LA Galaxy Special Olympics Southern California Unified will face off against San Jose Earthquakes Special Olympics Northern California Unified in a blockbuster doubleheader at StubHub Center, kicking off at 6:15 p.m. PT on Sunday, Aug. 27, following the LA Galaxy’s match against San Jose Earthquakes presented by Herbalife Nutrition at 4 p.m. PT (Fox Sports 1, Fox Deportes).
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Entry for the LA Galaxy SOSC Unified vs. San Jose Earthquakes SONC Unified match is free with all guests required to adhere to stadium clear bag policy.
MLS Special Olympics Unified All-Stars Giovanni Martinez, Jose Conde and LA Galaxy SOSC Unified will take the field immediately after MLS All-Star Giovani dos Santos and the LA Galaxy finish the first Cali Clásico of the season at StubHub Center.
So far, LA Galaxy SOSC have put together an undefeated season, collecting a 5-2 win over San Jose Earthquakes on May 27 and following it up with an 11-3 win over Portland Timbers on Aug. 6.
On May 9, Martinez, Conde and 18 additional 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.
An action-packed schedule promoting soccer for all precedes the Sunday’s doubleheader, as the LA Galaxy Foundation hosts 100 local youth for a Young Athletes Festival on Friday, Aug. 25 at StubHub Center: a soccer clinic promoting social inclusion and the concept of being unified through shared soccer trainings and activities. On Saturday, LA Galaxy SOSC Unified and San Jose Earthquakes SONC Unified will share an evening at LA Live with a Herbalife Nutrition cooking course, followed by a social activity at Lucky Strike.
For a full run of schedule, including match day, see below.
<strong>DATE</strong> |
<strong>TIME</strong> |
<strong>ACTIVITY</strong> |
<strong>LOCATION</strong> |
<p>Friday, Aug. 25</p> |
<p>8 a.m. – 12 p.m.</p> |
<p>Young Athletes Festival</p> |
<p>StubHub Center – Field 7</p> |
<p>Saturday, Aug. 26</p> |
<p>4 – 8 p.m.</p> |
<p>LA Galaxy SOSC Unified + San Jose Earthquakes SONC Unified Social Event</p> |
<p>LA Live</p> |
<p>Sunday, Aug. 27</p> |
<p>6:15 p.m.</p> |
<p>Match Kickoff</p> |
<p>StubHub Center</p> |
