Santiago scores his goal

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Almost before he could walk, Santiago was out on the pitch, working on his dribbling, passes, and goals. He's been in the soccer game since the age of two.

Santiago's passion for the game was passed to him by his soccer-loving father, Jonathan, who grew up in England and is a lifelong fan of the UK professional team, the Watford Football Club. On game days, the father-son duo would wake up around dawn to root for their favorite team together. 

Soccer became a huge part of Santiago's everyday life—he played on teams through school, after-school programs, and clubs. His non-competitive nature led him to the San Francisco Seals, a club soccer team with a philosophy that focuses on developing the player rather than playing to win. 

"I remember Santiago and his team won a tournament, and everyone was celebrating wildly except for him," says Jonathan. "I asked why he wasn't cheering and joining in with his teammates, and he said he felt bad for the other team because they had lost. I thought that was so touching, and to me, that's more important than winning." 

One day in October of 2021, Santiago returned from a two-week sleepaway soccer camp with a limp in his left leg. Thinking it might be a pulled muscle or another soccer-related leg injury, Santiago's parents brought him to see a sports medicine doctor, who referred him to a physical therapist. 

After several sessions of physical therapy, Santiago's pain and immobility worsened to the point where Santiago could not walk up the stairs. At the ER, Santiago received an MRI that revealed a large tumor in his lower back. After further testing, Santiago was diagnosed with Langerhans cell histiocytosis, a rare form of blood cancer. 

"This wish was the one thing that kept him really happy during his treatments," says Julia. "It was a distraction from his illness and really motivated him to keep pushing through. It gave him hope and something to look forward to." 

With the help of the Columbus Crew and Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky, & Indiana, Santiago's wish became a reality. Santiago and his parents flew to Columbus, Ohio, where they kicked things off with a tour of the Historic Crew Stadium.   

Upon arrival, a crowd of fans greeted Santiago, chanting his name and waving the Columbus Crew flag.  

"Santiago felt like a celebrity the whole time," says Jonathan. "From touring the cockpit on the plane, to the limo ride, which he's never been in a limo before, to the welcome circle and all of the gifts, and the film crew following him. It was truly amazing." 

As Santiago toured the stadium, he met the entire Columbus Crew team and Cucho himself. Cucho led Santiago through the locker rooms to reveal Santiago's new pair of green soccer cleats and a custom jersey with Cucho's matching number nine and Santiago's name printed on the back. 

“Cucho doesn’t speak much English, and Santiago speaks Spanish,” says Jonathan. “The whole time they were talking to each other, they were speaking in Spanish. Santiago felt that special connection with him in that way.” 

Santiago got to participate in practice drills with Cucho and the team as they prepared for the big match the following day. During the training, Santiago was showered with more gifts, including a Columbus Crew soccer ball signed by all the team members, hats jackets, gear, and scarves for Santiago and all his teammates on the San Francisco Seals. 

"It was so amazing that he got to see what it's like to be a professional soccer player,” says Jonathan. “Santiago really felt that he was a part of the team training with them. And he really felt that they cared about him, and they really did care. He feels he has a relationship with all those players now.” 

On the day of the match, Santiago and his parents entered the field through the high-five tunnel, and Santiago started off the game with the first kick—making the goal! Santiago and his parents were then escorted to their seats to watch the thrilling game. 

"Cucho was injured at the time, and that was really important for Santiago to see,” says Julia about the game, “It was probably one of the most inspirational things for him to see that you can be injured and then recover and keep going.” 

When they returned home, Santiago found some extra wish magic in the mail just before his birthday. Inside was a copy of the thank you card Santiago had drawn for Cucho, framed and signed by Cucho himself. 

“Santiago feels like Cucho is his friend and Ohio is like his version of Nirvana,” Julia laughs. “He compares everything to Columbus and feels a real wonderful supportive sense of belonging and connection there through this wish.”  

Santiago continues to use the tips he learned from Cucho and the Columbus Crew. After successfully completing treatment, he built back his strength and is once again playing soccer with the San Francisco Seals. He even scored the winning goal at his first game back with the team! 

"It's hard to put into words how much this wish meant to us," says Julia. "Santiago has felt singled out due to his illness, but this made him feel special. He said it was the best day of his life. No matter what he does in the future, he will carry this and everything he learned through soccer with him forever.”