Md. boy's dream to become professional soccer player comes true thanks to DC United, Make-A-Wish

WASHINGTON - D.C. United players and coaches helped a Maryland boy's Make-A-Wish dream to become a professional soccer player come true.

Ten-year-old Gavin Smith met and mingled with the players of D.C. United in the locker room on Thursday, which included fellow superstar Wayne Rooney.

"The players are great," said Gavin's father, Paul. "They gave him a great welcome, dancing with him, talking to him."

Gavin received his own locker for the day along a team jersey.

"It's a dream come true," said Paul. "He's in heaven. The smile on his face says it all."

Coach Ben Olsen even made a big announcement in the locker room during a team meeting about their newest signing of Gavin.

Gavin suffers from Chronic Granulomatous Disease (CGD), an inherited immune disorder. Crazy about soccer, his Make-A-Wish goal was to spend the day with his favorite Major League Soccer team.

"I love soccer because you just score goals, you have fun and you never give up," he said.

His older brother Landon suffers from the same disorder. The brothers had bone marrow transplants a little more than a year ago.

Landon's Make-A-Wish took the family to Disney World. But Gavin's big day is one that his family will also remember for the rest of their lives.