LAFC Officially Signs Inaugural Special Olympics Unified Team
May 2, 2024 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Los Angeles FC News Release
The Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) hosted 16 athletes on Wednesday, May 1 at BMO Stadium to sign official contracts for the Club's first-ever Special Olympics Unified Team, in partnership with BMO.
Unified team players and coaches were joined by LAFC midfielder and captain Ilie Sánchez, LAFC Co-President & General Manager John Thorrington and international soccer icon and 2022 MLS Cup Champion Giorgio Chiellini, who presented them with their authentic uniforms and training gear.
The LAFC Special Olympics Unified Team, created in collaboration with MLS Works and Special Olympics Southern California and with support from BMO, unites individuals between the ages of 16-25 with and without intellectual disabilities to compete as members of one team, further strengthening the Club's commitment to inclusivity on the pitch. As part of the program, the Unified team will attend weekly training sessions, play in scrimmages, and play matches against Unified teams from other Major League Soccer (MLS) Clubs.
The LAFC Special Olympics Unified Team kicks off their inaugural season on August 31, at BMO Stadium against the Houston Dynamo Special Olympics Unified Team following LAFC's match against Houston Dynamo.
LAFC Special Olympics Unified Team Official Roster
Jersey # First Last Role Hometown
1 Michael Reyes Athlete Bell, CA
2 Alanis Rodriguez Unified Partner Huntington Park, CA
4 Zachary Soto Athlete Malibu, CA
5 Josue Foster Athlete Eagle Rock, CA
6 Alice Wardle Unified Partner Eagle Rock, CA
7 Stephen Reyes Unified Partner South Gate, CA
8 Hannah Romero Unified Partner Rialto, CA
10 Amanda Ford Athlete Downey, CA
11 Geovanny Vasquez Unified Partner Los Angeles, CA
12 Irene Lee Unified Partner Torrance, CA
13 Daniel Flores Athlete South Gate, CA
14 Jonathan Gutierrez Athlete Eagle Rock, CA
15 Gautam Bhoyral Unified Partner San Diego, CA
22 DShonna Lewis Unified Partner Valencia, CA
24 Sammy Lara Athlete Downey, CA
25 Diego Perez Athlete Perris, CA
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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
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