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Behind the Stripes

Dakota Southerland

By Atlanta United FC

September 29^th, 2023

Dakota Southerland loves surprises.

When Atlanta United chose the 13-year-old to design the jersey numbers for the club’s annual pediatric cancer awareness match, she had no idea. Her mom, Molly, drove them to the Design Lab, unbeknownst to Dakota, where she would soon be covered head to toe in paint after creating her masterpiece.

“She was shocked, I will say that,” Molly said. “Then, once she saw what they would be doing, she was excited.”

A few months later, Atlanta United surprised her again. Dakota knew she would be the Golden Spike hitter for the match, but she didn’t know she would be joined by her former patient care technician, Edwin. The pair reunited with an emotional hug, tears sprouting in both of their eyes upon seeing each other for the first time in nearly two years. They went on to hit the spike together to start the match.

The relationship between Dakota and Edwin was special. Dakota was diagnosed with bithalamic pilocytic astrocytoma, an inoperable and the most common pediatric brain tumor, in February of 2019. When she described her journey fighting cancer, she said it has been “terrible,” but it’s been a little easier with the support of her family, friends and Edwin.

“He’s my best friend,” Dakota said. “Whenever he was taking my blood, I wanted it a certain way, and he knew exactly how, and he didn’t make it hurt.”

Edwin Guiler was working as a care tech at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta when he met Dakota, and the two instantly bonded. Dakota underwent chemotherapy once a week for 18 months, and Edwin was by her side every step of the way. He said he would sometimes come in on his days off or rearrange his schedule to ensure it aligned with her appointments.

“I met her at a time where she was really pulling it, going through her treatments,” Edwin said. “She had a lot of challenging times coming in, and there was just something about the connection between us. When I had to do her labs and do her vitals, she just always felt comfortable with me, and it wasn’t always that same relationship with other techs that were there.”

Edwin got a new job a few years ago and hadn’t seen Dakota since his last day at Children’s. The chance to reunite, especially during such a special match, meant a lot to both of them.

“It’s all about Dakota and whatever I can do to make this moment special for her,” he said. “Words can’t describe what this means to me.”

Behind the Stripes

Behind the Stripes

Behind the Stripes

Every year, Atlanta United hosts a match to honor pediatric cancer fighters, with this year’s match being on September 23 against CF Montréal. Not only were Dakota and Edwin the spike hitters, but Hanna Clegg, this year’s scarf designer, also served as the honorary captain. Atlanta United further showed its support for the campaign with an on-field ribbon and tifo, along with other gold elements such as the goal nets.

As a part of a league-wide initiative, the team warmed up in Kick Childhood Cancer pre-match tops before changing into their jerseys featuring Dakota’s designed numbers on the back. The bright pink (Dakota’s favorite color) paint-splattered numbers were a great contrast against the neon blue and green from Atlanta’s 404 kit. The eye-catching tops perfectly matched the energy in Mercedes-Benz Stadium as the 5-Stripes dominated Montréal with a 4-1 win to clinch a spot in the playoffs.

Behind the Stripes

Behind the Stripes

Behind the Stripes

Behind the Stripes

Behind the Stripes

Behind the Stripes

Dakota recalled the experience creating the numbers in the Design Lab full of excitement and giggles. The eight-grader proudly explained how her art teacher invited her to move up to the advanced art class, proving this task was perfect for her.

Design Lab invites two pediatric cancer fighters to design an Atlanta United scarf and custom kit numbers with the help of some Atlanta United players. The scarf and numbers are turned from a design into physical items and used during the month of September to honor and celebrate those who are fighting or have survived pediatric cancer.

Dakota crafted her design alongside Atlanta United defender Aidan McFadden before he went on loan. The two used brushes, squirt guns and their hands to apply the paint, although they began painting on each other more than on the canvases.

Behind the Stripes

Behind the Stripes

Behind the Stripes

Behind the Stripes

Behind the Stripes

Behind the Stripes

Behind the Stripes

“I made a mohawk on him. That was fun,” Dakota said.

“He had all the colors in his hair, and then he just mixed it all around,” Molly added.

Behind the Stripes

Behind the Stripes

Behind the Stripes

Behind the Stripes

Behind the Stripes

Arts and crafts are just one of many activities Dakota does to take her mind off things. She enjoys spending time with her pets: two cats Simba and Mittens and a bearded dragon named Peaches. She loves traveling; she went to Hawaii a few months ago and returned from a cruise to the Bahamas the day before the match. She also loves cheering and hopes to become a professional cheerleader in the future.

Dakota credited her long-time best friends for also helping her through tough times. She recognized the circle of support she has and wants other pediatric cancer fighters to also surround themselves with people they can count on. With two heartfelt thumbs up, she encouraged them, saying: “You got this!”

Behind the Stripes

Behind the Stripes

Footnotes

Story by De Turner / Photos by Kyle Hess and Atlanta United

FootNotes

Story by De Turner / Photos by Kyle Hess and Atlanta United

© 2026 Atlanta United FC

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