CARSON, Calif. (Tuesday, April 5, 2016) – The LA Galaxy announced today that the club will host tryouts for the 2016 LA Galaxy Special Olympics Southern California (SOSC) Unified Team on Saturday, April 23, at StubHub Center, beginning at 12:30 p.m. PT. Participants, who will become a part of the 2016 LA Galaxy SOSC Unified Team to compete against other MLS-affiliated Special Olympics Unified Teams during the year, will receive two tickets to the LA Galaxy’s match against Real Salt Lake that evening.
Players wishing to participate in tryouts can click here to download the registration form.
The LA Galaxy SOSC Unified Soccer Team Exchange program 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.
Players for this coed Special Olympics team will be selected based on 3 key factors: (1) their ability to work with and value teammates of all abilities, (2) their commitment to the Play Unified experience and to their fellow teammates, and lastly (3) their understanding of the game and rules of soccer. The LA Galaxy SOSC team will play matches against other MLS-affiliated Special Olympics Unified Soccer teams from other states. This year, the matchup will be against the Seattle Sounders Special Olympics Washington.
After team selection, players will be required to officially register as a Special Olympics athlete or a Special Olympics Unified Partner with all players required to attend and participate in all team activities: practices, games and social events on match weekends. In addition, players will also need to provide their own transportation to all team activities as well as soccer equipment (soccer cleats and shin guards).
Last year, the Galaxy debuted their first-ever LA Galaxy SOSC Unified Team travel team, which competed against the FC Dallas Unified Team at Toyota Stadium on August 16, 2015 before their second competition against FC Dallas at StubHub Center. In 2014, the Galaxy formed their first-ever SOSC Unified Team, which hosted the Colorado Rapids in a matchup at StubHub Center. In 2016, the Galaxy SOSC Unified Team will face Seattle Sounders FC in a full exchange, with the teams set to play in Los Angeles and Seattle during the course of the year.
The goal of Unified Sports is to bring people with and without 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.
The tryouts will take place on Field #5 at StubHub Center, the first field on the right as you use Entrance Gate A, off Avalon Blvd.
WHO:
- Tryout Participants
- LA Galaxy staff
WHAT:
- LA Galaxy SOSC Unified Soccer Team Tryouts
WHEN:
- Saturday, April 23, 2016
- 12:00-12:30 p.m. – Player Check-in
- 12:30-5:00 p.m. – Tryouts
WHERE:
- StubHub Center - Field 5
18400 Avalon Blvd.
Carson, Calif. 90746
