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Inter Miami CF

Inter Miami CF Proud to Kick off 2024 Program for Special Olympics Unified Team Presented by Florida Blue

May 17, 2024 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Inter Miami CF News Release


Get to know the names of our 2024 IMCF Special Olympics Unified Team and Coaching Staff before their official presentation at our June 1 First Team home match;

Mark your calendar for our first-ever Unified Home Match at Chase Stadium on July 20

In the spirit of our Club motto, Freedom to Dream, Inter Miami CF is honored to continue championing inclusivity and diversity through the IMCF Special Olympics Unified Team for its fourth consecutive year. Together with our Community Partner Florida Blue we aspire to create a world where every individual, regardless of ability, has the opportunity to shine brightly on the field of play. Launched in 2021, the Inter Miami CF Unified Team is made up of athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), and Unified partners, athletes without an IDD.

This year's program kicked off with the 2024 Inter Miami CF Special Olympics Unified Team Signing Day presented by Florida Blue

On Friday, May 4, the 2024 Unified players signed their Club contracts in a special event that took place at Chase Stadium with Inter Miami CF Chief Soccer Officer and Sporting Director, Chris Henderson, officially presenting them as members of the Inter Miami CF Special Olympics Unified Team. As part of Team Signing Day, Al Molina, Market Leader, Miami-Dade/Monroe Counties from Florida Blue was also in attendance to extend congratulations to the 2024 team and to inspire them to continue chasing their dreams.

Following the signing of their contracts, both players and staff from Inter Miami and Florida Blue took to the field at the Florida Blue Training Center as part of a special integration initiative. In an exciting twist, IMCF midfielder Robert Taylor officiated the match, while also joining Inter Miami forward Leo Afonso in meeting with the players and offering words of encouragement.

The 2024 Inter Miami CF Special Olympics Unified Team consists of 16 players, with 11 of them returning from previous years. Guiding the team with expertise are esteemed Special Olympic coaches Daniel Cartaya and Frank Marion III, alongside Inter Miami CF U-12 Academy Coach, Ben Applefield.

Ahead of their official introduction on our Chase Stadium field during the First Team home match against St. Louis SC on Saturday, June 1, get to know the names of our 2024 Inter Miami CF Special Olympics Unified Team and Coaching Staff:

Players: Alain Figueroa, Alan García, Ivan Cadavid, Peter Reece, Darian Sierra, Patrick Hicks, Andres Batiste, Eduardo Márquez, Sky Carrizo, Gabriel Carrizo, Daniel Alonso, Kenny Gould-Papili, Yoseline Mendoza, Nico Hernández-Vidal, Andre Guevara.

Coaches: Ben Applefield, Danny Cartaya, Frank Marion III

Ready to root for our 2024 Special Olympics Unified Team? Mark your calendars with these upcoming key dates

On Friday, May 17 Special Olympics Florida will be hosting their Summer Games in Orlando and several of our returning athletes will be participating. We wish them the best of luck:

Alain Figueroa

Peter Reece

Darian Sierra

Yoseline Mendoza

Frank Marion - Coach

Daniel Cartaya - Coach

Mark your calendar for Saturday, June 1 as Inter Miami CF will proudly introduce the Club's 2024 Inter Miami CF Special Olympics Unified Team presented by Florida Blue on the field at the Inter Miami CF First Team match against St. Louis City SC at Chase Stadium. More details will be announced in the coming weeks.

Prepare for a thrilling showdown on Wednesday, July 3, as the Inter Miami CF Special Olympics Unified Team goes head-to-head with Charlotte FC in this year's thrilling away match!

Additionally, for the first time in program history, Inter Miami CF will proudly host its inaugural Unified Home Match on Sunday, July 20, welcoming Chicago Fire FC to our turf. This historic occasion promises to be a celebration of inclusivity, diversity, and the power of sport to unite communities. Stay tuned for more details about our first-ever Unified Home Match at Chase Stadium.

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