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MLS Philadelphia Union

Philadelphia Union Partner with Philadelphia International Unity Cup

June 7, 2018 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Philadelphia Union News Release


CHESTER, Pa. - Mayor Jim Kenney; Parks & Recreation Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell, Commissioner of Philadelphia Parks & Recreation; Rafael Toro, Director of Public Relations at Goya Foods; Miriam Enriquez, Director of the Office of Immigrant Affairs (OIA); and other City officials attended the third annual Philadelphia International Unity Cup draw event. The Philadelphia International Unity Cup, presented by Goya Foods, is a World Cup-style tournament, which will begin August 3, 2018 and will culminate with the championship game on October 13, 2018. The tournament unites the city's neighborhoods and celebrates its diverse immigrant communities through the camaraderie and showmanship of soccer. A signature initiative of Mayor Jim Kenney, the Unity Cup became an annual tradition after its massively successful inaugural year in 2016.

The Mayor also announced that the Philadelphia Union will host the 2018 Unity Cup championship at Talen Energy Stadium for the first time in the Unity Cup's history. The event will also receive the support of the Philadelphia Union Foundation, and the Union will host Community Youth Clinics throughout the tournament, bringing soccer instruction and education to children across Philadelphia.

"The Philadelphia International Unity Cup continues to grow each year, thanks to the incredible enthusiasm and work of our players, coaches, and staff," said Mayor Jim Kenney. "With more countries participating this year than ever before, the Unity Cup truly is an amazing opportunity for Philadelphia to celebrate its cultural diversity and encourage our residents to explore our city's many cultures. The Unity Cup showcases the respect, cooperation, and camaraderie that makes Philadelphia so special."

This year's tournament welcomes 11 new countries: Albania, England, Spain, Belize, El Salvador, Peru, Mali, Gambia, Guinea, Saudi Arabia, and Kenya. Along with their veteran counterparts, the 52 teams will play in more than 104 games total this season. The tournament has grown from having 32 teams in the first year, 48 teams in the second year and 52 teams this year.

"Soccer is the most popular international sport, and is rapidly growing throughout the United States both on a professional and recreational level," said Rafael Toro, Director of Public Relations of Goya Foods. "For Goya, this sponsorship platform provides an opportunity to bring people together through sport and to celebrate Philadelphia - a city known for its rich culture and diversity."

In 2017, Mayor Kenney presented a proclamation declaring June "Immigrant Heritage Month" in Philadelphia. Through the International Unity Cup, the City of Philadelphia's Office of Immigrant Affairs and Department of Parks & Recreation have focused their efforts to better connect Philadelphia's immigrant communities with each other and with city organizations. The Unity Cup promotes inclusion and celebration of Philadelphia's diverse community through the love of soccer.

"Philadelphia Parks & Recreation recognizes the incredibly important role that both sports and culture play in our city," said Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell. "We are so thrilled to bring you the Third Annual Unity Cup. I can already feel the excitement as we kick off this tournament."

"We are proud to partner with Philadelphia Parks and Recreation and our distinguished city officials to support the Philadelphia Unity Cup," said Tim McDermott, Union Chief Business Officer. "This tournament is a tremendous community initiative that celebrates the diversity and multiculturalism of our city, bringing people together through soccer. We think that having the championship match at Talen Energy Stadium will make this the best Unity Cup yet."

Mayor Kenney drew one team from each group's designated bucket, forming 13 different groups for the rounds of the tournament. The rounds selected are as follows:

The teams will be divided into four groups:

1. 2017 Top 13 Finishers

2. Africa

3. Europe, Middle East, North America

4. Asia, South America, Central America

Group A: Italy, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Argentina

Group B: Mongolia, Guinea, Haiti, Colombia

Group C: Jamaica, Morocco, Greece, Thailand

Group D: Honduras, Gambia, Mexico, Myanmar

Group E: Senegal, Mali, Albania, South Korea

Group F: Sierra Leone, Togo, Lithuania, Belize

Group G: Ethiopia, Ghana, England, Peru

Group H: Puerto Rico, DR Congo, United States, Bhutan

Group I: Ivory Coast, Sudan, Ukraine, India

Group J: Liberia, South Africa, Spain, Guatemala

Group K: Bosnia Herzegovina, Algeria, Ireland, El Salvador

Group L: Serbia, Kenya, Israel, Vietnam

Group M: Brazil, Cameroon, France, Venezuela

The schedule for the rounds of the tournament will be created in the coming weeks. For more information regarding the Philadelphia International Unity Cup, please visit: unitycup.phila.gov/ or contact the Unity Cup committee via email at PHLUnityCup@phila.gov.

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