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London club throws support behind soccer dad after aneurysm mid-game

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Two weeks ago, Eddie Lopez was in Ottawa watching one of his daughters play soccer with London TFC in the Ontario Player Development League.

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That joy was cut short when the local barber and chef suffered a brain aneurysm that has him fighting for his life in the nation’s capital. The club and local soccer community is rallying behind the Lopez-Davis family, who remains at Eddie’s side, with a fundraiser held at FC London’s final League1 Ontario premier division match Saturday against Alliance United.

Kickoff is 7:30 pm at Tricar Field (3800 Col. Talbot Rd.).

“They have been with us for years and this is a soccer family,” London TFC director of soccer Dave DeBenedictis said. “Everyone is trying to reach out and be a part of this to help. We pray every day Eddie recovers. He and his wife are sole proprietors so the little we can do is financially help out until he is back on his feet.”

The club will donate 50 percent of ticket sales directly to Lopez’s family, hold a 50/50 draw in his name at the match, pre-sell T-shirts and accept donations on his behalf. Click this link to purchase tickets.

An online fundraiser had as of Tuesday raised more than $42,000 toward its goal of $50,000.