The Special Olympics Unified All-Star Game presented by MLS WORKS, ESPN and Coca-Cola will take place this Wednesday, August 10 at the National Sports Center in Blaine, Minnesota where MLS Greats will serve as celebrity coaches for the game.
Representing Vancouver Whitecaps FC will be Coquitlam soccer player Amy Nelson and volunteer coach Maya Lewis from Special Olympics BC. They are also joined by Megan Pollock of SOBC as chaperone.
- 1:30 PM PT
- Watch on Twitter, mlssoccer.com and MLS app
- National Sports Center (Blaine, MN)
“Two of my passions in life are helping people and soccer. I have played soccer for about 14 years, and it has been a big part of my life," said Lewis. "I am so grateful to have been able to work with Special Olympics and be a part of this incredible community and program. Being able to put two of my passions together through this program has been amazing, and I hope to continue to be a part of Special Olympics for many years to come!”
“Special Olympics BC is grateful and excited for this remarkable experience for Amy and Maya to show their skills and their inspiring spirit of inclusion. We know they will be outstanding representatives of SOBC and Whitecaps FC both on and off the pitch,” added Lois McNary, SOBC vice president, sport. “The Whitecaps and MLS champion Special Olympics athletes and treat them like the superstars they are, it sets a game-changing example of respect and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities on and off the pitch.”
The Unified All-Star Game is part of the season-long Special Olympics Unified Soccer Exchange program that provides opportunities for Unified soccer teams to participate in a first-team MLS experience. Unified soccer teams travel to MLS markets to compete in home and away exhibition matches scheduled in conjunction with MLS first-team matches, and receive unique experiences throughout the season, such as signing days, jersey unveils, buddy programs with MLS first-team players, and gameday recognition. The Unified Soccer Exchange program not only provides Special Olympics athletes with top-level training and competitive experiences, but also excellent life experiences they might not otherwise engage in.
The event is free and open to the public and will be streamed on ESPN3. The West and East Unified All-Star teams will also be recognized on-field during the MLS All-Game presented by Target taking place at Allianz Field at 5:30 pm PT.
Tickets are available for purchase at SeatGeek.com.
