Not only did Carmen Cusiter make it to the World Cup, she's going to walk onto the field in Brazil this summer.
And the soccer-mad San Jose resident is only 9 years old. “I didn’t think we were going to win!” exclaimed Carmen.
The third-grader and her father, Sean, will spend five days in Brazil this summer and walk onto the field, hand-in-hand with a U.S. Men's National Team member, when the U.S. plays Portugal in Manaus.
But even better news is what's staying at home: $1,000, a grant for a local soccer organization.
Carmen gets the honor from McDonald's, which is sending 25 other kids from across the country to Brazil to escort US players onto the field.
“I’ve always been envious of the kids I get to see do that. I’ve always wondered how does this happen? How do you get to that?” said her father. “For her to get a chance to do this it’s just incredible.”
Clint Johnson, who owns a local McDonald's franchise at 1142 North Capitol Avenue in San Jose, was among the well-wishers to give Carmen the good news on Wednesday.
