Back in July, Sounders FC signed Bheem Goyal, a local eight-year-old kid battling Acute Lymphotic Leukemia, to the First Team ahead of an international friendly against Borussia Dortmund. Goyal, who plays club soccer for Seattle United, trained with the team’s goalkeepers prior to the match, interacting closely with his favorite player, Stefan Frei.
Working in conjunction with Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington, Goyal started the match against Dortmund and even produced a save before being subbed off for Bryan Meredith.
The passionate local kid was an instant fan favorite. Over the coming months, he was present at the Alliance Member Celebration, signing autographs for fans, and even did ‘Scarves Up’ before Seattle’s match against FC Dallas on September 18.
Ahead of MLS Cup on Sunday, Goyal wrote a ‘thank you’ letter to Frei for ThePlayers’ Tribune.
“I learned so much from you,” wrote Goyal. “I am so much better at goalkeeper now. You made me want to play goalie a lot more. You made me want to help other kids with cancer more. You made me love the Sounders a lot more. The whole thing was so fun. Good luck in the playoffs!”
You can read the full letter to Frei HERE.
