EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14/CBS4) — A 7-year-old El Paso soccer fan who was brought to tears by Team USA’s World Cup loss is now holding onto a moment he says he’ll never forget.
Ace Cortez said he had been rooting for Team USA when the loss left him crying.
His mother, Melissa Favela, recorded the moment, and after she shared it online, the video quickly went viral.
“He started off so pumped and excited for the game, and then to see him cry, you know, I did laugh a little. Maybe I don’t understand sports as much as he does, but I posted it, and it started going viral,” Favela told KFOX14/CBS4.
Ace said he was shocked to learn how many people had seen the video, but the attention also led to a special gift from El Paso native and U.S. men’s national team player Ricardo Pepi.
“I felt very happy. I just felt surprised that he actually gave me this jersey,” Ace said.
Pepi, who played in 5 games for the USMNT during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, sent Ace a signed jersey with a message thanking him for his support.
Ace said soccer became one of his favorite sports after playing with friends at school, and he hopes to one day meet Pepi in person.
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