If 6-year-old Jonah had been born in a city like Barcelona or Liverpool, he’d fit right in. He would have a storied soccer club to support alongside a city full of kids just like him. Instead, he was born in Salt Lake City, and his local soccer club is even younger than he is. Though ReAL Salt Lake doesn’t have a roster of legendary players and a history spanning generations, it’s Jonah’s home team. And that’s all that matters to him.

When Jonah’s volunteer wish granters first met him at A Wishing Place, he showed up dressed as a miniature ReAL Salt Lake player. Everything he could wear or dribble – shirt, shorts, boots, even a ball – bore the RSL logo.

Jonah was asked a variety of questions and gave answers such as, “If I could meet anyone I’d meet the ReAL soccer team. If I could go anywhere I’d go to Rio Tinto Stadium. If I could do anything I’d play soccer with ReAL Salt Lake.”

And thus it was declared, Jonah’s wish was to play with the Real Salt Lake squad at Rio Tinto Stadium.

Team captain and starting defender Kyle Beckerman led the team in granting Jonah’s wish. He was at Jonah’s side throughout a full ReAL practice. Beckerman started the wish by asking Jonah if he would like to kick the ball around.

“Before I even finished asking him the question, he was off to the middle of the field with his ball ready to take me on,” Beckerman wrote in his blog.

Jonah also got to attend the next night’s home opener against the Seattle Sounders. Before kick-off, MLS officials presented ReAL Salt Lake players with championship rings for their penalty-kick victory in last season’s MLS Cup championship. Beckerman took that chance to truly surprise Jonah – he arranged for Jonah to receive a championship ring.

Jonah also joined the halftime show, helping American Idol alum David Archuleta sing “Touch My Hand” in front of 20,000 fans.

During his two-day experience, Jonah and his family felt the burdens of his medical condition lift. It was a time to forget about his open-heart surgery last summer, and the ongoing treatments and blood transfusions he endures. Jonah’s mother, Jessica, knows the memories of his wish will be a source of hope, strength and joy.

“It is amazing to see where he’s been in his life with his operations, and to be able to have this one incredible night for him is an amazing thing,” Jessica said.

Wish Granters: Steve McCarley and Kimberley Tanner