The sixth edition of Kick Childhood Cancer, an MLS WORKS initiative, is underway, and teams around the league have been busy in the community. Below you can find the latest efforts from MLS and its teams during childhood cancer awareness month, benefitting Children's Oncology Group.
Previous updates:
Atlanta United
Atlanta United transformed the A Ma Maniere boutique into “Kings Become Legends,” a three-day interactive exhibit celebrating the club’s most iconic moments with unique photography, customized gear and merchandise – including a custom “King Peach” shoe from adidas – and a virtual-reality experience, all to benefit Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta in support of the club’s “Unite & Conquer Cancer” month activities.
The Five Stripes also surprised some brave young cancer patients with one-on-one time with stars Ezequiel Barco...
And Brad Guzan:
Columbus Crew SC
The Black & Gold are auctioning off signed, pre-match-worn, limited-edition yellow adidas Kick Childhood Cancer pre-match training tops this week, from Sunday until 5 pm ET on Thursday with all proceeds benefitting both the Crew SC Foundation's programming in Central Ohio and Nellie's Champions for Kids (NC4K).
FC Cincinnati
During their home season finale at Nippert Stadium on Sunday, FC Cincy recognized Ronald McDonald House Cincinnati, which provides a supportive home-away-from-home for families and their children receiving medical treatment in the area, regardless of their ability to pay. RMHC was featured during pregame activities and pediatric cancer survivors participated in unique experiences like player walk-out escorts.
LA Galaxy
The Galaxy also auctioned off their KCC warm-ups from their match on Sunday, their last regular-season game at Dignity Health Sports Park, in support of child cancer awareness.
Montreal Impact
The Impact went all-in on the Leucan Shaved Head Challenge as they welcomed Atlanta United on Sunday, with club president Kevin Gilmore, front-office staff, academy and pre-academy players and even a journalist or two shaving their heads as part of this annual fundraiser.
The Impact also invited the entire province of Quebec to participate in the challenge, with the top three fund-raisers invited to the game for a VIP experience — and a public head-shaving at Stade Saputo.
New York Red Bulls
RBNY held "Tackle Kids Cancer (TKC) Night" on Sunday, partnering with Hackensack Meridan Health (HMH) and their TKC Foundation. Young cancer patients escorted Red Bulls players onto the field, while players designed custom cleats with patients from HMH and wore the designed boots for warm-ups, then shared them with the kids postgame
Real Salt Lake
RSL's KCC game was on Sept. 25 vs. the Galaxy, benefitting Primary Children’s Hospital.
San Jose Earthquakes
In partnership with the Austen Everett Foundation, The Quakes featured honorary captain Ezekiel at their sold-out home finale on Sunday, signing him to a one-day contract and hosting him at a training session earlier in the week. Ezekiel and his family got special gameday access and experiences, including walkout duties:
Seattle Sounders
The Sounders, who visited the Quakes at Avaya Stadium on Sunday, also partnered with the Austen Everett Foundation to host an away match viewing party for this year’s honorary team captains and their families at THE NINETY, while down in Tacoma, Reign FC also welcomed AEF to their home match at Cheney Stadium.
