Getting Fredy Montero's match-worn jersey latest thrill for Sounders' fan

March 21, 7:18 PMSeattle Soccer ExaminerDavid Falk

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Joe Olson thought his year in soccer was lost when he finished second in the www.GOALSeattle.com Sounders FC flag contest. He needed to win to be able to get a season ticket in the south end of Qwest Field with the standing supporters at Seattle Sounders FC matches. His flag came in second.

It was then that things took a nice turn for Joe. Joe Saarheim, whose flag had finished first (yes, two Joes) decided to give his prize to the Joe who needed the season ticket more. The whole Flag Contest story can be read here.

Joe Olson's "Chief Seattle" Flag. (Jenni Conner, GOALSeattle.com)

So what happens on Sounders opening night? The Joe who almost didn't get tickets...you guessed it...catches Fredy Montero's jersey after the two-goal scorer tossed it into the stands in thanks for the loud crowd. Joe had been waving his second place "Chief Sealth" flag all night, along with a giant Colombia flag. Fredy noticed the flag of his home country and ended up by Joe because of it.

Joe wrote this in the GOALSeattle forums after the event:

"I showed up on Thursday with a roughly 6x9 Columbian flag stashed under my shirt. I had one mission on my mind: support Fredy and Jhon (Hurtado, Sounders Colombian defender). I waved this flag with all my heart and soul. I let others wave it as well. Some knew what the flag was about, even asking if I was Colombian myself. Some had no clue but quickly caught on when I explained the significance.

When the game was over - after Fredy made our dreams come true with the opening strike, and after he buried the dagger ball into the corner of the net right in front of me - the team came down to the south goal to thank the crowd. With no voice and little strength remaining I picked up my flag, and with a whole lot of heart I waved that thing like my life depended on it.

Fredy Montero: where is his jersey? (Ted Warren, AP)

As he clapped to the crowd and suffered multiple and repeated rousings from his teammates, Fredy caught a glimpse of me and my flag. First he pointed, then a thumbs up, then a fist pump all directed solely at me. At that point my life was complete! The team left the field and many of us started to ponder life after the first game...but then something happened: A couple minutes later, Sounders started coming back out of the tunnel. Before I knew it I was high-fiving Seba, Sanna and it all became a blur.

Suddenly, as I struggled to grasp what I was seeing, my Columbian flag shook and I looked down to see none other than Fredy Montero. He was standing in front of my flag as it hung down over the railing, almost to the ground. As a swarm of camera men collapsed on him, Fredy turned, looked up at me, and extended his hand. I grabbed it and said the only thing I could think to say, "Gracias, Fredy! Gracias, gracias, Fredy!" And that was all I could really say. Not because of my extreme lack of ability with the Spanish language but simply because there was nothing more I could do at that point than thank him.

Joe gets his jersey, Fredy kisses his country's flag. (Joe Warren, AP)

There was one more twist to this tale. Fredy had removed his rave green jersey and stood there triumphantly in his white undershirt. In a series of events that are still a blissful blur to me, Fredy tossed his jersey over his shoulder....

When I came-to, I held a cold, soaking wet piece of brightly colored fabric in my hands. Before so much as one thought entered my head, my face was buried in the shirt and I was nearly in tears. Those around me grabbed my shoulders, screamed in my face, reveled in the moment with me. I let out some guttural bellow I didn't know I was capable of and I stood there with this cloth - the field now void of team members - wondering if my reality was a myth, a legend, or simply an incredible dream."

This type of story you just can't make up. No one would believe it. Well, maybe Joe Roth would. He is still connected with Disney...