MLS WORKS Blog
Join Major League Soccer in our League-wide efforts to support the Red Cross and help those affected by the devastating tornadoes in the Midwest. To donate, visit www.redcross.org, call 1-800-RED-CROSS, or text the word REDCROSS to 90999.
Blood donations are also welcomed. Visit our Disaster Relief Page to learn more.
Find out what MLS clubs have been up to in their communities by checking out the weekly club highlights:
Supporters group president steps down at the end of the year, calls time "a dynamic experience"
Stand Together: Portland Timbers help open new futsal court in Cully neighborhood
Dallas Beer Guardians 3v3 Tournament This Saturday
Union launch successful opening of its 50/50 Raffle Saturday against the Sounders
Philadelphia Union to host second Union Day in Northeast Philadelphia
Coca-Cola Hero of the Match: Staff Sargeant Erik Gallion
Portland Timbers named MLS WORKS Humanitarian of the Month
Chicago Fire take part in historic hearings related to LGBT athletes
Nielsen speaks at Visitation Athletic Banquet
#1Crest1Club: Spring 2013 Campaign
Soccer Community to Honor Volunteer Soccer Referee Ricardo Portillo
The Montreal Impact public practices return in 2013
#ChipotlePartyWithKei as told on Twitter
Landon Donovan, Cozmo & Kevin Ryder from KROQ visit children at Children's Hospital Los Angeles
Stand Alone: Atticus attends Timbers Game
For more community news from around the League, visit the MLS WORKS news section.
Demonstrating exactly how the game of soccer can make a difference, the Portland Timbers joined forces with Make-A-Wish Oregon to create a very special day and helped to make Atticus Lane-Dupre's wish come true. Over 3,000 members of the Timbers Army were on hand to show their support as Atticus' Green Machine beat the Timbers in a scrimmage at JELD-WEN Field. The day began and ended with behind-the-scenes access and unique experiences for Atticus and his teammates. Learn more.
Congratulations to the Timbers!
How you can help...
- To support the Children's Cancer Association's work in bringing joy to seriously ill children and their families please visit: http://joyrx.org
- To support the American Cancer Society's work in transforming cancer from deadly to preventable please visit: http://www.cancer.org/
- To support Make-A-Widh as they continue to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy please visit: http://wish.org/
Related Links
MLSSoccer.com's Anatomy of a Goal breaks down Atticus' nutmeg gamewinner - Video
How the Portland Timbers made a cancer-stricken 8-year-old'swish come true - Video
Portland Timbers and MLS WORKS help beautify Hosford Middle School on Earth Day - Video
April has come to an end with an impressive array of activity on behalf of MLS clubs in their community. May is starting off strong with clubs lending a hand around their communities. On Tuesday, the New England Revolution launched a week-long auction with proceeds to benefit The One Fund Boston and LLA. On Wednesday, the Portland Timbers and Make-A-Wish Oregon held a scrimmage in front of 3,000 fans at JELD-WEN Field against The Green Machine. The match was a wish come true for Atticus Lane-Dupre, whose wish was to have his team, The Green Machine, play against the Timbers. Atticus netted four goals, one of them being the match-winning goal in the impressive 10-9 Green Machine victory over the Timbers. Find these stories and other MLS club initiatives in our weekly club highlights:
Victory Project reaches goal for local youth
SideKicks launch new autograph alley following Rapids home matches
Soccer Kickoff BBQ and Select A Seat Event at Red Bull Arena
MLSsoccer.com's Anatomy of a Goal breaks down Atticus' nutmeg gamewinner
Beckerman to appear at Friday Fan Forum at Rio Tinto Stadium
How the Portland Timbers made a cancer-stricken 8-year-old's wish come true
Chivas USA, presente en la Copa Infantil Interliga - Chivas USA, sponsor of Copa Interliga
Video: Timbers make 8-year-old cancer patient's dream come true
RECAP: Eight-year-old Atticus nets four goals to power Green Machine past Timbers 10-9
How Atticus & Green Machine beat the Timbers
Sporting KC VIP Experience at ArtBra KC
ESPN's Stuart Scott on Atticus: "Dude, we fight TOGETHER on this"
Rapids and Coca Cola Support Rocky Mountain USO
Collin, Olum headline Cancer Battler Cup IV
Video: Portland, 3000 fans grant 8-year-old an amazing wish
Wine and Dine with the Earthquakes set for July 28
Revolution launches charitable auction to benefit The One Fund Boston & LLS
English Premier League's Stoke City F.C. to meet Houston Dynamo in BBVA Compass Dynamo Charities Cup
Union to hold 50/50 raffles at home matches to benefit Philadelphia Union Foundation
Real Salt Lake to host Star Wars Day at Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday
Revolution wins "for Boston and Kevin" on emotional night at Gillette Stadium
Texian Army hosting bake sale to raise funds for first responders in West, Texas
Revolution Marathon Tribute Video
FC Dallas in the community: April 27-28
For more community news from around the League, visit the MLS WORKS news section.
This week was a busy one for MLS WORKS and the clubs in their communities. The week started off with celebrations for Earth Day. MLS WORKS and the Portland Timbers hosted an Earth Day Service Project at Hosford Middle School and unveiled a solar panel installation and environmental beautification at the school as part of the MLS WORKS/Continental Tire “How Green Are Your Goals?” contest. Yesterday was World Malaria Day and MLS WORKS joined Nothing But Nets in the fight against Malaria by challenging MLS fans to donate a net to save a life. Find these stories and other MLS club initiatives in our weekly highlights:
Update: World Malaria Day and Juggle-a-thon
Kraft Family's pledge to One Fund Boston nets $617,000 to date
Revolution to wear orange ribbons on Saturday
Dynamo players, coaches participate in Tommy Bahama Island Cowboy Classic
VIDEO: Juggle to save lives on World Malaria Day
Cinco De Mayo celebration planned for May 4 match
How the Union's recent rally around Autism awareness touched one supporter in particular
LA Galaxy players help build Reading Garden at Annalee Avenue Elementary School in Carson
Revolution, Red Bulls Supporters March together
Exclusive Interview with Rafael Garcia on LA Galaxy Foundation event at Annalee Elementary
The human spirit always prevails
Busch, Quakes team up for Navy SEAL Foundation fundraiser
Hejduk Participates in AIDS Walk
Earth Day 2013 at Hosford Elementary
D.C. United celebrates Earth Day
Quakes, Wells Fargo announce Summer 4v4 tournament dates
MLS Players Union donates portion of 2012 fines to Urso Fund
Soccer Walking Denver in your Blue Jeans!
Frankie Hejduk Kicks off the Anti-Bullying Walk/Run in New Albany
For more community news from around the League, visit the MLS WORKS news section.
Today is World Malaria Day and MLS WORKS is joining Nothing But Nets in the fight against malaria!
Together, we will help keep families safe from malaria with Cover Africa, a new initiative from the United Nations Foundation’s Nothing But Nets campaign to reach families who need your help the most. Through social media, MLS’s matching “flash” challenge will challenge fans and supporters to “Cover Africa,” MLS WORKS will help Nothing But Nets reach the $200,000 fundraising goal to send 20,000 nets to save lives. It’s that easy to make a difference.
MLS WORKS challenges MLS fans to donate a net to help save a life and will match up to 250 nets! Join the MLS WORKS World Malaria Day challenge - we have one day to send 250 life-saving bed nets to protect families in Africa from malaria and we need your help to do it. It only takes $10 to save a life. Are you up for the challenge? Learn more.
MLS WORKS, Continental Tire and the Portland Timbers hosted an Earth Day Service Project at Hosford Middle School today.
Timbers midfielder Darlington Nagbe assisted a few Hosford students for a tree planting. In total, 13 new trees were planted around Hosford in honor of Earth Day 2013. Other Timbers players on site assiting in the Hosford Environmental Beautification unveiling included: Jack Jewsbury, Jake Gleeson, Ryan Kawulok, Brent Richards, Sal Zizzo and Sebastian Rincon. Timbers owner and president, Merritt Paulson, was also in attendance as was a representative from MLS corporate partner Continental Tire. Portland Public Schools Superintendent Carole Smith also attended the event and kicked off the all school assembly led by Timber Joey.
In advance of the project, Timbers Creative Designer, Matti Jonsson, asked Hosford students, "What Does Green Mean to You?" and out of the students' responses created a sustainable mural at Hosford.
To showcase all of the environmental projects conducted at Hosford as part of the Hosford Environmental Beautification (which was presented by MLS WORKS, Continental Tire and the Portland Timbers) Timber Joey took Hosford students and faculty on a walking tour around the school grounds.
The Earth Day Service Project from MLS WORKS, Continental Tire and the Portland Timbers included more than $10,000 in added donations from the Portland community and Portland-area businesses, which helped in making the following projects possible at Hosford:
- BEF solar panel installation and subsequent Solar4Schools learning materials
- Student-designed, green-themed mural
- Custom bike racks, including an art bike rack created by Oregon-based designer Matt Cartwright
- Helmet and bike lock giveaways to Hosford students and faculty who ride a bike to work
- Reusable water bottles for every student at Hosford
- New Elkay drinking fountain, which will reduce the amount of plastic water bottles used at the school and track the number of plastic bottles saved from landfills
- Tree-planting and beautification of the entrance to the school
- Permanent directional signage to display the environmental benefits of the project to the Portland community
- Creation of communal gathering places on the school campus
Thank you to the following organizations that donated their services to the project at Hosford: Kelly Fitzpatrick with Benchmark, Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership, Grey to Green Tree Program, City of Portland Environmental Services, Portland Public Schools Project Facilities and Communications staff, CAL Portland, Portland Nursery, and City of Portland Transportation and Safe Routes to School.
MLS WORKS Greener Goals identifies ways to reduce our carbon footprint and helps raise awareness for environmental issues throughout the soccer community. The greening of our game will encourage MLS clubs, players, corporate partners and fans to create a cleaner, healthier environment.
MLS WORKS and the Portland Timbers today will unveil a solar panel installation and environmental beautification to Hosford Middle School in Southeast Portland as part of the MLS WORKS/Continental Tire “How Green Are Your Goals?” contest.
Representatives from Major League Soccer, the Portland Timbers, Portland Public Schools and Continental Tire will unveil the many sustainable additions provided by MLS WORKS and Continental Tire during a special Earth Day event at Hosford Middle School today.
The “How Green Are Your Goals?” contest engaged MLS fans to participate and support environmentally friendly efforts leading up to Earth Day 2012. Portland was the MLS city selected as having the greenest fans with its many submissions detailing the city’s everyday approach to incorporating green efforts. Reflecting this, the Hosford Middle School Environmental Beautification project included a holistic approach, with touch points and significant improvements in the following areas: energy/solar, storm water/garden and sustainable mural, transportation, recycling and CO2 reduction.
In addition to the award from MLS WORKS and Continental Tire, more than $10,000 in added donations from the Portland community and Portland-area businesses helped in making the following projects possible at Hosford:
- BEF solar panel installation and subsequent Solar4Schools learning materials
- Student-designed, green-themed mural
- Custom bike racks, including an art bike rack created by Oregon-based designer Matt Cartwright
- Helmet and bike lock giveaways to Hosford students and faculty who ride a bike to work
- Reusable water bottles for every student at Hosford
- New Elkay drinking fountain, which will reduce the amount of plastic water bottles used at the school and track the number of plastic bottles saved from landfills
- Tree-planting and beautification of the entrance to the school
- Permanent directional signage to display the environmental benefits of the project to the Portland community
- Creation of communal gathering places on the school campus
Follow @MLSWORKS and #GreenerGoals today for all the details on the Hosford Middle School Environmental Beautification.
MLS WORKS Greener Goals identifies ways to reduce our carbon footprint and helps raise awareness for environmental issues throughout the soccer community. The greening of our game will encourage MLS clubs, players, corporate partners and fans to create a cleaner, healthier environment.
MLS is a proud member of the Green Sports Alliance, a non-profit organization with a mission to help sports teams, venues and leagues enhance their environmental performance. Alliance members represent over 170 professional and collegiate sports teams and venues from across 15 different sports leagues. MLS club members include the Seattle Sounders FC, Portland Timbers and San Jose Earthquakes, and AEG teams the Houston Dynamo and LA Galaxy.
Learn more about the Green Sports Alliance and the green sports movement by visiting www.greensportsalliance.org and following @SportsAlliance and #GreenSports on Twitter.
It is starting to feel like spring and this can only mean that the MLS season is in full effect. The New York Red Bulls and Sporting KC played on Wednesday and prior to the match, the teams held a moment of silence to honor those victims of the Boston Marathon tragedy. Clubs and players took to Twitter to show their support for all those affected by this tragedy. Check out the weekly club highlights:
Red Bulls to Honor Victims of Boston Marathon Tragedy Before Saturday's Match
LA Galaxy honor a member of the family
Earth Day celebration planned for Sunday
Whitecaps FC launch free Saskatchewan Coaches Day and Spring Academy
Philadelphia Union to host Star Wars Day at PPL Park against Seattle
Quakes partner with You Can Play Project
Not sure how just yet, but Williams plans to pay tribute to Boston Marathon bombings
Red Bulls to Honor Victims of Boston Marathon Tragedy
Timbers, MLS WORKS, Continental Tire Launch Earth Day Service Project at Hosford Middle School April 22United Drives to collect pet supplies
Join Lamar Neagle in the 60-60-60 challenge
Kraft Family will match $100,000 in donations to support Boston Marathon victim recovery
Revolution to host Autism Awareness match on April 27
FC Dallas Foundation Gear Up Project Presented by Albertsons Market
Francisco Palencia inaugurates turf field in Bell Gardens
For more community news from around the League, visit the MLS WORKS news section.
Clubs are getting ready for Week 7 of the MLS season, which kicks off this weekend. Before lacing up their cleats and taking the field, players have been lending a hand in their communities. Check out what clubs have been up to around the community in our weekly highlights:
Henry, Lampson show support for Kevin Alston
Timbers award $44,286 in Community Fund Grants
Dalena Tran wins BAASST scholarship from Quakes
Timbers team up with Make-A-Wish Oregon to grant special wish
Crew license plates available once again throughout Ohio
#SoccerWalking Chicago with Jared Montz
Ben Olsen to attend DC Budget Freedom Happy Hour
Celebrity Bartending Event to Benefit AIDS Walk Central Ohio 2013
#GetWellKASporting Club finds success on and off the field
Designated Driver Challenge: Beat Red Bull
Right to Play and MLSE, Day 3 - Whitefish River First Nation
Sporting Club launches The Victory Project to help children with cancer in KC
For more community news from around the League, visit the MLS WORKS news section.