Chris Wondolowski will walk through the tunnel and out onto the Avaya Stadium pitch with a bit of a different look tonight. The man who made the number 8 Quakes jersey the most common in the concourse and the stands will trot out wearing number 38 for tonight’s match vs. LA Galaxy.
Normally belonging to 20-year-old Quakes midfielder Matheus Silva, the captain chose to make the classy gesture and temporary switch in support of Matheus, who was involved in a scary incident in Lake Tahoe on the Fourth of July. The Quakes released an update regarding his status last week and General Manager Jesse Fioranelli has said he is “excited and relieved to announce that Matheus Silva has awoken from his coma and is fully responsive.”
Below is the full statement released last week. The club is very happy that Matheus is on his way to recovery. Please keep him in your thoughts as he continues his physical therapy! Forward as One.
Matheus Silva and his Reno 1868 FC teammates woke up early Tuesday morning to drive to Lake Tahoe for the Fourth of July in an effort to reserve a spot on the crowded beach. Upon arrival at approximately 6 a.m., Matheus jumped into the cold water and swam out to the buoys offshore.
Matheus began struggling to stay afloat as he returned to shore and called out for help. His teammates rushed into the lake and nearby paddle boarders also came to his aid, pulling the 20-year-old out of the water and bringing him to shore. He did not have a pulse at this time.
A bystander on the beach began performing CPR, eventually reviving Matheus and restoring his breathing and heartbeat while first responders were alerted. He was immediately taken to Barton Memorial Hospital in South Lake Tahoe before being airlifted to Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno, where he was unresponsive.
Earthquakes general manager Jesse Fioranelli and Matheus’ family in Brazil flew to Reno to support him. He remained in a coma until Thursday late morning, when he woke up and was extubated. He is responsive and able to speak. He is expected to undergo a series of outpatient cognitive and physical tests before being released from the Intensive Care Unit. He is scheduled to begin physical therapy on Friday.
“We are incredibly excited and relieved to announce that Matheus Silva has awoken from his coma and is fully responsive,” said Fioranelli. “The entire Earthquakes organization is grateful for the invaluable effort by the doctors, players and staff at Reno 1868 FC and bystanders on the beach that contributed to Matheus being alive and well today.”
