Major League Soccer, through its community outreach initiative, MLS WORKS, announced the launch of a new platform called Soccer For All. Soccer For All signifies that everyone is welcome to MLS, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status, and emphasizes the League’s long-standing commitment to end discrimination.
Built on the foundation established by Don’t Cross the Line, Soccer For All will integrate and promote a number of existing partnerships and programs, including the Special Olympics Unified Sports® soccer exchange program (matches between teams comprised of players with and without intellectual disabilities), RISE (the Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality uses sports to improve race relations by promoting understanding, respect and equality) and the U.S. Soccer Foundation (providing underserved youth with access to quality soccer programming and critical life skills).
While commitment to the new platform will be ongoing, MLS and its clubs will conduct activations during Soccer For All month in June to showcase the collective efforts taking place throughout the League to drive positive social change and foster more inclusive communities. Soccer For All will also support our clubs’ local efforts related to commemorative awareness months including Black History Month, LGBTQ Pride Month and Hispanic Heritage Month.
“We are excited to share our new Soccer For All platform,” said JoAnn Neale, Chief Administrative & Social Responsibility Officer, Major League Soccer. “Soccer For All promotes the message that everyone is welcome and reinforces our commitment to treat everyone who is a part of our game, whether as a fan, player, partner or employee, with dignity and respect.”
Soccer For All is anchored by a public service announcement that was unveiled on Univision’s Contacto Deportivo. The PSA represents all 23 MLS clubs and depicts the diversity of our players while promoting the message that all are welcome. Fans can show support by sharing the PSA through social media channels and joining the conversation on Twitter using #SoccerForAll.
For more information on Soccer For All, and other MLS WORKS initiatives, visit MLSsoccer.com/mlsworks.
