Major League Soccer sponsored a clinic for Harlem Youth Soccer this afternoon, with the purpose of raising awareness for the need to develop more spaces in urban communities such as Harlem and the South Bronx for kids to play the world's game. Uniforms, shoes, and equipment for the clinic were donated by adidas and will remain with the organization.
Since 1991, Harlem Youth Soccer and FC Harlem have used soccer to empower communities in New York but has never had a field of its own. Through a fundraising drive that will culminate in a Black Tie Gala next March, MLS W.O.R.K.S. (the charitable arm of MLS), and the U.S. Soccer Foundation, with the support of the New York City Parks Department, intend to provide FC Harlem with a place to play and enhance its programs.
"Harlem Youth Soccer is very excited about - and grateful for - the commitment from MLS W.O.R.K.S. and the U.S. Soccer Foundation to provide kids in our communities more opportunities to play soccer," said Irv Smalls, Executive Director of Harlem Youth Soccer and FC Harlem. "Seeing top professional players like David Beckham, Jozy Altidore, Juan Pablo Angel and Ty Harden playing soccer in Harlem with our kids sends a powerful message that they realize the importance of soccer in our urban neighborhoods."
Helping teach soccer skills to the children at the clinic were four current MLS players: Jozy Altidore and Juan Pablo Angel of the New York Red Bulls; David Beckham and Ty Harden of the Los Angeles Galaxy. The two teams face each other Saturday night at Giants Stadium at 7:30 p.m ET. Two former MLS players, Ali Curtis and Dante Washington, as well as Colombian World Cup veteran Wilmer Cabrera, all MLS front office employees, also mentored the young players.
"MLS W.O.R.K.S. is committed to helping create opportunities for young people to improve their lives through sport, and Harlem Youth Soccer does exemplary work in serving its community, " said JoAnn Neale, Executive Vice President of MLS. "We are honored to help New York youth learn and grow through soccer."
FC Harlem is a volunteer run, 501 c3 non-profit organization established as a recreational soccer league and competitive travel team program designed to create a safe opportunity for youth (ages 5 to 19) in Harlem and the South Bronx to learn and play soccer in a challenging, yet culturally diverse neighborhood. FC Harlem prepares young people with the values and skills needed to be successful contributors to society and role models in their community.
