PORTLAND, Ore. – He’s been here before. He was five, the first time, getting more treatment for his injuries before returning to Iraq. Ten years later, Mustafa Abed has returned, only this time, he’s been able to combine his treatment with the sport that he loves.
Despite losing his left leg when he was two, Mustafa Abed is an avid soccer fan, playing still thanks to the braces he uses to walk. He was doing just that on Wednesday at the adidas Timbers Training Center, where he kicked the ball around with Zarek Valentin and took shots on Jeff Attinella after being introduced to the full Portland Timbers’ squad.