D.C. United forward Freddy Adu and San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Landon Donovan will join ESPN2 MLS Soccer Saturday color analyst and Hall of Fame inductee Eric Wynalda and field analyst Lorrie Fair in a television special for kids to air on the ABC Television Network, the "JETIX Kids Cup." The program will air on Saturday (11 a.m. ET/10 a.m. CT and PT / 9:30 a.m. MT) during ABC Kids on the ABC Television Network and on Sunday (11 a.m. ET and PT) during the JETIX action/adventure programming block for kids on ABC Family. The soccer stars will provide commentary, game analysis and tips for young JETIX viewers interested in soccer. Later on Saturday on ABC, the network will also be airing the Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game live from RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. at 2 p.m. ET.
The "JETIX Kids Cup", held at the Manchester United Soccer School at Disneyland Resort Paris, chronicles the fun and adventure of an annual global kids soccer tournament where 256 boys and girls from 16 countries participate in five days of adventure. The event culminates in a five-a-side championship soccer game designed to promote fair play, sportsmanship, cultural exchange and the pure fun of activity.
"The addition of these impressive athletes will help us connect with our young JETIX viewers and support the special's overall premise that tells kids sports activity can be about the fun, camaraderie and the enjoyment of athleticism rather than the competition," said Rich Ross, President of Disney Channel Worldwide and the executive in charge of the JETIX action/adventure programming blocks around the world.
At the JETIX Kids Cup, the United States is represented by two youth soccer teams comprised of players from Orlando, Florida and Southern California. They join teams from France, Germany, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, the United Kingdom, Bulgaria, Georgia, Hungary, Russia, Argentina, Brazil and Mexico.
"We are pleased that today's top MLS athletes, who were inspired by their experience in youth soccer leagues, are participating in this event, one that encourages kids to get involved and supports our message that the game can be an opportunity for fun and cultural exchange," added Michael Cohen, Executive Producer for Major League Soccer.
This year's JETIX Kids Cup is the first event of the joint international kids programming alliance between ABC Cable Networks Group, FOX Kids Europe and FOX Kids Latin America (networks now transitioning to the channel name JETIX) and a dynamic new action/adventure programming lineup on ABC Family and Toon Disney in the U.S.
JETIX programming takes kids to fantastic new worlds and spotlights teamwork and skill mastery while sparking kids' imagination with stories of good versus evil. The programming includes "Power Rangers DinoThunder" (the newest series in the global phenomenon "Power Rangers"), the hit anime series "Beyblade" and the series focusing on an all-digital world, "Digimon." ABC Family airs JETIX daily (weekdays 7-9 a.m. and weekends 7 a.m.-12 p.m. ET/PT). Toon Disney presents the JETIX programming block Mondays through Thursdays (7-9 p.m. ET/PT) and on weekends (7-9 p.m. ET/PT).
The 2004 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game is the main attraction of a weekend extravaganza of soccer-themed events and programs, all of which aim to pay tribute to the past, present and future of American soccer. Thousands of the 15 million registered youth participants under the age of 18 will have the opportunity throughout the weekend to see, touch and feel the heroes of Major League Soccer past and present. Through clinics, on-field presentations, pre-game and halftime ceremonies, "Sierra Mist Soccer Celebration" events for families and youth, player autograph sessions and more, MLS will also recognize the importance of youth participation as the future of our sport.
The East vs. West All-Star Game matchup at RFK Stadium will be preceded by a Celebration Game between the MLS USA Legends and MLS World Legends beginning at 12:30 p.m. ET, a match which will be streamed live and exclusively on the League's official website at www.MLSnet.com. MLS honors the tradition, history and pioneers of modern professional soccer in the United States by hosting the reunion match, which will largely feature U.S. and international players who participated in the 1994 World Cup and then went on to play in MLS.
The 2004 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game featuring the MLS All-Stars, as well as the MLS Celebration Game honoring the legacy of the 1994 World Cup, offers six levels of ticket pricing, ranging from $25 to $60 for individuals, and $16 to $40 for groups of varying sizes. Tickets can be purchased by calling D.C. United at (202) 587-5000 or by visiting www.dcunited.com online. Individual tickets can be obtained through TicketMaster - (202) 432 - SEAT (metro D.C.); (410) 481 - SEAT (Baltimore & MD); (703) 573 - SEAT (Virginia) or online at www.ticketmaster.com and at all TicketMaster outlets including HECHT's, Tower Records and at RFK Stadium.</p>
