Seattle Sounders 3 Tottenham Hotspur 3 match report: Teen with cystic fibrosis kicks-off game (... and Mauricio Pochettino wants to eventually win the Premier League)

Xander Bailey received a standing ovation from the 55,000 in the crowd

Tom Sheen
Sunday 20 July 2014 13:39 BST
Comments
Seattle Sounders' Xander Bailey, second from right, is congratulated by teammates Chad Marshall (14), Jalil Anibaba, second from left, and Stefan Frei after scoring a ceremonial first goal against Tottenham Hotspur
Seattle Sounders' Xander Bailey, second from right, is congratulated by teammates Chad Marshall (14), Jalil Anibaba, second from left, and Stefan Frei after scoring a ceremonial first goal against Tottenham Hotspur (AP)

There were great scenes to begin Tottenham's pre-season friendly against the Seattle Sounders, as a teenager who has cystic fibrosis took to the field.

Xander Bailey, 18, lined up alongside US and Seattle captain Clint Dempsey as part of the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

Fans cheered the youngster's name and held up banners and placards as he kicked-off with the former Spurs forward at Century Link Field.

Bailey was allowed to run through on goal and have a shot at Brad Friedel's goal - which was saved by the veteran keeper - and then left the field to rapturous applause from the 55,000 inside the stadium.

In Mauricio Pochettino's first game in charge of the club, Spurs twice came from behind in a game that saw three pentalties.

Lewis Holtby opened the scoring but Seattle fought back through Gonzalo Pineda and then Osvaldo Alonso.

Roberto Soldado rose from the bench to equalise from the penalty spot, before Tristan Bowen edged Seattle in front and then Iago Falque equalised for the north Londoners once more.

Speaking in an interview with The Sun on Sunday, Pochettino has said he has been tasked with eventually winning the league with Tottenham.

All managers want the best and want to be the best," Pochettino said.. "I knew from the first day I came here that Spurs are a big club.

"My challenge is to win the Premier League... eventually. This is our goal, to win the title one day.

"Our target at the moment is to provide a team capable of creating our philosophy on the pitch. To develop and improve the style of football we want to play."

Pochettino enjoyed success at Southampton last season, leading the Saints to their highest ever tally in the Premier League and eighth in the table - that equalled his highest ever finish as manager as he also finished eighth with Espanyol in 2011.

The Argentinian manager is yet to bring any new signings to White Hart Lane this summer, though they are close to a move for Swansea left back Ben Davies.

Spurs face another former team-mate on Wednesday when they play Jermain Defoe and Toronto FC.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in