Union Omaha and Colorado Springs Switchbacks Partner with Special Olympics Nebraska and Special Olympics Colorado for 2023 Unified Series
Published on July 6, 2023 under United Soccer League One (USL1)
Union Omaha News Release
PAPILLION, Neb. -Union Omaha and Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, in conjunction with Special Olympics Nebraska and Special Olympics Colorado, announced today the continuation of the Unified Soccer Series. The Unified Soccer Series is the first of its kind within the United Soccer League (USL) and will consist of two matches, one in Omaha, Neb. and one in Colorado Springs, Co. featuring Special Olympics Unified teams from both states. The matches, scheduled for July 8 in Omaha and August 9 in Colorado Springs, will be played at Werner Park and Weidner Field, respectively.
The match at Weidner Field will put the Unified Series in the national spotlight, taking place during the 2023 USL Summer Showcase, which includes the USL's annual mid-season meetings where over 200 executives from the USL's professional and pre-professional clubs will visit Colorado Springs.
The Special Olympics Unified Sports program focuses on promoting social inclusion through shared sports training and competition experiences and joins people with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team. Teams are currently being established through each state's Special Olympics program.
"When I first started talking to Special Olympics Nebraska about a possible Unified team, the goal was always to expand the concept to other USL markets and get our athletes as many matches in big stadiums in front of big crowds as possible," Union Omaha General Manager Peter Marlette said. "These matches with Colorado Springs are the next step in this process. It was exciting to speak with Colorado Springs about this series earlier in the year. Neither of us realized it originally, but Colorado Springs was building a Unified team and simultaneously working towards the same goal we were.
"While we can't wait to host them at Werner Park, the opportunity to showcase Unified teams to the entire USL ecosystem on August 9th at Weidner Field during the USL Summer Showcase is an incredible opportunity for Union Omaha and our Unified athletes," Marlette said.
"It's very exciting to see how far the Switchbacks FC Unified Program has come along, since its inception in 2021," Colorado Springs Business Development Manager Jon Taylor said. "The match-up between both clubs is the next step in our progress to make Unified Soccer a staple for the USL. We are excited for the road trip to Omaha in July and then showcasing Unified Programming on August 9th at the USL Summer Showcase. This Unified Team is the true meaning of inclusion."
"We are very excited to continue the Unified Soccer Series with Special Olympics Colorado and the Switchbacks FC," Special Olympics Nebraska Vice President of Program Nate Parks said. "We share the same ideals and goals and can't wait to showcase each Unified team's talented athletes both in Omaha and in Colorado Springs. This is the start of something bigger, and we couldn't be more appreciative of this great opportunity for our athletes to compete on a stage like this with such passionate fan bases."
"The Special Olympics Colorado Switchbacks Unified Soccer team is excited and honored to be traveling to Omaha," Special Olympics Colorado Southeast Regional Manager Kyle Kemper said. "While our athletes have a competitive spirit they also love making and building friendships. This game is a chance for competition, fun, and friendship."
United Soccer League One Stories from July 6, 2023
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