The LA Galaxy Special Olympics Southern California (SOSC) Unified Soccer Team will look to kick off the 2016 season with a win over the Seattle Sounders FC Special Olympics Unified Soccer Team on Saturday morning. The team kicks off the 2016 campaign with a match at CenturyLink Field Saturday, July 9, beginning at 7:40 a.m. PT.
The Galaxy SOSC Unified Team was officially signed to the club last month and began their preparation through regular training sessions at StubHub Center. Led by coaches Villagran Candice and Moore Karin, the team will look record wins in consecutive road matches after earning a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium last season.
Hanan Zelaya, a 16-year-old midfielder from Los Angeles, said that jersey of his beloved hometown club against Seattle on Saturday will be a once in a lifetime opportunity.
“It’s an honor because LA Galaxy is a really good team,” Zelaya told LAGalaxy.com. “Ever since I was a kid, I’ve loved this team, so wearing the shirt will be awesome.”
The Galaxy’s SOSC Unified Team will face Seattle Sounders FC Unified Team again on Sunday, Sept. 25, in conjunction with the Galaxy’s match against Sounders FC.
The entire 2016 LA Galaxy SOSC Unified Soccer Team roster and bios can be found at www.lagalaxy.com/unified/roster.
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 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.
