Over $21,000 poured in for Rocori boys soccer junior midfielder Juan Cortez in less than 24 hours, after he was involved in a serious car accident the morning of November 1. Cortez remains in critical condition, and his community is showing up big time to help.
Community Rises Up for Juan
Karla Velasco, the sister-in-law of Juan’s mother, Viridiana Media Acosta, set up a GoFundMe, and the response has been nothing short of incredible. Rocori head coach Chris Stavros said it best: “Once we found out the response from the Rocori area, not just within the soccer family, but within the school district and the whole community here, it has been amazing.” Messages and donations are coming in from other schools, players, teams, and clubs across Central Minnesota. Seriously, that kind of unity? It’s amazing.
The funds are crucial, too, because Juan is getting treatment two hours away from home. Every dollar raised is going to help his parents cover food, transportation, and a rental car. As the team’s account posted, “As a soccer family, we know we are stronger when we stand together, especially when one of our own is facing a difficult challenge.” They’re asking everyone to keep Juan and his family in their thoughts and prayers, and to consider donating. Every contribution, share, and prayer matters right now.
Beyond the Pitch: Juan’s Impact
Anyone who has watched Rocori soccer knows Juan Cortez. He was one of the leading goalscorers for the Spartans this past season, a relied-upon contributor on the pitch since Coach Stavros first met him way back in fourth grade. Coach Stavros raves about him, saying, “He loves playing soccer. Anyone who has seen him on the field can see his skill.” When Juan pulls on that Rocori jersey, he knows he is representing something special with his teammates.
But it is not just his skill that stands out. “Everyone around here knows him, but what makes Juan special goes beyond what he does on the soccer field,” Stavros shared. “He’s someone his teammates care about and a great young man who has his whole life in front of him.” The bond coaches and players build, it becomes like family. This accident hits hard, and Coach Stavros put it perfectly, “[The accident] reminds us that soccer isn’t the whole world. His teammates are all thinking of him; he’s family.”
The focus right now is Juan. Keep sending those good vibes, thoughts, and prayers his way. This community has rallied in an unbelievable way, and it is a powerful reminder of what really matters when one of our own faces a challenge like this.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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