PHOENIX — Phoenix Rising FC is hosting the "Holidash Julian Delgadillo Castro Annual Fun Run" in honor of their youth soccer player who lost his life last November after contracting sepsis.
Funds from the fun run will go towards helping young players get a chance to play the sport.
"I feel like this would be something that [Julian] would be so joyful over, that he would love this," Rosa Castro, Julian's mother said.
Rosa Castro described her son as a kind and energetic boy who had dreams of going pro someday.
"He loved soccer so much that we would go to practice almost every day, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and then tournaments, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays," Rosa Castro recalled.
Rosa Castro said her son also had a big heart.
"I remember one Christmas he got two children from the Christmas tree and bought everything on their list," Castro said. "He was like nine at that time, and he did that on his own."
Braim Villela, Julian's coach, said Julian made a lasting impression on him and his teammates.
"He was my starting goalkeeper. He was also my captain," Villela said. "He was also my secret weapon."
Villela recalled a memorable victory from last year where Julian asked to play forward.
"Julian [runs], beats the keeper [and] he scores the winning goal," Villela recalled.
Unfortunately, Villela said that the game was the last time Julian would play.
"He didn't make the next practice," Villela said. "We thank Julian for the best memories that he gave his team."
Villela emphasized the importance of community support for the fun run event.
"We invite all families and ask for donations," Villela said. "Every penny goes to families in need through financial aid."
The Holidash Julian Delgadillo Castro Annual Fun Run will take place on Sunday at the Phoenix Rising Professional Stadium at 10 a.m.
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