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BEHIND THE STRIPES

Aiden Patino

By Atlanta United FC

October 4^th, 2024

Within the hecticness of life, there is reprieve found in special places. For 10-year-old Aiden Patino, it’s soccer. As a soccer enthusiast, right down to playing the sport himself and being a passionate Atlanta United supporter, he knows the excitement that comes with attending an MLS match.

Aiden and his family – his mother and father Lindsey and Steven, and his siblings Lukas and Ella – have attended Atlanta United games before.

“I like going in the suites because of the free food,” said Aiden when asked about his favorite thing about an Atlanta United game. “I like the great view, and how they win a lot.”

Despite being no stranger to going to Atlanta United games, the Patino family will experience something a little different at the club’s match on October 5. As the 5-Stripes walk out to play what is their last home match of the 2024 regular season, the numbers on their kits will be specially designed by Aiden. The custom numbers are a part of Atlanta United's Pediatric Illness Awareness Platform that aims to give a voice to children and young adults that are fighting or have survived their battle with pediatric illness.

This campaign will provide a platform to recognize the great work Atlanta’s hospitals, organizations, and non-profits are doing to make strides in pediatric illness research while providing excellent care to children that are living with or have survived their illness.

Aiden was diagnosed with heart and aortic defects as a baby and has lived with it ever since. He was chosen for the opportunity because of not only because of his love for Atlanta United but also for drawing.

With the inspiration he took from the hobbies and things he loves the most, the numbers perfectly reflect the colorful, curious, sports-filled world that he lives in. It also seemed apt that he would take on a task involving numbers. His favorite subject in school is math.

“I like a lot of stuff – sharks, soccer, the beach,” said Aiden. “A lot of hobbies. Baseball, flag football, and basketball.”

In September, Atlanta United invited Aiden and his family to the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground for a sneak peek at the numbers. The family was accompanied by Atlanta United Homegrown Efraín Morales, who helped Aiden with the designs. Morales and Aiden got the chance to not only see the designs but also heat press their respective numbers onto the jerseys they will wear at the October match against New York Red Bulls. When given the choice of what number he wanted on his own kit, Patino chose his favorite, which was fittingly 17.

Sports have an incredible way of bringing people together, and it’s no different within a family. Soccer is a big pastime for the Patino family. While at the training ground, Aiden, Lukas, and Ella got a chance to shoot a ball around with Morales on the same pitches that the first team practices on every day during the season.

The whole journey has not been just transformative for Aiden, and his siblings who were right by his side, but for his parents as well. The whole family has used this opportunity to cultivate a sense of unity and joy.

“It has been an amazing experience. He loves soccer and he loves Atlanta United,” said Aiden’s mother, Lindsey. “It has been really good for him to create something of his own and be a part of something so big.”

The fun did not end at seeing the numbers. The club’s community relations team also surprised Aiden with the news that he will be the honorary captain for the last home match. He will lead the 5-Stripes out on the field while carrying the match ball. His family will also have special seats to watch the match.

When asked about which players he was most excited to see wearing his designs, he said Brad Guzan and Saba Lobjanidze.

And, of course, Morales.

Supporters attending the match will be able to see the kits, including Aiden’s numbers, in all their glory. They will also get the opportunity to purchase a special scarf, designed by Nick Colley, at the Team Store on matchdays at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, including the team’s home match on October 5 to raise awareness for pediatric illness.