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Pretty Boy #8

1998 - 2008

On Saturday, November 15, 2008, Santa Clara Youth Soccer and Santa Clara Sporting Club lost Jonathan Manzo Chavez, a very special young player to a tragic traffic accident while traveling home with his family from a soccer tournament in Manteca. Jonathan was a member of Sporting’s Boy’s Under 10 Team.

On that Saturday morning, Jonathan, his mother and two siblings travelled to Manteca for a NorCal State Cup qualifying tournament. Although Jonathan’s father had to leave the tournament early to attend work, he still made the drive to watch as much of his son’s games as he could. Jonathan showcased his talents in front of those he loved the most, and celebrated the end of a perfect day of soccer by putting one goal in the back of the net.

Unfortunately, no one knew this was to be Jonathan’s last goal. As the family was traveling home, a driver made an ill fated attempt to pass another car on a two lane road and hit the Manzo Family’s car head on. Amazingly, it was reported as rescue workers tried to take off Jonathan’s Sporting shorts, he pleaded that they not be cut because he had a game the next day. As rescue workers then tried to cut his Sporting jersey, Jonathan yelled to his mom to come take it off. Prior to being air-lifted to the hospital, his mom removed his jersey and he again reminded her to save it, as he was worried it would get lost or ruined. It’s hard to imagine the love this young man had for the game and his team.

We will never forget "Pretty Boy" and his love for soccer, his teammates, and his #8 green and white Sporting jersey!

Jonathan’s Blog with hundreds of messages from our soccer community

Flickr Photo Gallery