps I can inspire people to follow their passions, as well. This is my other passion and I want to turn it into something big, but I want to show those people you have to work hard for it. My hope is to keep promoting as an artist, sell some things, and then slowly turn into a fulltime artist at some point. See where it takes me. I want to have pieces of art in galleries all over the world. Dream big, right? Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what I was always told as a kid with soccer, so why should I not do the same thing with this?

Sounders Family MEE T SOUNDERS FC’S NEW PRESIDENT OF BUSINES S OPER ATIONS PE TER TOMOZ AWA

SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC unveiled sports business leader and former financial executive Peter Tomozawa as the club’s President of Business Operations on August 21, 2019. Alongside wife Donna LeDuc, Tomozawa also joined Seattle’s Ownership Group, making the pair the 12th family to become part of the Rave Green’s newest group of partners, following the announcement that saw the Ownership team expand significantly. Combining nearly 30 years of expertise in the financial and public sectors, along with several leadership roles in sports business, Tomozawa brings a wealth of experience to Sounders FC. “I have long been an admirer of this proud organization that boasts the most passionate fans in Major League

Soccer and a playing culture that is truly inspiring,” said Tomozawa. “What I love about this team is its never-say-die attitude. It’s a philosophy that starts with Adrian Hanauer, and has been upheld by Garth Lagerwey, Brian Schmetzer and our players each and every week. That energy and grit is what drew me to this organization in the first place, and now joining the club in my new role, I am so honored to become a steward of that culture. On behalf of all our new partners, it is a privilege to be a part of this Sounders family, and I look forward to helping grow the club that we are all so passionate about.” Most recently serving as Vice President & Executive Director for Partnerships and Board Relations for Los Angeles’ successful bid for the 2028

Summer Olympics and Paralympics, Tomozawa is no stranger to the sports and entertainment worlds. In addition to being a minority owner in the Vegas Golden Knights – the National Hockey League’s successful franchise that launched in 2017 – Tomozawa also maintains ownership stakes in two historic clubs in the English Football League Championship: Swansea City and Barnsley. Additionally, Tomozawa previously served as a partner and Global Head of Foreign Exchange Sales at Goldman Sachs, where he worked for 17 years, before transitioning into civic affairs for the state of Hawaii. In the latter role, Tomozawa served as Executive Director of Business Development & Advisor to the Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu, in addition to

working as Vice Chair & Commissioner of Charter Schools for the State of Hawaii Department of Education. In Tomozawa’s new role as President of Business Operations, he is set to oversee all of Sounders FC’s business departments, inclusive of administration, legal, finance, business operations, marketing, communications, broadcast, community outreach, fan experience, membership engagement and customer service, ticket sales and operations, premium sales, hospitality and corporate partnerships.

TAKING YOUR POWER BACK HOW CHRISTINE O’CONNELL TURNED DEVASTATING NEWS INTO HOPE FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE BY JOE MONDELLO

Christine O’Connell has known former Sounders FC defender Zach Scott for years. Hailing from Hawaii, O’Connell founded the Zach Scott Fan Club the day he signed with the MLS Sounders as a nod to their shared heritage and she designed her first-ever scarf in celebration of the iconic defender. When Scott announced his retirement from professional soccer after the 2016 season, O’Connell designed a new scarf to sell at his testimonial match on March 2, 2017. At the Scott family’s request, all proceeds went to Seattle Children’s Hospital to fund childhood cancer research, a segment of scientific innovation that goes woefully underfunded by both pharmaceutical companies and the United States government. It was a resounding success, as O’Connell sold out of scarves before halftime, raising thousands of dollars. Her only regret is that she hadn’t made more. Just over two weeks later, the O’Connells were given the kind of earth-shattering, heartwrenching news that no parent should ever have to receive. Their three-year-old daughter, Jane, was diagnosed with stage IV kidney cancer. It had

already spread to her lungs, lymph nodes and spine. “Being the parent of a child with cancer is an extremely helpless feeling,” said O’Connell. “It is your job to protect your child and you feel utterly powerless.” That’s when the light bulb went on. It was an idea that helped her cope with the long days and nights in the hospital as Jane underwent 16 rounds of radiation and seven months of chemotherapy. More importantly, it helped her take her power back. “I knew Seattle Children’s was on the road to a better cure that just needed funding. I wondered, how can I help?” she recalled. “I remembered our success with Zach’s scarves and thought, well, that’s a start.” She found inspiration in Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan, whose gritty, relentless approach to the game and insatiable love for pizza led to a scarf that read ‘Roldan is Hungry.’ She also made a ‘Brian Schmetzer’s Rave Green Army’ scarf and, on a whim, wrote a letter to Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei seeking his help for a design. “I was shocked to get such a heartfelt and touching reply from him saying ‘yes’,” said O’Connell. “Stefan was so supportive of my family and our struggle. And then he gave me the gold ‘You Shall Not Pass’ design, which was the best scarf I’ve ever seen. The. Best.” As Jane fought bravely for her life and underwent treatment, Christine worked diligently on her scarves. Through word of mouth and exposure from Sounders players like Scott, Frei and Roldan, her inventory was completely sold out within three weeks. When all was said and done that year, she raised $18,004 for immunotherapy cancer research at Seattle Children’s Hospital. Today’s radiation and chemotherapy treatments are uncertain and debilitating endeavors. Even if children beat the cancer, there will be life-long health impacts. With advancements in immunotherapy – CAR-T cells are genetically re-engineered so that a child’s own immune system fights the cancer – O’Connell is hopeful for a future where

other families don’t have to subject their children to hell just to have a chance to live. “It’s staggering what we had to do to Jane and the risks we had to saddle her with to cure her cancer,” said O’Connell. “And we had to do it. There is no choice. Now I have this visceral need to do everything I can so that other families don’t have to walk the road that we have. That’s how I try to make sense of what Jane has gone through. What we’ve all gone through.” This story has a happy ending: Jane is 23 months in remission. Because her first venture into raising money for Seattle Children’s Hospital was such a resounding success, O’Connell teamed up with Frei once again the following year. This time, the Sounders goalkeeper offered to sign the scarves, helping them procure even more money for immunotherapy research. Raising over $30,000 at the second go-around, O’Connell was able to help the Seattle Children’s Hospital buy vital equipment and fund treatment trials. Beginning in mid-September 2019, she’s getting back to work once again selling scarves at scarvesfightingcancer.com in the hopes of finding a cure. “I think it’s amazing what she’s been doing,” said Frei. “To turn such a struggle, something so negative for the family, into something that is – it’s still a struggle for them – but she used it as motivation to make a difference. It’s incredible. I love how much she believes in what she is doing.” Another sobering reality O’Connell faced during Jane’s treatment was the critical role that blood transfusions play in treating cancer. Three days after her diagnosis, Jane underwent a six-and-a-half-hour surgery to remove one of her kidneys and the primary tumor, requiring two transfusions. Witnessing that process first-hand spurred O’Connell’s next venture – organizing blood drives through Bloodworks Northwest – as some children with cancer require so many blood and platelet transfusions, their families lose count. “On the most basic level, it is so humbling to watch the blood of a stranger go into your child,” said O’Connell. “She needed something that I could not give her and that my husband could not give her.

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“IT’S STAGGERING WHAT WE HAD TO DO TO JANE AND THE RISKS WE HAD TO SADDLE HER WITH TO CURE HER CANCER... NOW I HAVE THIS VISCERAL NEED TO DO EVERY THING I CAN SO THAT OTHER FAMILIES DON’ T HAVE TO WALK THE ROAD THAT WE HAVE.” - CHRISTINE O’CONNELL

Some stranger took time out of their day – probably on the same day she was diagnosed with cancer – rolled up their sleeve and donated blood. And it kept our baby alive.” Her first two blood drives have seen the likes of Zach Scott and his wife, Alana. Chad Marshall, Brad and Becky Evans showed up as well. This year, O’Connell is collaborating with the Sounders on the Out for Blood with Zach Scott blood drive, a multi-pronged approach to raise awareness of the need for blood and platelet donations in the fight against childhood cancer. It’s difficult to comprehend how someone who has gone through so much pain and suffering can remain so optimistic about the future. But if O’Connell’s experiences surrounding her daughter’s diagnosis and treatment have taught her anything, it’s that Seattle Children’s Hospital, and its charitable arm Strong Against Cancer, are on the cusp of a cure. All they need are donations to fund their world-class research. “We need to support Strong Against Cancer because they are changing the course of how childhood cancer is going to be treated,” she said. “We will see a more certain, less debilitating cure in our lifetime. And if we don’t, then shame on us. The science is there. The track record is there. All they lack is the funding to bring it to more patients.”

“ TO TURN SUCH A STRUGGLE, SOMETHING SO NEGATIVE FOR THE FAMILY, INTO SOMETHING THAT IS – IT’S STILL A STRUGGLE FOR THEM – BUT SHE USED IT AS MOTIVATION TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. IT’S INCREDIBLE.” - STEFAN FREI

NOTHING CAN STOP HIM CHRIS HEGARDT BATTLED THROUGH CANCER TO MAKE IT BACK ON THE PITCH BY JOE MONDELLO

During his first year in Sounders Academy, U-17 midfielder Chris Hegardt has reached milestones on the pitch that most kids can only dream of. A technical, tenacious box-to-box midfielder, Hegardt was an integral component of the Sounders U-17 team that became the first-ever MLS side to win the prestigious Generation adidas Cup Champions Division. He helped lock down a midfield that defeated international powerhouses like Flamengo, C.F. Valencia, River Plate and West Ham United. “When I first came to Seattle, it was different because every player is super good,” said Hegardt, who will play with the U-19 Academy team for the 2019-20 season. “I think Generation adidas Cup was a big stepping-stone for me. I thought I played really well in that tournament and I kind of broke through. After that, I’ve been getting a lot of opportunities to train with the Tacoma Defiance and the First Team.” To make it as a professional player, prospects have to possess a strong character and be willing to embrace

adversity. At 17 years old, Hegardt has already overcome more hardship than most people experience in a lifetime. In more ways than one, soccer saved Hegardt’s life. On Dec. 5, 2009, seven-year-old Chris was playing in a tournament with his local team, the Fallbrook Fury. The ball popped up and struck him in the stomach. He got sick on the sidelines, so his parents took him to the local ER, where they discovered that the ball had ruptured a tumor in his liver, necessitating emergency surgery. A biopsy revealed he had cancer covering a third of his liver. Just hours after playing soccer with his teammates, Chris was suddenly in a battle to stay alive. “He’s had to go through things in life that you hope and pray no child has to endure,” said Defiance Head Coach and Sounders Academy Director of Coaching Chris Little. “He’s had to come through this adversity and a terrible cancer. He has a strength and resiliency that I can’t comprehend.

“[CANCER] HUMBLES YOU A LOT, IT MAKES YOU GRATEFUL. NOW THAT I’M ABLE TO PLAY THE GAME WITHOUT HEALTH CONCERNS, IT’S MADE ME A STRONGER PERSON...

Those are special, special qualities… I have nothing but admiration for him.” Hegardt had to persevere through three rounds of chemotherapy, a liver transplant and then three additional rounds of chemo. During all the nausea, aches, pains, surgeries and daily anti-rejection medications, the prospect of returning to the pitch and helping his teammates was the light at the end of the tunnel for Chris. “Through all of my treatments, my mind was always on getting back to soccer,” he said. “That helped in everything I went through because I always focused on soccer. It pushed my mind to be strong and never give up. No matter how sick I got, I just had to keep going. I set a goal to get back on the field.” Thankfully, he had his parents and three older siblings constantly by his side, cheering him up and rooting for him along the way. “They were always there for me,” recalled Hegardt. “My parents were very helpful. It was very good to have them 34

super close to me. I’m so thankful for that. “There were a lot of times that were hard. During the rounds of chemo, any meal I ate, I would throw it up. Having my siblings around helped because they helped me stay positive.” In his first year back after beating cancer, Hegardt’s San Diego Surf team made it to the national championship game in 2011. Finally, the moment he had been dreaming about had arrived. Hegardt scored the game-winning PK to secure the national title for his team. “It taught me to not take anything for granted,” he said. “You should always show your best on the field and train your hardest because you never know when it will be your last session or last game. You have to be grateful and appreciate it.” Hegardt’s relationship with soccer is much deeper and more profound than most kids his age. You can see it in every match he plays for the Academy. When he had to square off against some of the top young players in the world at GA Cup, he never backed down.

... IT TAUGHT ME TO FIGHT AND TO NEVER GIVE UP. IF YOU ALWAYS GIVE YOUR BEST IN TRAINING, IT WILL TAKE YOU A LONG WAY.” - Chris Hegardt

Zulily is proud to team up with local youth from Sounders FC community partners to present the Zulily Dream Team!

He fought and clawed with unparalleled intensity for every loose ball, rallying his teammates to keep pushing through any adversity that came their way. “[Cancer] humbles you a lot,” he said. “It makes you grateful. Now that I’m able to play the game without health concerns, it’s made me a stronger person. The things I went through made me a better person. It taught me to fight and to never give up. If you always give your best in training, it will take you a long way.” On Aug. 9, he made his first professional appearance, coming on as a substitute in the Defiance’s 2-1 win over Orange County SC in the USL Championship. In recent months, he has

trained with the Sounders FC First Team, learning from the likes of Cristian Roldan and Nicolás Lodeiro. “He eats, breathes and sleeps soccer,” said Little. “He’s a great kid. He would play soccer all the time if he could. He loves talking about it, loves feedback and loves watching it. That character, mentality and passion for the game can make a big difference. We think Chris has a bright future.” Hegardt dreams of becoming a professional soccer player. And he has the necessary talent and passion for the game. As for the work ethic and character to cut at the highest level? Don’t bet against him.

10 QUESTIONS with Danny Leyva

01 WHAT IS THE L AST T V SHOW YOU BINGE-WATCHED?

02 WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP?

03 WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SP ORT TO PL AY OR WATCH (OTHER THAN SO CCER, OF COURSE!)?