D.C. United’s midweek acquisition ahead of their Saturday matchup with the Philadelphia Union proved to be just what they were looking for on the heels of a busy week.
And the experience of being a part of a MLS team, if only for a few days, was a dream come true for 17-year-old Francis Wesley. His addition to the United roster was part of the Make-A-Wish program and even proved to be a spark for the team as D.C. broke a three-game winless streak and extended their home unbeaten run to a franchise-tying record 19 games with a 2-1 victory.
“My wish, it was like, to play on a soccer team, and it happened,” Wesley told DCUnited.com after he joined the team for a training session and then Saturday’s match. “I enjoy myself… have some fun… play among D.C. United players. It was really great.”
Wesley, a native of Liberia, came to D.C., where his father, Justin, lives to receive treatment at the National Institute of Health for a blood cancer known as Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma. He was informed of his special signing while in class at Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville, Maryland via a video from D.C. United head coach Ben Olsen.
“If we wasn’t going to be able to come to the States, it was going to be a different story, let’s just say that,” Justin Wesley said, noting that the family was blessed with the good fortune to have left Liberia last year before the Ebola outbreak hit.
As part of the Make-A-Wish program, young Wesley was added to the D.C. roster for two days, was with the team during a training session, played video games with players and received a signed ball after the win against the Union.
“He’s been great,” D.C. forward Chris Rolfe said. “Good little soccer player, as well. So we felt his energy tonight.”
Wesley was also informed recently that his lymphoma is remission and, according to his grandmother Rosalind Wesley, is eager to get back to playing soccer.
“Every day when I look at him, my heart swells,” she said.
