There is a moment in the video embedded below. It is a pre-game sideways glance from Sporting Kansas City right back Graham Zusi down the leather seats of the locker room at one-armed cancer battler Kalen Ricketson, he the honorary player signed only days before per his wish.
In Zusi’s eyes, joy twinkles. In his subtle but sure smile, appreciation glows, and likely much admiration, from the World Cup veteran to the 18-year-old. From Kalen’s face beams laughter, the type that only wonder can bring, the type of wonder that despite all that came before, only each moment of right-now matters.