Timbers fulfill youngster's wish with awesome day

[MAKE A WISH] How big is soccer in Portland? More than 3,000 Timbers fans came out at Jeld-Wen Field Wednesday to watch 8-year-old Atticus Lane-Dupre‘s Green Machine team beat the Timbers, 10-9, as part of the Make-A-Wish Oregon’s effort to fulfill Lane-Dupre’s wish of having his team scrimmage the MLS club. Theyoung cancer survivor scored four goals was rewarded by Timber Joey with a slice off the victory log to cap an awesome afternoon.

Atticus learned he had cancer last fall and missed hislast soccer game of the season with his teammates on the Green Machine.

Timbers head coach Caleb Porter coached the Green Machine against theTimbers who featured Jack Jewsbury, Will Johnson, Darlington Nagbe and Mikael Silvestre. Futty Danso, Jake Gleeson, RyanKawulok and Sebastian Rincon saw action for the Timbers in the special match.

Prior to Wednesday’s game, Atticus was outfitted withhis own locker next to Timbers captain Will Johnson, while he and his family were given a behind-the-scenes tour of the Timbers locker room and workoutfacilities. Additionally, Porter introduced Atticus to the team before the Timbers pre-training meeting.

“It really puts things in perspective,” said Porter. “We’re trying towin games and we have goals here as an organization. There’s nothing more meaningful and valuable than to touch a young kid’s heart and to make his wish come true today. To play a part inthat is absolutely incredible. It’s something that brings our community closer, brings our organization closer, and brings our team closer. When we brought Atticus into the video [session]before training today and I introduced him to the team and talked about what he was going to be doing today, it was hard not to get choked up, it was very touching. He’s a good kid, a specialkid, and we’re just happy to be a part of it.”