NEW YORK (May 22, 2019) – Major League Soccer announced today the launch of the 2nd annual Soccer For All Month. While the commitment to Soccer For All is ongoing, Soccer For All month showcases the collective efforts taking place throughout the League to foster more inclusive communities.
MLS clubs will conduct various activities in their local communities now through June 30 to support Soccer For All month including: Special Olympics Unified Sports® Soccer Exchange Matches presented by MLS WORKS and ESPN, anti-bullying programming, girls and women leadership events, LGBTQ Pride Nights and parades, health and wellness activities, as well as soccer clinics and events for homeless youth, power soccer teams (soccer teams for power wheelchair users), displaced individuals and youth from underserved communities.
MLS players will wear Soccer For All shirts and adidas pride training tops during the procession and national anthems to support the month-long promotion on-field. Fans can purchase Soccer For All shirts at MLSstore.com to benefit MLS WORKS charitable partners. The adidas pride training tops can be purchased at select stadium retail locations beginning on May 24 or at MLSstore.com beginning in June.
“Soccer For All month provides a unique opportunity to highlight our collective efforts to foster inclusion and diversity in our stadiums and communities,” said JoAnn Neale, MLS President & Chief Administrative Officer. “We are extremely proud of the deep commitment of our clubs to make everyone feel welcome at our games.”
Soccer For All, launched in March of 2018 through MLS WORKS, Major League Soccer’s social responsibility platform, signifies that everyone is welcome to MLS regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status and emphasizes the League’s commitment to drive positive social change and end discrimination.
The season-long campaign kicked off in March with the launch of the latest public service announcement (PSA). Featuring all 24 clubs and including MLS fans, the new PSA highlights the diversity of our players and fans, reinforcing the message that all are welcome.
In addition to Soccer For All month activations, Major League Soccer and its clubs are conducting initiatives season-long that provide inclusive opportunities for members of the local community, including sensory rooms in-stadium, first-team soccer experiences for individuals with and without intellectual disabilities, mini-pitch builds and youth soccer programming, and support of commemorative awareness months including Black History Month, LGBTQ Pride Month and Hispanic Heritage Month.
To join the conversation, fans are encouraged to use #SoccerForAll on social media and to follow @MLSWORKS on Twitter and Instagram to see how clubs are activating in the community. For more information on Soccer For All, and other MLS WORKS initiatives, visit MLSsoccer.com/mlsworks.
