Beyond Soccer convenes in Chicago during MLS All Star Week
This week, the Beyond Sport team continued their work out in the US as they travelled to Chicago for the MLS All Star Week. Beyond Soccer was delivered with MLS WORKS - Major League Soccer's community outreach initaitve - celebrating its 10th year of community action and impact.
The event brought together a number of keynote speakers, former players and athlete activists to discuss soccer’s role in bringing about social change.
Attendees heard from MLS Commissioner, Don Garber, who talked about the importance of the League’s work within communities and their commitment to it, as well as his pride in the work done by MLS players through their own philanthropic endeavours.
Hosted by FOX Sports’ MLS talent, Rob Stone and Katie Witham, panels provided attendees with insights into what organizations and brands are doing in the soccer for social change movement, as well as highlighting the work a number of MLS players do within their communities.
Panellists included Wells Fargo Vice President Nick Carey, Vice President and Executive Director of Southern New Hampshire University Scott Durand, Director of Corporate Citizenship at ESPN Angela Woods, and President of the U.S. Soccer Foundation Ed Foster-Simeon.
The President of the U.S. Soccer Foundation talked at length about the importance of giving back to the community and how “sport has the unique power of bringing people together”. He went on to say, “Soccer is a low cost, high impact vehicle to keep youth safe and healthy”.
Players and former players also joined the panel as champions of social causes - the 2016 MLS WORKS Humanitarian of the Year Award winner Matt Lampson spoke about his battle with cancer, and the LampStrong Foundation he founded in 2014 that offers support to patients and their families. United States Women’s National Team star Lori Lindsey helped her team earn the Gold Medal in London 2012, but explained that there are still lots of challenges facing female players and asked what role we can play in pushing the boundaries further for equality in sport.
On the same day as this event, MLS WORKS and ESPN hosted the 4th annual Special Olympics Unified Sports All-Star soccer match at Toyota Park, home of the Chicago Fire FC. The teams were comprised of players with and without disabilities in an epic East v West matchup, which resulted in a thrilling 2-2 draw. The game was livestreamed on all of MLS’ social media channels and showcased the talents and abilities of Special Olympics athletes.
On the Monday, MLS WORKS and the Chicago Fire FC also hosted an All-Star Community Day at Gage Park – a popular community area located on the city’s southwest side. MLS All-Stars including Dax McCarty, Johan Kappelhof,Greg Garza, Tim Howard and others joined MLS WORKS, the Chicago Fire FC, the U.S. Soccer Foundation and Southern New Hampshire University in unveiling two new mini-pitches.
The mini-pitches will provide a safe and accessible place to play, while supporting local youth programming, including the Chicago Fire’s P.L.A.Y.S. Program. Additionally, SNHU awarded a full college scholarship to a deserving member of the local community as part of the dedication ceremony.