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SANDY — Most days you can find Dylan with a soccer ball dribbling or practicing one of his many trick shots.
This 14-year-old lights up at the mention of one word.
"Sports," Dylan said with a laugh. "I just love sports."
He especially likes soccer. His smile and enthusiasm for the game is contagious.
"It feels awesome," he said. "Like nothing is going to stop me."
Most days nothing does, until he's asked to talk about the hard stuff.
"I just get lonely sometimes," he said. "Well, most of the time."
Loneliness. The weight of which can be crushing. Even though he's never been to a professional MLS game before, he says soccer is like a friend and a welcome escape. For the past two years, Dylan has lived in the Utah Foster Care system.
"I'm not with people I love," he said. "It makes me sad."
He hasn't always been in state custody.
"I got adopted in 2007 or 2006," he said. "Yeah, I was excited and then it was hard."
Two years ago, he re-entered the system. It's something he's still trying to process. Life can be tough when you're 14, especially when you feel alone. However, on Wednesday Dylan received quite the surprise.
"Right on," he said as he walked on to the Real Salt Lake soccer field. Some of the RSL players had heard about Dylan and they invited him to their practice. On this day, Dylan is not alone. He learned another surprise was in store as one of the players handed over tickets to their next game.
"That's crazy," he said. "I'm just so excited."
Dylan will be going to his first professional soccer game, but he's still contemplating his future.
"I was actually thinking of growing a 'man bun'," he said with a laugh.
All jokes aside, this 14-year-old does have goals and not of just the soccer variety.
"Yeah, I really want to get adopted," he said. "Then I can spend time with them and just do fun activities with them. I can have their support because I haven't had support for a long time from people I love."
He hopes this time it will last forever.
"I don't know," he said. "I just have a good feeling about it."
