NEW YORK - Major League Soccer today announced the return of one of the League's most successful grassroots initiatives, MLS Futbolito, the League's official 4-v-4 soccer tournament. The 14-event national tour, co-presented by Panasonic and Sierra Mist, begins its sixth season in Miami, Florida, on Sunday, April 27.
MLS Futbolito, the largest touring Hispanic event hosted by a U.S. professional sports league, is a series of all-day events targeting the League's growing multicultural fan base.
"MLS Futbolito provides an excellent opportunity to connect MLS with the grassroots soccer community," said Marco Liceaga, director of marketing for Major League Soccer. "Whether they call it football, fútbol, or soccer, MLS Futbolito provides every community a unique opportunity to participate in the World's game through the right combination of culture, competition and fun."
In 2007, MLS Futbolito experienced record growth, with a 30 percent increase in average participation. Events in Chicago and New York were sold out, setting new high marks for single-day team registration in each city. Since its inaugural year of 2003, there has been a 46 percent increase in total player participation in MLS Futbolito.
To celebrate its sixth anniversary, soccer legend Martin Zúñiga will serve as the program's official spokesperson. Nicknamed 'El Pulpo' (Spanish for 'octopus') for his acrobatic saves, Zúñiga made a name for himself as a talented goalkeeper for CD Guadalajara in his native Mexico and his country's national team. Zúñiga returned to the famed Chivas organization in 2005 to guard the nets for Major League Soccer's Chivas USA during their inaugural year. Although he announced his retirement that same year, he still remained with the team as an ambassador. Currently, Zúñiga is working as a national MLS Ambassador, focusing primarily on helping promote soccer within the Hispanic community on the West Coast.
"Soccer in the United States, especially among the Hispanic community, begins at the grassroots level and I am thrilled to be able to contribute to the continued growth of MLS and important projects like MLS Futbolito," said Zúñiga.
2008 MLS Futbolito Schedule
Sunday, April 27 - Miami, Florida
Kendall Soccer Park
8011 SW 127th Ave.
Miami, FL 33183
Saturday, May 10 - Los Angeles
(hosted by Chivas USA)
Bell Gardens Sports Complex
8000 Park Ln.
Bell Gardens, CA 90201
Saturday, May 17 - Phoenix
Rose Mofford Sports Complex
9833 N 25th Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85021
Sunday, June 1 - Houston
Bear Creek Sports Complex
3535 War Memorial Dr.
Houston, TX 77084
Saturday, June 7 - Dallas
Samuel Garland Park
12061 McCree Road
Dallas, TX 75218
Saturday, June 14 - New England
TBD
Saturday, June 21 - Philadelphia
TBD
Saturday, June 28 - Washington, DC
Maryland SoccerPlex
18031 Central Park Circle
Boyds, MD 20841
Saturday and Sunday, July 12-13 - New York City
Flushing Meadows Corona Park
111 54th Ave.
Flushing, NY 11365
Saturday, July 19 - Chicago
Riis Park
6100 W. Fullerton Ave.
Chicago, IL 60639
Saturday, August 2 - Salt Lake City
Riverside Park
739 N. 1400 W
Salt Lake City, UT 84116
Sunday, August 10 - Denver
Fort Logan Soccer Complex
3742 W. Princeton Circle
Denver, CO 80236
Saturday, August 16 - Los Angeles
(hosted by Los Angeles Galaxy)
Rose Bowl - Brookside Park
360 North Arroyo Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91103
Saturday, August 23 - San Jose
Independence HS
1776 Educational Park Dr.
San Jose, CA 95133
Competition Format and Registration Information
The 4-v-4 tournament is open to players of all ages, abilities and affiliations. Team rosters can consist of up to seven players (four field players and three substitutes) and each team will play in round-robin action, with the possibility of advancing to the single-elimination championship playoff.
Teams registered for the competition will be divided according to age groups and competitive levels. Winners of each division will receive prizes with the first and second place teams in the Premier Division competing for $3000 in cash prizes. In addition to the games, each registered player will receive a ticket to an MLS game (in applicable markets), a Futbolito t-shirt, and the chance to win prizes from the presenting sponsors as well as associate sponsors: adidas, Chase, Fox Sports en Español, Glidden, The Home Depot and VISA.
More information on the competitions and events in both English and Spanish can be found on the official web site for MLS Futbolito: www.MLSFutbolito.com. Teams can register for competitions, obtain complete lists of all rules and regulations and learn about the competition dates and locations. Additionally, interested participants with questions can call toll-free at +1-888-MLS FUTBOLITO. The entrance fee is $150 per team for those competing in the Adult Premier Division and $120 per team for all other participants.
