The LA Galaxy Special Olympics Southern California (SOSC) Unified Soccer Team and the Special Olympics Washington Seattle Sounders FC (SOWA) team kicked off the 2016 season Saturday morning at CenturyLink Field, with the hosts earning a 1-0 victory. The two sides will square off again at StubHub Center in conjunction with the LA Galaxy-Seattle Sounders FC MLS matchup on Sunday, Sept. 25.
The game started off with both teams creating chances in the early minutes. LA’s first chance came when forward Fabian Perez created space on the left after beating a Seattle defender. He fired off a shot towards net that rolled just wide. A minute later, Seattle responded with a shot from the edge of the 18 that fell wide of net.
In the 13th minute, Seattle created their best chance of the first half as a combination play at the edge of the area saw the Sounders in on net with just the keeper to beat. Galaxy ‘keeper Logan Jones came off his line to make a save from point blank range as the ball was pushed out for a corner kick before the two teams went into the break in a scoreless tie.
Just minutes into Galaxy forward Adefemi Adeleke nearly put LA ahead with a free kick from 20 yards out. With a curling effort, Adeleke fired a shot on frame, but the ball was tipped over the net by the Sounders FC goalkeeper.
Moments later, Seattle FC created a prime opportunity to take the lead, but were again denied by LA ‘keeper Logan Jones. After a ball was played into the area from out wide, Jones made two consecutive diving saves in front of net to push it out for a corner kick.
The home side eventually took the lead after forward Isidro Prado-Huerta collected a pass from Keifer Hoffman inside the area and slotted a shot inside the near post that found its way past Logan Jones.
LA came within inches of leveling the match just before the final whistle. Seattle cleared a ballot the edge of the 18, where Fabian Perez fired a rocket with one touch. Perez’ long-distance shot bounced off the edge of the near post.
The LA Galaxy SOSC Unified Soccer Team Exchange program is a partnership between the LA Galaxy and Special Olympics Southern California that brings individuals with and without intellectual disabilities, ages 16-25, together as teammates to participate in unique training, competition and social experiences.
The goal of Unified Sports is to bring people with and without disabilities together to compete, learn and grow on the same team – as equals. Dedicated to promoting social inclusion through shared sports training and competition experiences, Unified Sports breaks down stereotypes about people with intellectual disabilities in a fun way. It was inspired by a simple principle: playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding.
BOX SCORE
LA Galaxy SOSC Unified Team 0, Seattle Sounders FC Washington Special Olymics Unified Team 1
Saturday, July 9, 2016
CenturyLink Field – Seattle, Wash.
2016 Special Olympics Unified Team Season
Scoring Summary
SOWA – Isidro Prado-Huerta (Assisted by Keifer Hoffman) 39’
