For Travis Worra, the 22-year-old goalkeeper from Lancaster, Pa., a recent Saturday in Vancouver marked the accomplishment of a life-long dream.
“I’ve always dreamt of being on the field for D.C. United ever since I was a young guy,” said the former University of New Hampshire keeper. “So tonight when I stepped on the grass for the first time, I got butterflies in my stomach.”
When Bill Hamid, United’s starting goalkeeper, was injured, Worra received a call while training with the Richmond Kickers saying that they needed him to travel to Vancouver, where D.C. United was scheduled to play the Whitecaps.
Following a first half spent on the bench, Worra’s night became memorable shortly thereafter.
Backup keeper Andrew Dyktsra was injured just after the start of the second half, granting Worra his first MLS minutes.
The Black-and-Red weathered an offensive onslaught from the ‘Caps to preserve a 2-1 victory and a clean sheet for Worra. But, the icing on the cake was making his debut in front of two very special fans: his parents.
“We were super excited, because it [playing in Vancouver] meant we could come up here and watch him play,” Alesha Worra said, who now lives in Seattle with her husband Kevin Worra.
Alesha Worra fondly reminisced about her son’s love and dedication for the game from an early age. When he was seven years old he called his coach to complain when practice was canceled for rain.
For the rookie goalkeeper, he’s taking his career one day at a time.
“Every day I’m making steps to further myself and more importantly further the club,” he said. “If the team needs me, I’m ready.”
As a backup goalkeeper, sometimes the field can seem very far away. But then again, so did Vancouver.
