Humanity requires that we care

Last night as I watched Seattle Reign's season come to a crashing halt, I was not sad. I was filled with joy because of the beauty of Luana's return to the playoffs.

In April 2024 the Orlando Pride midfielder was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Her penalty finish iced the Reign's chances at victory. A brilliant dribble by Marta covering dozens of yards and beating several Reign players ended with the legend being taken down in the box. Normally, Marta would take that kick from the spot.

Instead, that honor went to Luana, who buried it.

“One year ago, I didn’t even know if I would be playing again,” the 32-year-old said in a post-match interview on Prime Video. “And today, I’m here. Nothing is impossible.”

It's a beautiful tale, a deserving story and a wonderful highlight. If Reign had to lose in the playoffs, losing in that fashion helps the soul.

Soccer is about soul and community as much as it is about trophies and wins.

A community and team rallying behind those among them who are suffering is a reminder to us all that we need to care about one another.

On Sunday, we all can rally around the Husky Women. They made the Big 10 final. It's an impressive accomplishment for a team that's been overshadowed locally.

Much more important than their advancement to the title is the loss of their teammate, their inspiration.

Mia Hamant passed away prior to her team's semifinal win. Cancer, that vile disease, took the 21-year-old in mere months. One cannot imagine the simultaneous pain and joy from her teammates. They're on the verge of greatness while heartbroken.

This big damn world is cruel and wonderful. We all can take the opportunities of beauty to help. We all must take the opportunities of pain to listen, to be warm and to care.

The Seattle Sounders might win today, which would be a lot of fun. I want to write another soccer story. I enjoy that.

But I also enjoy Stef Frei winning the team Humanitarian of the Year a sixth time for his work Seattle Children’s Hospital and its Kick Childhood Cancer nonprofit. He's our captain and among the best of us. Local star Jordan Morris has three Humanitarian of the Year awards for his commitment to diabetes awareness, education and connecting with those affected by Type 1 Diabetes. He'll almost certainly spend time with a local youth with T1D in Minnesota after the game, win or lose.

Humanity requires that we care for each other.

Likkit, producer of Nos Audietis, and many of our friends and soccer enemies are part of today's Cascadia Gamers Extra Life event. They are raising money for Seattle Children's hospital (or their local hospital if they are from Portland, Vancouver or elsewhere).

• Cascadian Gamers donation page
• Likkit Pocinwong donation page

Go Sounders. Go Dawgs. Go Reign.

Fuck cancer and care about each other.

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Catching up on Sounder at Heart

Here's what you missed on the site this week.

Sounders

Next match: Saturday, Nov. 8 at Minnesota United FC | 1 pm PT | Apple TV/MLS Season Pass | MLS Cup Playoffs

• Everything you need to know about Minnesota-Sounders
  • Join us for a Game 3 watch party at Fast Fashion
  • Looking toward Minnesota Game 3 and the bigger playoff picture
  • Sounders relish opportunity to play in another must-win game
  • Statistical preview: Sounders vs. Minnesota United, Game 3
  • Under The Lights: Can Sounders finish off Minnesota United?
• Obed Vargas gets first Mexico call-up since debut a year ago
  • Obed Vargas has leveled up in MLS playoffs at perfect time
• Cristian Roldan named to November USMNT roster
  • Proper respect: Cristian Roldan reflects on Best XI honor
  • Cristian Roldan named to MLS Best XI
• Won, not done: Sounders explode at home against Loons
  • Postgame Pontifications: Mystique broken
  • Realio’s Ratings: No walk in the park

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Reign

Season over

• Reign bow out to Pride, 2-0
  • Reign at Pride: Highlights, stats, quotes
• Valkyratings: The end of the regular season is the beginning
• The Cooler Guild: Saved by the Bugg
• Photo Gallery: Legendary Lu

Defiance

Season over

Looking back at the news

Everything else you need to know

1. University of Washington goalkeeper dies after battle with rare kidney cancer (King5)
2. 18 months after cancer diagnosis, Luana scores late goal to help Pride advance to NWSL semifinals (New York Times)
3. Women’s soccer faces plenty of serious threats. So why the panic about trans players? (The Guardian)
4. USL club North Carolina FC tells players it won't field a team in 2026 (New York Times)
5. So long, sweet RailHawk. (Jeff Reuter)
6. MLS commissioner to lobby for ‘Caps in Vancouver (Global News Canada)
7. Sports streaming is a fragmented hot mess (The Verge)
8. Adidas Reimagines Tradition with 2026 FIFA World Cup Home Kits (Yahoo Sports)
9. Infantino to award FIFA peace prize at World Cup 2026 draw (New York Times)
10. U.S. Hotels Are Losing Out To Canada And Mexico Ahead Of The 2026 FIFA World Cup (The Travel)
11. World Cup hype collides with the reality of cartel violence in the Mexican state of Jalisco (ABC)
12. Here's What Azteca Stadium Will Look Like for the 2026 World Cup (Wired)
13. Lionel Messi and Inter Miami to visit … Baltimore next year? D.C. United weighs M&T Stadium for 2026 match (Yahoo Sports)
14. Inside Apple’s Big Major League Soccer Bet (Hollywood Reporter)

Many of you know I don't work Veterans Day. This year I'm gathering with other Vets at All Things Wine in Renton. We're going to be signing up as volunteers and donate to Team Rubicon because service also requires we care.

Learn more about Team Rubicon at Veterans.Day.