CARSON, Calif. – Gyasi Zardes helped spearhead the creation of futsal courts in his beloved Hawthorne to serve his community and the investment is paying dividends.
On Tuesday, the LA Galaxy announced the signing of 20 new players to the club’s third edition of the Special Olympics Unified Team. On that 20-man roster is Hawthorne’s Juan Ortega, a frequent participant in the weekly pickup games hosted by Zardes and the Hawthorne Police Department.
“Those futsal courts in Hawthorne are benefitting kids in a crucial way, and this is a prime example,” Zardes told LA Galaxy Insider. “Juan attends the program that we hold every Thursday and look at him now, he’s helping out with the Special Olympics team, and it shows you what type of impact those three courts make.”
For Ortega, the futsal courts at Hawthorne Memorial Park, which were created as part of a partnership between the LA Galaxy Foundation and Chevrolet FC, have quickly become a formative place for his personal growth.
“I learned so much there that I’ve used both on the field and off it as well. I learned to have a bigger personality, and it helped me a lot,” Ortega said. “I’m hoping to grow even more with this team.
"It means a lot to be able to represent the Galaxy with another Hawthorne native. It is just amazing. I just can’t wait to be on the field.'
Ortega, 18, will be paired with Zardes in the Unified program’s new mentor system which allows Galaxy unified team members to receive guidance from members of the club’s first team.
“Being a Hawthorne native and seeing him join the Galaxy is a huge honor," Zardes said. "Particularly with Juan, this Special Olympics team is a great team, and I was able to have a bond with some of the members last year, and I’m looking forward to see them travel and play against other MLS clubs."
The Galaxy unified team will play three games this season taking on the San Jose Earthquakes on May 27 at Avaya Stadium before facing off with the Portland Timbers on Aug. 5 in Portland. They'll round out the slate at home against the Earthquakes on Aug. 27.
"Being able to experience this process is amazing," Ortega said. "We get to fly with them and experience what they experience. We get to play on the fields that they play on, so it’s an amazing experience. I just can’t wait."
