When Xander Bailey made a wish to be a professional soccer player, Sounders FC listened. On July 16, the West Virginia native was signed as an official member of the club. The 18-year-old joined the First Team at training and took to the pitch in his first official match during the July friendly against Tottenham Hotspur.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>.<a href="https://twitter.com/xbailey_17">@xbailey_17</a> once a sounder always a sounder <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/tifo?src=hash">#tifo</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EBFG?src=hash">#EBFG</a><a href="http://t.co/Jx57CJz6Sd">pic.twitter.com/Jx57CJz6Sd</a></p>
— Brad Evans (@brad_evans3) <a href="https://twitter.com/brad_evans3/statuses/490588782677082112">July 19, 2014</a></blockquote><script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> |
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Your <a href="https://twitter.com/SoundersFC">@SoundersFC</a> XI: Frei Yedlin Marshall Scott Anibaba Neagle Alonso Pineda Pappa Martins Dempsey - C <a href="https://twitter.com/xbailey_17">@xbailey_17</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SEAvTOT?src=hash">#SEAvTOT</a></p>
— Sounders Matchday (@LIVESounders) <a href="https://twitter.com/LIVESounders/statuses/490571918022426626">July 19, 2014</a></blockquote><script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> |
Bailey was given a proper Seattle welcome as supporters created a tifo to commemorate his debut. “I’m really blessed to be here and have the opportunity to play with players like this,” said Bailey as he reflected on the experience this summer.
The experience was something that also impacted the club. “I saw the look in his eyes and you could tell he was overwhelmed," said Sounders FC Head Coach Sigi Schmid. "He’s so appreciative. It makes for a day that he won’t forget, but our guys won’t forget it either. To be part of that situation is unique and special for us as well.”
During the MLS Cup Playoffs, he was welcomed back to the city and had the chance to again take to the field as the Western Conference Championship trophy escort in the second leg against LA Galaxy.
