Morning Aggregate: Atticus Scores Winner as Green Machine Outlast Portland Timbers

There are many reasons to love sports, but what happened in Portland yesterday is sure to bring a smile, and maybe some tears, to both soccer fans and non-fans.  The Portland Timbers granted to wish of a little boy named Atticus through the Make-A-Wish program.  Atticus Lane-Dupre scored four goals including the game winner as his Green Machine beat the Timbers 10-9.  Atticus missed the last game of the season for his team after leaning he had cancer and his wish was to play the Timbers on their field at JELD-WEN.  The stadium signs, chants, and other decorations were changed for this match and 3000 people showed up in support.  Just think about the impact of this day for all of those in attendance and understand how you are feeling thinking about this moment.  Soccer is a wonderful thing, isn’t it? Timbers’ coach Caleb Porter switched sides for the match and was reliving the moment after his team came out victorious.

"It really puts things in perspective. We’re trying to win 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 in that 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 special kid, and we’re just happy to be a part of it."

Best wishes to Atticus and a heartfelt thank you for all that were involved.  Check out the video below.

Plenty of other news and notes around MLS as the first match of the week kicks off tonight.  For the Red Bulls, Ryan Meara is close to full healthalthough no timetable has been announced. The goalkeeper has been on the mend since hurting both hips in July of 2012.  The 22-year old player is set to play with the reserves against Columbus and continue to progress from there.

May 1, 2013; Portland, OR, USA; Atticus (1) runs up the field during the game against the Portland Timbers at JELD-WEN Field. The Portland Timbers and Make-A-Wish Foundation granted the wish of Atticus and played a special match against eight-year-old Atticus and his soccer team The Green Machine. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports

Robbie Rogers training with the Los Angeles Galaxy has brought up questions of MLS’s contract rules.  Certain players like Rogers and Herculez Gomez have their rights owned by teams.  The Chicago Fire own the rights for Rogers, but have given permission to the Galaxy that allows the training and forgoes any tampering allegations.  Gomez has said he does not want to play in Kansas City where his rights are held.  These rules have complicated matters in the current times and could make things even worse should more players want to come to or return to MLS.  Should the players’ rights rules be reevaluated?

Gomez was in action last night in the final leg of the CONCACAF Champions League final for Santos Laguna. Santos got out to a 2-0 lead on Monterrey but the defending champions and Aldo de Nigris would storm back.  The now three-peat champions Los Rayados scored four goals, all in the final 30 minutes of the match.

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The Philadelphia Union are celebrating Star Wars day as they host a match on May the 4th.  If you are going be sure to enter the costume contest and dress up like a jedi.  There is also an instagram contest and limited editions shirts.  This is quite the promotional effort.

Stoke City will be touring the U.S. over the summer with stops in Texas along the way.  Brek Shea and Geoff Cameron will be returning to play against their former MLS teams.  Here Cameron speaks about his return.

Abby Wambach returned to action last night for the Western New York Flash as they hosted Sky Blue FC in Rochester, NY at Sahlen’s Stadium.  Wambach’s goal in the 20th minute would prove to be the game winner as the Flash topped Sky Blue 2-1.  Adriana Martin put WNY up in the sixth minute before the goal by Wambach that was actually scored with her foot.  It was a Christie Rampone giveaway that led to the game winning goal.  Sophie Schmidt pulled Sky Blue within one before halftime, but that is how the match would end.  Also, in case you missed the announcement, the National Woman’s Soccer League official online store is now open.

Finally, how about some swamp soccer in Finland?

http://youtu.be/EG8NPBv4H0w