LA Galaxy Special Olympics Southern California Unified team finishes 2017 season undefeated

LOS ANGELES (Sunday, Aug. 27, 2017) – The LA Galaxy Special Olympics Southern California (SOSC) Unified Team finished off the 2017 season Sunday evening with a 4-0 win over the San Jose Earthquakes Special Olympics Northern California Unified Team. The match marked the end of the Galaxy SOSC Unified Team season as they finished with a 3-0-0 record, 20 goals scored and a +15 goal differential during their three games this season.


“We are incredibly proud of the efforts from all of the players on the LA Galaxy SOSC Unified Team this season,” said LA Galaxy President Chris Klein. “Their commitment to working hard, playing for each other and promoting unity and inclusion through the sport of soccer have been exemplary this year. We are honored to have this group represent the LA Galaxy.”


The LA Galaxy SOSC Unified Team, led by MLS Special Olympics Unified All-Stars Giovanni Martinez and Jose Conde, took the field at StubHub Center immediately after the LA Galaxy hosted the San Jose Earthquakes in the final California Clasico of the 2017 MLS Regular Season. Conde, along with Carlos Arriaza, Dauda Opejin and Logan Jones, all tallied on the evening to give the team a 4-0 win in their final match of the season.


The team has previously earned a 5-2 win over the San Jose Earthquakes Unified Team in their opening match of the season before a 11-3 victory over the Portland Timbers Unified Team in their second game. Both matches were played on the road, with Sunday’s contest marking the team’s only home match at StubHub Center this year.


2017 LA Galaxy Special Olympics Southern California Unified Team Results
Date/TimeResultLocation

Saturday, May 27

LA Galaxy SOSC Unified Team 5

San Jose SONC Unified Team 2

Avaya Stadium – San Jose, California

Saturday, Aug. 5

LA Galaxy SOSC Unified Team 11

Portland Timbers Unified Team 3

Adidas Village – Portland, Oregon

Sunday, Aug. 27

LA Galaxy SOSC Unified Team 4

San Jose SONC Unified Team 0

StubHub Center – Los Angeles, California


2017 LA Galaxy Special Olympics Southern California Unified Team
NumberFirst NameLast NameAgeHeightPositionHometown
3

Joshua

Wade

25

5' 8"

Midfield

Pasadena

4

Giovanni

Martinez

17

5' 8"

Defense/Goalie

Huntington Park

5

Josue

Foster

20

5' 5"

Defense

Los Angeles

6

Daniel

Garcia

20

5' 9"

Defense

Los Angeles

7

Jose

Gomez

19

5' 6"

Midfield

Lynwood

8

Carlos

Arriaza

23

5' 7"

Midfield

Costa Mesa

9

Dauda

Opejin

18

5' 9"

Forward

Irvine

10

Carlos

Madrigal

18

5' 8"

Midfield

Huntington Park

11

Josue

Garcia

22

5' 9"

Midfield

Norwalk

12

Brianda

Rivera

19

5' 1"

Forward

Palmdale

13

Logan

Jones

20

6' 2"

Goalie/Forward

Simi Valley

15

Lauryn

De La Torre

22

5' 7"

Defense

Newbury Park

16

Demi

Tavarez

24

5' 8"

Midfield

Long Beach

17

Armando

Guzman

20

5' 7"

Midfield

La Puente

18

Oliver

Fiust

19

5' 4"

Midfield

Long Beach

19

Jose

Conde

20

5' 3"

Forward

Los Angeles

23

Matthieu

Nunez

18

5'

Defense

Los Angeles

26

Juan

Ortega

18

5' 9"

Defense

Hawthorne

28

Lauren Nicole

Hernandez

20

5.4"

Forward

Hacienda Heights

85

Armando

Saucedo

23

5' 8"

Defense

San Pedro


On May 9 this year, 20 players were named to the 2017 LA Galaxy SOSC Unified roster. Supported by Herbalife Nutrition, the LA Galaxy SOSC Unified Soccer team 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.


After participating in an open tryout earlier in the season, the 20 players were selected based on three criteria: (1) their ability to value and work with teammates of all abilities, (2) their commitment to the Play Unified experience and their teammates, and (3) their understanding of the game of soccer and its rules.


The goal of Unified Sports is to bring people with and without intellectual 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.


LA Galaxy single-game tickets for the remainder of the 2017 MLS season remain 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.

LA Galaxy Season Ticket Memberships for the 2018 Major League Soccer season are now available. Season Ticket Members and Galaxy fans can go to lagalaxy.com/since96 to secure their 2018 LA Galaxy Season Ticket Memberships, beginning as low as just $285 per seat ($15 per match). In addition to visiting lagalaxy.com/since96, fans can secure 2018 Season Ticket Memberships at StubHub Center by visiting the Galaxy tent atop Section 104 or 126 at any LA Galaxy home game. Fans can also call 1.877.3GALAXY (342.5299) and press 1 when prompted to secure Season Ticket Memberships.