A friendly match against Nigeria was the final stage of America's "send-off series."
One last chance to see the boys on the pitch. One last match, before the stakes got higher.
Before the match is a tradition. It isn't unique to send-off matches, and it isn't new. It's always special.
Soccer players don't walk on to the field alone. They have help. After a green light from the McDonald's Player Escort Program, and help from their soccer coach, a few Macon kids marched out with some of the world's best before the match in Jacksonville, Fla.
"I got kind of nervous because when we practiced there was like five people," said Ian Young, 11. "Then when we came back out there was a whole bunch of people."
Ian is the son of coach Bernard Young. When he says there were a whole bunch of people, he means there were more than 50,000 fans at Everbank Field.
Young and his teammates, John and Gabriel Haithcock, took in the glow that national players feel before every match.
"I'm going to remember being excited, and my heart beating really fast at how excited I was," said John, 9.
There was a lot to be excited about. U.S. forward Jozy Altidore made the match his return party, after struggling in earlier matches. Altidore took the field, and the Nigerians by storm, with two goals in the 2-1 victory.
These young footballers were in the realm of their biggest heroes.
Young's brother, Aidan, walked stride for stride with captain Clint Dempsey, who shows that the players aren't just going through a routine. While the kids are giddy, the players get perspective.
On his official Instagram account, Dempsey said walking with Aidan would remind him "to see the game through the eyes of a kid."
Those eyes watch the game's big stars, trying to learn and improve. Ian is a goalkeeper, and wants to match Tim Howard's fire in the net.
"Some people say that I really need to work on talking in the goal. They say i'm really quiet in the goal."
At 11 years old, Ian has plenty of time to work on his goal presence. Gabriel is 10, and hopes to be on the other side of the player - escort continuum when he grows up.
"I'm going to remember the joy I had, and if I get to do the same thing, and I'm the actual player this time, give another kid the same joy."
Should they make it, there's one more lesson to pass on, from the pros: Always look at the game through the eyes of a kid.
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