During one of Sporting Kansas City's final news conferences of 2024, manager Peter Vermes announced a special addition.
The player? 11-year-old Miles Smith.
Hearing the announcement, Smith was overcome with emotion. Using his cane, he walked up on stage with his mother. He signed a contract days before a game. It read, in part, that Smith's "duties and obligations are to represent Sporting Kansas City in a positive manner, bring joy to fans and help the club win."
On match day, he walked through the Budweiser Brew House alongside a kilt-clad Johnny Russell.
Smith had a locker and full kit with his name on it. He shook each player's hand in the locker room and took time to talk with them, leaving many with a smile.
He joined Russell for the captain's coin toss before the match. Miles Smith's wish to be a Sporting Kansas City player was granted for the final home match of the 2024 season on October 5.
A lifelong battle
Miles suffers from septo-optic dysplasia, a condition that affects his optic nerves and eyesight, hypothalamus and pituitary gland. It appears in one in 10,000 babies.
The condition's effects on the hypothalamus make self-regulation of emotion, body temperature, sleep, thirst and hunger extremely difficult.
"My kid overheated doing nothing at 55 degrees in the house," Rachael, his mother, said. "Literally to the point of puking, he overheats."
Smith's body cannot regulate electrolyte and sodium balance. His condition affects the pituitary gland, causing hormone, cortisol, testosterone and adrenal deficiencies.
"Homeostasis is a beautiful place to be," Rachael says.
Miles takes 20 medications every single day. Some days, like that Saturday, are good. Others, not so good.
"Despite everything, this kid gets up and has a smile on his face," Rachael said. "He does a ninja kick out of bed each and every day. He takes on the day's challenges no matter what they are. He knows the mountain he's up against. And he wakes up, and he does it again."
A wish come true
Miles Smith's big day with Sporting came because of his involvement in the Victory Project, Sporting KC's philanthropic arm that connects with Children's Mercy patients. While there are usual match-day honorees for children battling cancer, Smith's experience during Sporting KC's final home match of 2024 was special.
Smith's wish was granted thanks to Sporting Wishes, a partnership between the Victory Project and Make-A-Wish Missouri & Kansas.
On Thursday, Miles attended training and kicked the ball around with the squad before signing his contract. He ate lunch and then toured the stadium and locker room while the scoreboard above the south stands read, "Welcome to Sporting Miles Smith," as it would for any new signing's in-stadium photo shoot.
Friday night, he stayed at the Great Wolf Lodge near Children's Mercy Park, his first time staying in a hotel room.
"This isn't something we'd get to do otherwise," Rachael said. "So for him to get to be somebody, right here, right now, with these players and all the fans, it's incredible."
Rachael said Miles doesn't get much support from the health system, if any. The school system has been their most consistent support; he attends Mize Elementary School in De Soto, Kansas. At school, he is known as Miles "Big Kicker" Smith and loves playing soccer.
In addition to the school, The Victory Project has been Smith's biggest supporter.
"They have held our hand every step of the way and made it possible for him to come out and see this," Rachael said, "and made it possible for him to stay here."
Miles Smith's big day
Nearly two hours before the match, Miles, Rachael and little sister Penelope Smith were standing outside the players' arrival spot. Russell pulled up for potentially his final match at Children's Mercy Park in his blacked-out BMW.
Miles began to bounce with excitement. Russell and Tim Melia are his favorite players.
Russell stepped out in a kilt and led Miles through the traditional match-day entrance, walking through the club and around the field to the locker room. They were announced together while walking into the stadium. It meant the world to Miles and his family.
"So often I don't think he feels heard," Rachael said. "I don't think he feels seen."
A fan said hi to Miles as Russell walked him through the club, with kids hanging over the ropes.
"Mom, they knew my name," he said, overcome with excitement.
Of course, his condition also means the heights of those moments must be regulated. As Miles stepped outside, Russell made sure to sign anything and take every picture, potentially one last time. The two rejoined and went to the locker room, where Smith made his way around to wish good luck to every player and staff member.
"That was a special moment to share with him," Russell told The Star. "The excitement he got when he was talking to me, the excitement he got walking through the brew house, walking around the cauldron, onto the field. You realize in those moments that it's so much bigger than you."