CARSON, Calif. (Thursday, June 23, 2016) – The LA Galaxy have signed 20 new players, the club announced today. These 20 players make up the 2016 LA Galaxy Special Olympics Southern California (SOSC) Unified Soccer Team that will compete against other MLS-affiliated Special Olympics Unified Teams during the year.
“We are thrilled to add 20 of the most talented players in the country to represent the Galaxy’s Special Olympics Southern California Unified Team,” said Head Coach and General Manager Bruce Arena. “We think this is a dynamic group both on and off the field that will represent our club as the premier soccer club in North America. We are confident this team will find success through their hard work, dedication and teamwork.”
A link to each new signings’ bio can be found on www.lagalaxy.com/unified/roster. All 20 players were on hand for a special ceremony at StubHub Center’s Champions Lounge to announce their signed professional contracts with LA Galaxy coach Bruce Arena. LA Galaxy midfielder Steven Gerrard also attended the signging and presented each player with their new LA Galaxy jersey and offered support to the new signings ahead of the team’s upcoming season. Exclusive interviews, videos and additional content on the ceremony for the Galaxy’s SOSC Unified Team can be found on www.lagalaxy.com.
“I came to the biggest club in MLS for the opportunity to play alongside world-class players like these,” said Gerrard. “These signings are yet another indication of the Galaxy’s ambition to compete for championships year in and year out. I am honored to call them my teammates.”
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.
The players signed will attend regular practices starting this month at StubHub Center. The team will face off against the Seattle Sounders FC Unified Soccer team on Saturday, July 9, at CenturyLink Field in conjunction with the first team match that weekend.
Following an open tryout, players for this Special Olympics team were 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.
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.
