CARSON, Calif. – Los Angeles sports icon Izaak Torres had the opportunity to train with the LA Galaxy on Friday.
The 13-year-old will be honored by the Galaxy during Saturday’s match against the San Jose Earthquakes thanks to Make-A-Wish® Orange County and the Inland Empire. Torres will be recognized at midfield during a pregame ceremony before walking onto the field with captain Robbie Keane and the rest of the starting lineup.
A day before his wish is realized, Torres, his grandparents and a close friend had the chance to train with the Galaxy and then meet the team. Before the autograph session, Torres and his close buddy were welcomed into the training session by Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena.
For the lifelong Galaxy fan, the opportunity to train with his idol Steven Gerrard and the rest of the team was the experience of a lifetime.
“I really felt like I was part of the team, but I was still super nervous the whole time,” Torres told LAGalaxy.com.
Torres underwent a kidney transplant a year ago after suffering from kidney disease. Before his illness, the Costa Mesa product played soccer for several years, even making all-star in his last year of soccer.
The teenager will be recognized as part of #ThisIsLA night which honors Los Angeles sports history.
