The Los Angeles Galaxy Foundation have brought an Under-15 boys team from L'Athletique d'Haiti, one of the organizations the Galaxy and the Galaxy Foundation visited during their trip to Haiti, to participate in the Schwan’s USA CUP in Blaine, MN in partnership with The Sanneh Foundation.
The L'Athletique d'Haiti team arrived with 15 players on July 9 and will play three preliminary round games, the first of which took place this morning with a 4-0 victory over North Metro AJAX. In the tournament, L'Athletique d'Haiti will also take on the Edina Sting (7/14) and the Midland Fusion 95 (7/15). The top teams from each group will advance to a playoff round.
In March of this year, the Galaxy Foundation traveled to Port-au-Prince, Haiti and delivered soccer equipment and supplies to L’Athletique d'Haiti (Athletes of Haiti) sports program, which gives children from some of the poorest neighborhoods an opportunity to get off the streets, play sports and receive a daily meal, as well as other organizations in need.
The Haitian Initiative, a joint project of the Galaxy Foundation and The Sanneh Foundation, was developed after the March 2010 visit to Haiti following the devastating earthquake. Through this partnership, the Foundations will continue to provide soccer-based youth programming, equipment and aid to Haiti during the rebuilding process.
Some of the soccer gear collected from the Galaxy's July 22 Equipment Drive, as well as equipment donated through The Sanneh Foundation's Kick It Back collection at the USA Cup, will benefit L'Athletique d'Haiti.
The Schwan’s USA CUP, presented by PUMA, strives to promote friendly competition, growth of character and international understanding through the world’s most popular sport, soccer. This year, 911 teams will take part in the eight-day tournament from July 10-17. A total of 16 countries and 21 states will be represented. The tournament will take place at the National Sports Center (NSC) in Blaine, Minn.
Tonight, the Schwan’s USA CUP is holding its Olympic-style Opening Ceremonies including a parade of teams, skydivers, fireworks and a concert featuring Panoramic Blue. The L'Athletique d'Haiti Under-15 Boys team will have the honor of being the final team in the parade to walk into NSC Stadium.
The Los Angeles Galaxy Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to supporting and creating educational, health, and recreational activities and programs for children in southern California, with a specific focus on assisting underserved and at-risk youth. The Galaxy Foundation is committed to encouraging, educating, and empowering the children in the community.
For more information regarding the Galaxy Foundation’s Haitian Initiative, please contact the LA Galaxy Communications department at 310-630-2200. Visit www.lathletiquedhaiti.com or www.thesannehfoundation.org for more information on these organizations.
