Ahead of their match with the Seattle Sounders on Saturday (7:30 p.m. PT; JOEtv, Univision-Seattle, KIRO 97.3 FM, El Rey 1360AM), the San Jose Earthquakes will sign 11-year-old Cole Baker to a one-day contract. The signing is coincidentally the first for interim general manager Chris Leitch since taking over for longtime GM John Doyle, who was fired last week.
Baker, who will serve as honorary captain for the Quakes, was diagnosed with stage IV neuroblastoma and is being given the opportunity as part of a league-wide initiative to raise awareness for cancer research. September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and the Seattle Sounders will also be participating with a full slate of activities and events.
As part of his signing, Baker will wear full Earthquakes gear, execute the game’s honorary first kick, greet his teammates as they walk out of the tunnel, participate in team handshakes and pose in the team’s Starting XI photo.
