MLS D.C. United

D.C. United to Sponsor Montgomery Soccer, Inc. Sportsmanship Program

Published on May 16, 2002 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
D.C. United News Release


CHANTILLY, VA (May 16, 2002) - D.C. United and the Washington Freedom have partnered with Montgomery Soccer, Inc. (MSI) to co-sponsor their in-club Sportsmanship program. With the development of the program, United and Freedom players are hoping to raise awareness about sportsmanship in youth soccer, while teaching kids, coaches and parents that the right way to play is the only way to play. MSI is a 16,000-member youth soccer club in Montgomery County, MD, with teams at the rec, classic and travel level. This program is coming at a time when sideline and on-field incidents at youth sporting events are reaching all time highs.

"This program signals a step in the right direction for all of those associated with youth sports," said United Senior Vice President Stephen Zack. "Not only are United and the Freedom interested in programs which support the development of talented young soccer players, we would also like to play a role in developing well-mannered young individuals."

After each MSI game, teams are required to fill out a sportsmanship report that will rate the behavior of players, coaches and spectators. In the past, the team from each age group with the highest sportsmanship rating has been awarded with Sportsmanship Award patches, but MSI has been looking to raise the prominence of the program and increase awareness of their sportsmanship initiative.

D.C. United and the Freedom have teamed up to reward those Sportsmanship Award-winning teams by recognizing them with a field-level ceremony before the May 18 double-header at RFK. Each player and coach of the winning teams receives special ticket benefits and a commemorative t-shirt to recognize their excellence in sportsmanship.

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Major League Soccer Stories from May 16, 2002


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