CARSON, Calif. (Monday, Aug. 8, 2016) – The LA Galaxy will host Special Olympics Night this Saturday, Aug. 13, at StubHub Center when the team takes on the Colorado Rapids at 7:30 p.m. PT (Time Warner Cable SportsNet, Time Warner Cable Deportes). The match, presented by Tire Pros, will celebrate the Galaxy’s 2016 Special Olympics Southern California (SOSC) Unified Soccer Team which is set to face Seattle Sounders Special Olympics Washington Unified Soccer Team on Sept. 25.
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The Galaxy will introduce each member of the 2016 LA Galaxy SOSC Unified Team on Saturday during a special ceremony prior to kickoff against the Colorado Rapids. Additionally, fans can meet the athletes before the match at the LA Galaxy Foundation booth at SoccerFest. The LA Galaxy SOSC Unified Team were signed to contracts in June after being selected to the team following tryouts earlier this year.
LA will also host the inaugural LA Galaxy Special Needs Soccer Festival prior to kickoff on Saturday. Athletes with physical or intellectual disabilities can visit StubHub Center Field 5 beginning at 3 p.m. PT. All athletes that sign-up for the festival will receive two complimentary tickets to the Galaxy-Rapids match that evening. The goal of the festival celebration is to build a community of inclusion and acceptance, while highlighting resources that allows for athletes of all abilities the opportunity to play the beautiful game of soccer. To sign-up for this event or for more information on the LA Galaxy Special Needs Festival, visit www.lagalaxy.com/community/festival.
The LA Galaxy SOSC Unified Soccer Team will face off against the Seattle Sounders FC Special Olympics Unified Team on Sept. 25 following the LA Galaxy-Seattle Sounders FC match at StubHub Center. In their first match this year, the Galaxy SOSC Unified Team traveled to Washington for a match against the Sounders Unified Team.
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.
| 2016 LA Galaxy SOSC Unified Team Roster | ||
|---|---|---|
| Jersey No. | First | Last |
2 | Hanan | Zelaya |
4 | Adefemi | Adeleke |
5 | Edgar | Estudillo |
6 | Armando | Guzman |
7 | Oliver | Fiust |
8 | Malik | Franks |
9 | Daniel | Garcia |
10 | Keven | Ramirez |
11 | Fabian | Perez |
12 | Josue | Foster |
13 | Logan | Jones |
15 | Louis | Guan |
16 | Rafael | Lopez |
19 | Giovanni | Martinez |
21 | Jose | Conde |
24 | Said | Garay |
25 | Joseph | Silva |
26 | Francisco | Sanchez |
93 | Anthony | Davila |
99 | Mudashiru | Hassan |
TECHNICAL STAFF:
- Head Coach: Villagran Candice
- Head Coach: Moore Karin
- Team Admin: Erdmann Melissa
- Assistant Coach: Compton Jesse
- Assistant Coach: Ortiz Cristian
- Assistant Coach: Zepeda Edwin
LA Galaxy single game tickets for the 2016 MLS season are available for purchase now. Galaxy fans can go to www.lagalaxy.com/tickets or call 877.3GALAXY (342.5299) for information, purchasing, and special offers.
About Special Olympics Southern California
Special Olympics Southern California enriches the lives of more than 26,006 athletes with intellectual disabilities and their communities through sports, education, and athlete health. Founded in 1969 by Olympic decathlon gold medalist Rafer Johnson, Special Olympics Southern California provides free year-round sports training and competitions to children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Participation develops improved physical fitness and motor skills and greater self-confidence. Special Olympics has become the world’s largest movement dedicated to promoting respect, acceptance, inclusion, and human dignity for people with intellectual disabilities. Using sports as the catalyst and programming around health and education, Special Olympics is fighting inactivity, injustice and intolerance. As a result, people with intellectual disabilities become accepted and valued members of their communities, which leads to a more respectful and inclusive society for all. Special Olympics Southern California has earned a 4-star ranking from Charity Navigator for exceeding industry standards. This ranking is the highest Charity Navigator offers to an organization and is given because Special Olympics has demonstrated strong financial health and a commitment to accountability and transparency. Learn how you can get involved at www.sosc.org.
About LA Galaxy Foundation
The LA Galaxy Foundation, the 501c(3) organization associated with the LA Galaxy, is dedicated to assisting the community in which the team lives, works, and plays. LA Galaxy players, coaches, alumni and staff spend countless hours giving back to the community at local schools, hospitals, fields, and events. The LAGF continually strives to aid organizations that meet its mission of supporting and creating education, health, and soccer-related activities and programs for youth in the greater Los Angeles area. For more information, visit www.lagalaxy.com/community/foundation.
