Community
The countdown to playoffs is in full force, but clubs aren't letting up on efforts to make a difference in their community off the field. Here's your chance to catch up on an action packed week.
Close to 1,000 community volunteers, including 80 members of the Portland Timbers staff, coaches and players came together for Stand Together Week last week, donating over 1,400 hours of service to the Portland community. Stand Together Week is the first of its kind, not only in Portland, but nationwide. Read more.
On Wednesday, Brian Ching and Kroger honored the eight members of the Houston community who were chosen as Ching's Champions. The Ching's Champions initiative was started by Ching and Kroger as a way to pay tribute to those members of the Houston community who are performing selfless acts and asking for little in return. Read more.
Rapids stepping out to stop diabetes
Crew in the Community October 17-27
Dynamo's Brian Ching honors champions in Houston community
LA Galaxy Foundation to Host Halloween at The Home Depot Center
Chivas USA urges fans to bid pink
Stand Together Week has far reaching impact across Portland
Galaxy host After School All-Stars
Chivas USA Year in Review: Black Army
Houston Dynamo host Calen's Big Play bowling event
Revolution host Breast Cancer Awareness match
Houston Dynamo host Soccer Night Out
Rapids host fan appreciation night with jersey-off-our-backs
Vancouver players return home from 2012 Homeless World Cup in Mexico
New York Red Bulls honor youth coach Mike Jones
D.C. United players visit Walter Reed Medical Center
United Reads returns for fall 2012
D.C. United Academy participates in Race for a Cause
Crew Cat participates in fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio
Video: Stand Together Week Day 7
Stand Together Week Journal Day 7
Video: Stand Together Week Day 6
Stand Together Week Journal Day 6
Video: Stand Together Week Day 5
Stand Together Week Journal Day 5
For more community news from around the League, visit the MLS W.O.R.K.S. news section.
For the last two years, millions of Americans have displayed the color purple on Spirit Day, which is today, in order to speak out against bullying. Spirit Day was started in 2010 by teenager Brittany McMillan as a response to the buillied young people who had taken their own lives.
Spirit Day is observed by people from all walks of life, with a wide variety of political and religious backgrounds. Learn more about Spirit Day.
Join Major League Soccer and Take the Pledge not to tolerate discrimination of any kind. DON'T CROSS THE LINE!
Houston Dynamo forward Macoumba "Mac" Kandji, 27, is excited to be part of Nothing But Nets night at this Saturday's Major League Soccer game between the Dynamo and the Philadelphia Union. The United Nations Foundation's Nothing But Nets campaign has joined forces with athletes from the very beginning, partnering with MLS W.O.R.K.S. to reach new audiences in the fight against malaria.
Born in Senegal and raised in Gambia, Mac understands better than most the effect malaria can have on families: Mac was hospitalized with the disease when he was fourteen.
"In my case I was very lucky," he said. "I thought I was going to die."
Story by Susannah Rosenblatt. Read the full story here.
You can join the fight against, too. It just takes $10 to send a net and save a life. Visit NothingButNets.net to learn more and www.HoustonDynamo.com/nbn to see Mac in action!
Major League Soccer is proud to support the FARE Network Action Weeks, which unites supporters, clubs, ethnic minorities and communities affected by other forms of discrimination across the continent in a concerted effort to make discrimination a thing of the past.
From October 16-31, FARE Network will host 500 activities in 40 countries, which will take place across all levels of the game from grassroots and fan initiatives to major professional leagues and FA's. The idea behind the Action Weeks is that a wide range of initiatives and activities that address local problems within their club or community and join groups across the continent to present a unified stand against discrimination in the game. All 32 teams of the UEFA Champions League participate in the campaign, reaching more than 600,000 fans directly at the matches and millions more via live broadcasts through television. The number of participating professional leagues has increased to 14. Follow FARE on Twitter (@farenet) and use the hashtag #footballpeople to tweet about Action Weeks.
Major League Soccer is committed to supporting the communities where we live and play our games, and to providing an environment in which our staff, clubs, players, partners and supporters are treated with dignity and respect. We will not tolerate discrimination, bias, prejudice or harassment of any kind.
Join Major League Soccer and Take the Pledge...DON'T CROSS THE LINE!
Learn more about FARE Action Weeks
FARE Action Weeks 2012: List of activities
As part of Soccer Kicks Cancer, Major League Soccer and clubs throughout the League have been doing their part to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research and treatment during the month of October.
Today kicks off the MLS W.O.R.K.S. Breast Cancer Awareness online auction and your chance to bid on commemorative memorabilia from some of your favorite MLS players and teams. Some of the items featured are:
Sporting Kansas City 2012 Breast Cancer Awareness jersey signed by Graham Zusi
Various team signed photos from clubs wearing limited edition Breast Cancer Awareness t-shirts (limited edition Breast Cancer Awareness t-shirts also available for bids as part of the auction)
Game-used pink soccer balls from teams
Partial proceeds from the online auction will benefit the National Breast Cancer Foundation and Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. Interested in making a donation? Click HERE to donate in the U.S. and HERE to donate in Canada.
Don't forget to purchase your limited edition Breast Cancer Awareness adidas products including scarves, sweat bands, hats, t-shirts and replica balls at select retailers throughout North America, including MLS stadium shops and MLSGear.com. When you shop on MLSGear.com, you can donate $1 in support of MLS W.O.R.K.S. Soccer Kicks Cancer.
Clubs continue to focus efforts on supporting Breast Cancer Awarenes Month in October by wearing MLS W.O.R.K.S. Breast Cancer Awareness jersey patches, t-shirts and using pink soccer balls during the match. A selection of these items from each team will be available on the MLS W.O.R.K.S. online auction with proceeds benefiting the National Breast Cancer Foundation and Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. Don't miss your chance to bid on these commemorative Breast Cancer Awareness items beginning Monday, October 15 at 10 a.m. E.T.
Check out some other community stories from this week:
Video: Stand Together Week Day 4
Stand Together Week Journal Day 4
D.C. United: Team Unites for D.C.
FC Dallas supports Breast Cancer Awareness
A cancer survivor, Galaxy assistant coach has focused life on developing young players
Union Breast Cancer Awareness Game a Night to Remember
Video: Stand Together Week Day 3
Stand Together Week Journal Day 3
Crew in the Community October 13-19
Crew Stadium hosts City League Championships
Seattle Sounders United We Serve: Mission Gospel
Video: Stand Together Week Day 2
Stand Together Week Journal Day 2
Military service member on leave enjoys Cascadia rivalry
United Drives to collect personal hygiene items
Colorado Rapids: Mastroeni and Corrigan turn dream into a reality
Colorado Rapids: Pine Ridge shows how music and athletes can make a difference
Stand Together Week Journal Day 1
Video: Stand Together Week Day 1
The Crew Soccer Foundation launches the Kirk Urso Memorial Fund
October has extra meaning for Rapids' Cooke as sister battles cancer
Frankie Hejduk visits Mt. Vernon Middle School with the "Crew Takes Over Your School" Program
Street Soccer flourishing in Vancouver neighborhoods
Crew hosts the Global Down Syndrome Foundation's Dare to Play Soccer Program
For more community news from around the League, visit the MLS W.O.R.K.S. news section.
We can't believe it's already October, but were excited to have launched the MLS W.O.R.K.S. Soccer Kicks Cancer Breast Cancer Awareness initiative this month. Clubs have had an impressive start to the month both on and off the field. The sheer number of community events and initiatives conducted this week alone are worth a standing ovation. Check it out:
Columbus Crew Community News and Notes
Stand Together Week City Hall Proclamation
Crew Team Awards and Casino Night
San Jose Earthquakes bartending event to benefit Earthquakes Community Fund
City of Portland Proclaims October 8-14 Stand Together Week
D.C. United: The Black and Red Go Pink
Stand Together: September Snapshot
San Jose Earthquakes team up with Light the Night
Dynamo's Bobby Boswell visits patients at Methodist Cancer Center
Major League Soccer and Portland Timbers partner to present Socio MLS
Chicago Fire Celebrate 15th Anniversary
Rapids go pink at Soccer Kicks Cancer match on Saturday
Global Down Syndrome Campers to take part in Colorado San Jose match
Crew pay tribute to Kirk Urso with dedication in Founder's Park
United for DC Race for a Cause
Dynamo Charities launch Ching Champions
Portland's Kimura and Hoban mentors kids at Friends of the Children event
Seattle's Carrasco named Humanitarian of the Month for October
Whitecaps FC go pink for Wednesday's match
Chivas USA kick-off Career Panel Series
FC Dallas Foundation Fundraiser
Houston Dynamo host Breast Cancer Awareness Night
Centraide Cup Charity Soccer Tournament Raises $250,000
Saputo big winner at first ever Centraide Cup
Revs team with Armani for Breast Cancer Awareness
Stand Together: David Horst invites you to Stand Together Week
San Jose Earthquakes host Be the Match for Jeremy
Sporting Kansas City goes pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Night
Chicago Fire Foundation Events
Video: Montreal Impact revamps Parc Theodore
Dreams for Kids & D.C. United Soccer Clinic
For more community news from around the League, visit the MLS W.O.R.K.S. news section.
As we head into October, and the MLS Cup 2012 playoff race begins, MLS W.O.R.K.S. will partner with the National Breast Cancer Foundation and the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research and treatment.
How can you support the cause?
Visit your favorite team store or MLSGear.com or MLSGearCanada.ca to purchase limited edition "pink" merchandise and support the efforts of your local MLS club.
Stay tuned to find out how MLS clubs around the League will be supporting the cause and make sure to check back on October 15 for the launch of the MLS W.O.R.K.S. Breast Cancer Awareness online auction and your chance to bid on autographed memorabilia from some of your favorite MLS players.
Click here to learn more about Soccer Kicks Cancer and the 2012 Breast Cancer Awarenes Campaign.
Click on the logos below to learn more about MLS W.O.R.K.S. national partners for Breast Cancer Awareness:
Sporting Kansas City celebrated Breast Cancer Awareness during their game on Friday. Read the match recap here.
The playoff race is in full force, but our clubs have continued important work in their local communities. As we gear up for Breast Cancer Awareness month in October, as part of the MLS W.O.R.K.S. Soccer Kicks Cancer initiative, take a moment to also reflect on the wonderful memories our clubs have created for local youth during Childhood Cancer Awareness month in September.
FC Dallas: Brazilians in Major League Soccer join forces for Jogada Nota 10
Chicago Fire Foundation Events
Video: Montreal Impact revamps Parc Theodore
Dreams for Kids & D.C. United Soccer Clinic
Q&A: Jake Gleeson on the fun of Stand Together Week
MLS players support America SCORES Soccer Dribble
Stand Together: Mercy Corps & Haitian Visitors
Jimmy Conrad and Clint Mathis help underprivileged kids play soccer
Stand Together All-Star: Brayden & Spencer
Ambassador Kennedy makes a stop at St. Jude
Crew Celebrity Bartender Night to raise funds for Crew Soccer Foundation
Journey to Excellence- Servando Carrasco
D.C. United owners roll up their sleeves at United for DC event
Impact help revive Parc Theodore
For more community news from around the League, visit the MLS W.O.R.K.S. news section.
MLS clubs continue to engage their communities in meaningful programming. Giving back is just part of each club's DNA. Check out this week's highlights:
NYRB players visit 9/11 memorial
Revolution hosts Hispanic Heritage Night
Whitecaps support province wide Raise a Reader campaign
Sporting KC partners with Braden's Hope on calendar
Portland Timbers present Stand Together Week
Impact collected donated soccer goods
D.C. ownership, executives and team to assist United Builds project
Houston Dynamo to participate in annual Tour de Cure
Philadelphia Union annual blood drive
Timbers award $43,400 in Community Fund grants
Union players support Schools for Salone
Revolution's Charity Golf Tournament a Success
Sporting's Kamara a finalist for Courage in Sports
Goals for St. Jude Night at Red Bull Arena
New York's Keel and Cooper visit children at Hackensack UMC
Stand Together: Profile of SMART
Timbers players and staff attend Schoolhouse Supplies packing and delivery
Kyle Beckerman: Don't Cross the Line
For more community news from around the League, visit the MLS W.O.R.K.S. news section.