MLS WORKS, Chicago Fire, the U.S. Soccer Foundation and Southern New Hampshire University to Unveil New Soccer Mini-Pitches at Gage Park
Dedication of state-of-the-art mini-pitches culminates All-Star Community Day and Youth Soccer activities presented by AdvoCare.
As part of the 2017 MLS All-Star week, MLS WORKS – Major League Soccer’s community outreach initiative – and the Chicago Fire will host an All-Star Community Day at Gage Park. MLS All-Stars will join MLS WORKS, the Chicago Fire, the U.S. Soccer Foundation and Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) in unveiling two new mini-pitches. The mini-pitches will provide a safe and accessible place to play, while supporting local youth programming, including the Chicago Fire’s P.L.A.Y.S. Program. Additionally, SNHU will award a full college scholarship to a deserving member of the local community as part of the dedication ceremony. Media are encouraged to attend youth soccer activities and the unveiling of the mini-pitches for content and interviews; exclusive availability with select MLS All-StarsandMLS Commissioner Don Garber available following the dedication ceremony.
The MLS WORKS/Chicago Fire All-Star Community Day will be open to the public from 12:00 – 4:00 PM CT. Facilitated by Chicago Fire Youth Coaches, community members will have an opportunity to participate in youth soccer activities presented by AdvoCare. A free play zone with a soccer skills challenge, inflatables, games, music, food and more will be open to the public.
Following the official dedication, the championship match from the MLS WORKS/Chicago Fire All-Star Community Day Youth Tournament, presented by AdvoCare, with teams comprised of Chicago Fire Juniors players, will be played on the new pitch. MLS All-Stars will serve as celebrity coaches, and will be available for autographs and photos with event participants.
WHO: The ceremony will include short remarks from:
- Don Garber, Commissioner, Major League Soccer
- Nelson Rodriguez, General Manager, Chicago Fire
- Ed Foster-Simeon, President & CEO, U.S. Soccer Foundation
- Scott Durand, Vice President & Executive Director, Workforce Partnerships, Southern New Hampshire University
- Kevin Navarro, First Deputy Superintendent, Chicago Police Department
- Michael P. Kelly, CEO & Superintendent, Chicago Park District
Special guests scheduled to appear include:
- MLS All-Stars
- MLS Executives
- Andrew Hauptman, Owner and Chairman, Chicago Fire Soccer Club & Chairman, Andell Inc.
- Hector Lozano, Sports Director, Univision Chicago - emcee
VISUALS: Local Chicago boys and girls taking ceremonial first kick with players and executives. The championship match from the MLS WORKS/Chicago Fire All-Star Community Day Youth Tournament, presented by AdvoCare will be played on the new pitch. MLS All-Stars will serve as celebrity coaches.
WHEN: Monday, July 31, 2017│3:00 pm – 4:00pm CT
WHERE: Gage Park (street parking available)
2411 W. 55th St.
Chicago, IL 60609
MEDIA CONTACT: Media interested in attending the mini-pitch unveiling to conduct interviews or receive event photos must contact Sean Dennison (sean.dennison@MLSsoccer.com).
ADDITIONAL MEDIA CONTACTS
Eunice Kim
Chicago Fire
708-496-6726
ekim@chicago-fire.com
Lauren Keane
Southern New Hampshire University
203-695-2264
l.keane@snhu.edu
Jennifer Arnold
U.S. Soccer Foundation
202-872-6662
jarnold@ussoccerfoundation.org
Lindsay Bomar
Senior Manager, Corporate Communications
AdvoCare International, L.P.
Lbomar@advocare.com
817-729-5644 (c)
