Saturday, August 18th marked the Inaugural Street Soccer USA Cup - Los Angeles, presented by the LA Galaxy Foundation, at Microsoft Square in L.A. LIVE. Featuring over 30 futsal teams, the Street Soccer USA Cup - Los Angeles showcased the dynamic culture connecting soccer and the people of Los Angeles. This event served as the center piece of non-profit Street Soccer USA’s LA programing.
Street Soccer USA founders Rob and Lawrence Cann enrolled over 230 youth participants from Children’s Institute, Operation Progress and The Union Rescue Mission in Watts and Skid Row into their free community club programs and invited the youth to participate in the event.
Participating in the all-day tournament included teams featuring the LA Galaxy Boys and Girls Academy, LA Galaxy Camps and Clinics coaches as well as members from the LA Galaxy Special Olympics Unified Team.
Former LA Galaxy Goalkeeper and Director of the LA Galaxy Girls' Academy Kevin Hartman had the opportunity to speak with the participants about the importance of providing the resources needed to grow the game and support the community.
Hartman was joined by City Council President, Herb J Wesson, LA84 Foundation Director of Partnerships & Development, Oscar Delgado and NBA All-Star and Street Soccer USA Board Member Steve Nash to speak about the positive impact Street Soccer USA provides across the country.
Nash faced off against former MLS Defender of the Year, Jimmy Conrad in a Celebrity King of the Court Match.
This was the fourth venue that has hosted the Street Soccer USA Cup, with prior tournaments in New York City, Philadelphia and San Francisco.
