Crew midfielder Agustín Viana hasn't slept much the past few nights.
Shortly after the Black & Gold's loss in Chicago on Saturday night, Viana was notified that his wife, Nany, had gone into labor with the couple's third child back in Columbus. The American-born Uruguayan midfielder worked with Crew Director of Operations Tucker Walther during the early morning hours on Sunday to return to Columbus as soon as possible.
A few hours later, Viana caught a taxi from the team hotel to the airport and returned to Port Columbus International Airport at 9:00 a.m. ET, just in time to get to the hospital for the arrival of his baby daughter.
Sofia Viana was born at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 21, 2013.
Born in Chicago to Uruguayan graduate students, Viana has a greater appreciation for his own birth in America after welcoming his daughter on U.S. soil.
"It sounds strange, but 30 years ago, it was the same for my parents when I was born. Now again, the American country means a lot to us," the midfielder said Tuesday.
"I understand a lot of things now. When my parents told me,'You did not spend that much time in America, but America gave us a huge opportunity. They adopted us.' Now for me, I understand all the things. American people are great."
Despite the lack of sleep that comes with a newborn, Viana was all smiles on Tuesday and pleased to report Nany and Sofia have come home happy and healthy.