MLS FC Dallas

FC Dallas Welcomes the Haitian Men's Amputee Soccer Team

Published on October 11, 2010 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
FC Dallas News Release


FRISCO, Texas (Oct. 11, 2010) - FC Dallas welcomed members of the Haitian Men's Amputee Soccer Team to Pizza Hut Park today. The team arrived in Dallas Saturday evening to begin training for the World Cup of Amputee Soccer being held in Crespo, Argentina beginning Saturday, Oct. 16. FC Dallas will host Haitian Men's Amputee Soccer Team through Thursday, Oct. 14.

Among the volunteers working to prepare the team for the upcoming World Cup are International Institute of SPORT President Dr. Fred Sorrells, Hunt Sports Group President John Wagner, President of the Sierra Leone Amputee Soccer Association Fuday Dumiaya and Haitian Men's National Team Captain, Pierre Richard Bruny.

"We are so appreciative of Bruny," Sorrells said. "He was here at Pizza Hut Park back in April for a fundraiser that benefitted the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. Now he's back as the head of delegation for the Haitian Men's Amputee Soccer Team. He's out on the field sharing his expertise. He's a godsend and he's perfect for this role because he has been there as a player and he knows what is required. He is out there making sure the team is mentally ready to play."

The team, which was formed a little over two months ago, is just beginning to learn the game in which they will compete with the best in the world.

"They've never played an official game in their life and they're going to the World Cup to face teams who have been together for years and years," Sorrells said. "We feel like just going is such an inspiration to Haitians and to the world. Even in a tragedy like this, the resiliency of the human spirit remains."

The team includes several players who suffered horrific injuries when Haiti was struck by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake on Jan. 12, 2010.

"Every guy on our team has a story," Sorrells said. "Over 300,000 people died in a matter of seconds, so any one of the players out here today could have been killed. By the grace of God they're alive. Even though they may have an injury, they're here.

Sorrells and the Haitian Amputee Soccer Team are in need of donations to support the transport of the Haitian Amputee Soccer Team to Crespo, Argentina for the World Cup of Amputee Soccer. People and organizations wishing to contribute to the cause can donate at www.iisport.org/help/donate.html or by calling (214) 674-6196.

Video featuring today's training session and the live interview with Sorrells are available at www.FCDallas.com . Media wishing to speak to Haitian Amputee Soccer Team officials are welcome to contact media@iisport.org.

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