MLS WORKS, ESPN and Coca-Cola Announce Roster for the 2022 Special Olympics Unified All-Star Soccer Game
July 17, 2022 - Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release
NEW YORK - MLS WORKS, Major League Soccer's social responsibility platform, ESPN and Coca-Cola announced the complete rosters for the 2022 Special Olympics Unified All-Star Game, which will be played prior to the 2022 MLS All-Star Game presented by Target in Minnesota. Player rosters for each conference can be viewed here.
As part of the Special Olympics Unified Sports® All-Star experience, MLS WORKS, ESPN and Coca-Cola will host 40 Unified team members, representing 20 MLS clubs for an 11 v. 11 competitive match. The teams, comprised of players with intellectual disabilities (Special Olympics athletes) and without intellectual disabilities (Unified partners) will play two 40-minute halves and will be outfitted in authentic uniforms provided by adidas.
The Special Olympics Unified All-Star Game presented by MLS WORKS, ESPN and Coca-Cola will take place on Wednesday, August 10 at the National Sports Center in Blaine, Minnesota at 3:30 p.m. CT. MLS Greats will serve as celebrity coaches for the game.
The Unified All-Star Game is part of the season-long Special Olympics Unified Soccer Exchange program that provides opportunities for Unified soccer teams to participate in a first-team MLS experience. MLS Unified soccer teams travel for exhibition matches, scheduled in conjunction with MLS first-team matches, to reinforce inclusivity and showcase the talents and abilities to MLS fans. MLS clubs provide authentic MLS first-team experiences such as signing days, jersey unveils, practices and scrimmages with MLS front office staff and first-team players, and game day recognition. Unified teams are outfitted in authentic uniforms provided by adidas.
The Unified All-Star Game is free and open to the public and will be streamed on ESPN3. The West and East Unified All-Star teams will also be recognized on-field during the MLS All-Star Game presented by Target taking place at Allianz Field at 7:30 PM CT. Tickets are available for purchase at SeatGeek.com.
Just prior to the Unified All-Star Game, the Special Olympics Unified Cup 2022 will show the world how the power of sport builds and shapes a diverse community that unites and empowers people of all abilities, from all backgrounds. The 2022 Special Olympics Unified Cup will be held in Detroit, Michigan from July 31 to August 6. A total of 22 teams will compete, including Special Olympics USA, which will be represented by two composite Unified teams: one all-male 11-a-side team and one all-female 7-a-side team. Athletes and Unified partners from eight U.S. Programs were selected to be part of Special Olympics USA after being nominated by their Special Olympics Program and their corresponding MLS Club, completing interviews, as well as in-person and virtual tryouts.
The Special Olympics Unified Cup 2022 in Detroit is made possible thanks to support from partners such as ESPN and The Coca-Cola Company, amongst others. For more information, visit unifiedcup.org.
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