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MLS Futbolito Celebrates Its 10th Anniversary in Chicago

June 6, 2012 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


CHICAGO, Ill. (June 6, 2012) - The Chicago Fire Soccer Club will host ¡MLS Futbolito! €žÂ¢, one of the nation's most successful grassroots soccer initiatives, when it makes a stop in the Windy City at Hanson Stadium (5501 West Fullerton Avenue) on Saturday, June 23. Entering its 10th year, ¡MLS Futbolito! €žÂ¢ returns to soccer fields across the United States this summer as thousands of soccer players of all ages will again lace up their cleats to participate in Major League Soccer's official 4-v-4 tournament.

MLS Futbolito, one of the largest touring Hispanic events hosted by a U.S. professional sports league, is a series of all-day events targeting the League's growing multicultural fan base and hosted by the local MLS clubs. Approximately 50,000 people, between participants ages 6 to 55 and spectators, attended MLS Futbolito 2011 across eight events from coast to coast.

"It is with great pride that Major League Soccer celebrates the 10th anniversary of ¡MLS Futbolito! €žÂ¢," said Russell Sargeant, senior director of partnership marketing for MLS. "Hundreds of thousands of participants have enjoyed this grassroots initiative over the years. It has become an event for the whole family to attend. We would also like to thank all of our corporate partners who have contributed to making this program possible. Without their commitment and support, ¡MLS Futbolito! €žÂ¢ would not be the success that we see today."

MLS Futbolito will continue to work with the League's community outreach initiative, MLS W.O.R.K.S., in supporting their initiatives such as Active Bodies Active Minds, a soccer-centered initiative that provides reading and fitness resources to motivate and reward children for being mentally and physically fit.

Associate level partners for MLS Futbolito are Allstate, adidas, The Home Depot, Makita, Pepsi, Volkswagen, Xbox and Quaker.

For further information about MLS Futbolito, visit the event's official site: www.MLSFutbolito.com . Below is the 2012 MLS Futbolito schedule, including park addresses, as well as the official competition format and registration information.

2012 MLS Futbolito Schedule

Sunday, June 17 - Houston (Hosted by Houston Dynamo)

HASP - Houston Amateur Sports Park

12131 Kirby Dr.

Houston, TX 77045

Saturday, June 23 - Chicago (Hosted by Chicago Fire)

Hanson Stadium

5501 West Fullerton Avenue

Chicago, IL 60639

Sunday, July 8 - New England (Hosted by New England Revolution)

Gillette Stadium

1 Patriot Place

Foxborough, MA 02035

Saturday, July 14 - New York City (Hosted by New York Red Bulls)

Flushing Meadows Corona Park

13140 Fowler Avenue

Flushing, NY 11355

Saturday, July 28 - Dallas (Hosted by FC Dallas)

Complex at FC Dallas Stadium

9200 World Cup Way

Frisco, TX 75034

Saturday, August 4 - Washington, D.C (Hosted by D.C. United)

Maryland SoccerPlex

18031 Central Park Cir.

Boyds, MD 20841

Sunday, August 12 - (Hosted by Philadelphia Union)

Science & Discovery High School

1100 W. 10th Street

Chester, PA 19013

Sunday, August 19 - Los Angeles (Hosted by Chivas USA)

Bell Gardens

7000 Park Ln

Bell Gardens, CA 90201

Competition Format and Registration Information

The 4-v-4 tournament is open to players of all ages, abilities and affiliations. Team rosters can consist of up to seven players (four field players and three substitutes) and each team will play in round-robin action, with the possibility of advancing to the single-elimination championship playoff.

Teams registered for the competition will be divided according to age groups and competitive levels with winners in each division receiving prizes. In addition to participating, each registered player will receive a ticket to an MLS match (in applicable markets), and the chance to win prizes from the sponsors. There will be $3,000 in cash prizes ($2,000 for first place and $1,000 for second place) for adult premier.

More information on the competitions and events in both English and Spanish can be found on the official web site for Futbolito: www.MLSFutbolito.com . Teams can register for competitions, obtain all rules and regulations and learn about the competition dates and locations. Additionally, interested participants with questions can call toll-free at +1-888-MLS-FUTBOLITO. The entrance fee is $150 per team for those competing in the Adult Premier Division and $120 per team for all other participants.

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