The LA Galaxy Special Olympics Southern California (SOSC) Unified Soccer Team earned a dramatic comeback draw Sunday afternoon at StubHub Center against the Seattle Sounders FC Special Olympics Washington (SOWA) Unified Team. The match concludes the Galaxy’s SOSC Unified Team season, having also faced Seattle in July on the road.
Following the LA Galaxy-Seattle Sounders FC MLS match at StubHub Center, both sides took the field in what would be their final action of the season. Seattle got on the board first with a first-half goal to give the visitors a 1-0 lead at halftime before heading into the final 30 minutes of play. After a back-and-forth contest throughout second-half action, the Galaxy’s SOSC Unified team earned a dramatic penalty with just minutes left in the match.
A Galaxy forward was taken down inside the 18 by a Sounders Unified Team defender, and the referee immediately pointed to the spot. With just minutes left in the match, forward Adefemi Adeleke stepped up to the spot and calmly slotted the ball low and to the goalkeeper’s right side to level the score as the two teams earned a draw on the afternoon.
Following the game, LA Galaxy Head Coach and General Manager Bruce Arena and President Chris Klein were on hand to commend each team and present the players from both teams with their medals for the completion of their season.
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.