MLS Major League Soccer

MLS W.O.R.K.S. Helps Kick-Off MLS Cup 2010 by Giving Back to the Toronto Community

November 15, 2010 - Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release


NEW YORK (Monday, November 15, 2010) - MLS W.O.R.K.S., Major League Soccer's community outreach initiative, will help kick-off the festivities leading up to the League's championship game, MLS Cup 2010, with two community service events in Toronto. The events -- a visit to The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto and dedication ceremony and a community center refurbishment -- are part of the MLS W.O.R.K.S. Community Service Program, a collaborative effort to combine sport and service, promote good will within MLS markets and improve lives and communities at the grassroots level. MLS Cup 2010 will be played on Sunday, Nov. 21 at 8:30 p.m. ET at BMO Field in Toronto.

On Wednesday, November 17, as part of the MLS Cup trophy arrival celebration, MLS W.O.R.K.S. will team up with Starlight Children's Foundation to unveil a new Starlight Fun Center(tm) mobile entertainment unit at SickKids in downtown Toronto. Designed to combat the fatigue, fear and loneliness faced by hospitalized children, Fun Centers feature a gaming system, DVD player and LCD TV. Past MLS Cup winners Dwayne De Rosario and Jon Conway of Toronto FC will be in attendance. Former MLS player Geoff Aunger -- the first Canadian to win MLS Cup (1997) -- will also be on hand to play Fun Center games with young patients and participate in other activities prior to the unit's dedication ceremony. Patients will also be able to get autographs and take pictures with the Philip F. Anschutz championship trophy.

MLS W.O.R.K.S. and official home improvement sponsor, The Home Depot, will join forces on Thursday, November 18 to refurbish a Boys and Girls Club at St. Mary Catholic School. MLS players, including members of the MLS 2010 Best XI, MLS Commissioner Don Garber and Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE) executives will join 40 associates from The Home Depot and local volunteers to provide a safe, clean and modern environment for local youth. The refurbishment is part of The Home Depot's ongoing commitment to give back to the communities it serves.

"MLS W.O.R.K.S. is honored to work with Starlight Children's Foundation, the Boys and Girls Club and The Home Depot at MLS Cup 2010," said JoAnn Neale, Executive Vice President, Major League Soccer. "Toronto FC has actively given back to the community through a variety of initiatives and we are happy to expand on their efforts to help make a difference locally in a community that has really embraced Major League Soccer."

MLS W.O.R.K.S., The Home Depot and Seth Stammler, the MLS W.O.R.K.S. Humanitarian of the Year, will also be recognizing 16 Community MVPs during halftime of MLS Cup 2010. Community MVP's, representing each of the League's 16 clubs, were chosen based on their efforts to make a difference in their local communities.

2010 MLS W.O.R.K.S./The Home Depot Community MVPs:

Chicago Fire: Carlos Jaramillo

Chivas USA: Gilbert Gonzales

Colorado Rapids: Dan Ruybal

Columbus Crew: Merv Brereton

FC Dallas: Matt Moran Jr.

D.C. United: Debbie Corbett

Houston Dynamo: Susan Leining

Kansas City Wizards: Krista Quinn

LA Galaxy: Kenny Green

New England Revolution: Rebecca Kantar

New York Red Bulls: Dan McGuire

Philadelphia Union: Patricia Trippley Demiranda

Real Salt Lake: Samuel Bentley

San Jose Earthquakes: Don Gagliardi

Seattle Sounders FC: Katie Pendleton

Toronto FC: David Lin

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