NEW YORK – ¡MLS Futbolito!™, one of the nation’s most successful grassroots soccer initiatives, celebrates its 10th anniversary with its 2012 tour, returning to soccer fields across the United States this summer, as thousands of soccer players of all ages will again lace up their cleats to participate in Major League Soccer’s official 4-v-4 tournament, hosted locally by MLS clubs. The national tour kicks off Sunday, June 17 in Houston, Texas, hosted by the Houston Dynamo.
MLS Futbolito, one of the largest touring Hispanic events hosted by a U.S. professional sports league, is a series of all-day events targeting the League’s growing multicultural fan base and hosted by the local MLS clubs. Approximately 50,000 people, between participants ages 6 to 55 and spectators, attended MLS Futbolito 2011 across eight events from coast to coast.
“It is with great pride that Major League Soccer celebrates the 10th anniversary of ¡MLS Futbolito!™,” said Russell Sargeant, senior director of partnership marketing for MLS. “Hundreds of thousands of participants have enjoyed this grassroots initiative over the years. It has become an event for the whole family to attend. We would also like to thank all of our corporate partners who have contributed to making this program possible. Without their commitment and support, ¡MLS Futbolito!™ would not be the success that we see today.”
MLS Futbolito will continue to work with MLS W.O.R.K.S., the League’s community outreach initiative to support programs such as Active Bodies Active Minds, a soccer-center initiative that provides resources to motivate, reward and encourage children to live a healthy lifestyle through fitness and nutrition.
Associate level partners for MLS Futbolito are adidas, Allstate, The Home Depot, Makita, Pepsi, Quaker, Volkswagen and Xbox.
For further information about MLS Futbolito, visit the event’s official site: www.MLSFutbolito.com. Below is the 2012 MLS Futbolito schedule, including park addresses, as well as the official competition format and registration information.
2012 MLS Futbolito Schedule
Sunday, June 17 – Houston (Hosted by Houston Dynamo)
HASP – Houston Amateur Sports Park
12131 Kirby Dr.
Houston, TX 77045
Saturday, June 23 – Chicago (Hosted by Chicago Fire)
Hanson Stadium
5501 West Fullerton Avenue
Chicago, IL 60639
Sunday, July 8 – New England (Hosted by New England Revolution)
Gillette Stadium
1 Patriot Place
Foxborough, MA 02035
Saturday, July 14 – New York City (Hosted by New York Red Bulls)
Flushing Meadows Corona Park
13140 Fowler Avenue
Flushing, NY 11355
Saturday, July 28 – Dallas (Hosted by FC Dallas)
Complex at FC Dallas Stadium
9200 World Cup Way
Frisco, TX 75034
Saturday, August 4 – Washington, D.C (Hosted by D.C. United)
Maryland SoccerPlex
18031 Central Park Cir.
Boyds, MD 20841
Sunday, August 12 – (Hosted by Philadelphia Union)
Science & Discovery High School
1100 W. 10th Street
Chester, PA 19013
Sunday, August 19 – Los Angeles (Hosted by Chivas USA)
Bell Gardens
7000 Park Lane
Bell Gardens, CA 90201
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 with winners in each division receiving prizes. In addition to participating, each registered player will receive a ticket to an MLS match (in applicable markets), and the chance to win prizes from the sponsors. There will be $3,000 in cash prizes ($2,000 for first place and $1,000 for second place) for adult premier.
More information on the competitions and events in both English and Spanish can be found on the official web site for Futbolito: www.MLSFutbolito.com. Teams can register for competitions, obtain 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.
