Press Releases and News

MINI-PITCH GRAND OPENING TO TAKE PLACE ON OCT. 22

WHAT: The Philadelphia Union, U.S. Soccer Foundation, MLS Works, Adidas and Southern New Hampshire University will unveil a new mini soccer pitch in Chester, Pa. The new mini-pitch is part of the 20 for 20 Mini-Pitch Initiative that aims to offer children in underserved communities a safe place to play soccer.

WHO: The following Union representatives will be in attendance:
Dr. Nooha Ahmed-Lee –YSC Academy Head of School
Tommy Wilson – Philadelphia Union Academy Director
Carl Cherkin – Vice President of Business Relations, Philadelphia Union
Jim Korman – board member, Philadelphia Union Foundation
Jim Curtin – head coach
Maurice Edu – defender
Ray Gaddis – defender
Brian Carroll – midfielder
Sebastien Le Toux – midfielder

WHERE: Stetser Elementary School
808 E. 17th Street
Chester, Pa.

WHEN: Thursday, Oct. 22 1:45-3 p.m.

Media Contacts:

Ashley Dabb
Philadelphia Union
adabb@philadelphiaunion.com
(862) 268-5977

Chris Winkler
Philadelphia Union
cwinkler@philadelphiaunion.com
(716) 430-9477

Charlotte Muscroft
Philadelphia Union
cmuscroft@philadelphiaunion.com
(816) 387-7202

Krista Washington
U.S. Soccer Foundation
kwashington@ussoccerfoundation.org
240-872-6662

About Keystone Sports and Entertainment, LLC
Keystone Sports and Entertainment, LLC, is the ownership group of Philadelphia Union. The group launched the Philadelphia Union’s inaugural season on March 25, 2010 and opened PPL Park on June 27, 2010. Since joining MLS, the Union have faced off against European powers Celtic FC, Manchester United, Everton, Real Madrid, Schalke 04, Aston Villa, Stoke City FC, and Mexican powers Chivas de Guadalajara and Pumas UNAM. PPL Park holds approximately 18,500 seats and has hosted various including: 2012 MLS All-Star Game, USWNT vs. China, Army/Navy Soccer Cup (2012-15), Big East Men’s Soccer Championship (2012-15), USA Sevens Collegiate Rugby Championships (2011-15), 2013 NCAA Men’s College Cup and 2014 Women’s World Cup CONCACAF qualifiers. In 2015, PPL Park hosted the CONCACAF Gold Cup Third Place Match between the United States and Panama as well as recently promoted AFC Bournemouth. For more information about Philadelphia Union, visit www.philadelphiaunion.com.

About the U.S. Soccer Foundation
The U.S. Soccer Foundation is a recognized leader in sports-based youth development programs for children in underserved, urban communities. Since its founding in 1994, the organization has provided more than $100 million in funding to create and sustain innovative programs across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Proven to deliver positive health and social outcomes, the Foundation’s affordable initiatives offer safe environments in which both boys and girls thrive. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the U.S. Soccer Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization. To learn more, visit ussoccerfoundation.org or follow us at facebook.com/ussoccerfoundation and twitter.com/ussoccerfndn.

OUR PARTNERS

adidas

adidas, the Foundation’s Safe Places to Play – Mini-Pitch Partner, supports providing children in underserved communities with safe play spaces nationwide. adidas strives to be the globally leading and most popular sporting goods brand. Dedicated to innovation, adidas embraces creativity and seeks to be socially responsible in all facets of its brand. For more information, please visit adidas.com.
CHA

CHA Sports, the Foundation’s Supplier for Soccer Facility Design and Planning Services, provides community partners with expertise in soccer facility design. CHA Sport’s full service approach allows the company to build world-class projects without breaking budgets. For more information, please visit chacompanies.com.
The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation

DICK’S Sporting Goods and The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation believe that participation in sports makes people better. Since 2014, DICK’S and The DICK’S Foundation have pledged more than $100 million to support youth sports teams and leagues in need. Through our Sports Matter initiative we strive to increase awareness for underfunded youth athletics nationwide and provide much-needed support through equipment, uniform and monetary donations. For more information on Sports Matter, visit SportsMatter.org.
Kwik Goal

Kwik Goal, the Foundation’s Official Supplier for goals, seating, boundary equipment, training equipment and coaching accessories, will be supporting a variety of Foundation programs and initiatives including: Soccer for Success, National Training and the Safe Places to Play program. Over thirty years ago, Kwik Goal was founded on the revolutionary concept of providing transportable goals for coaches at all age levels. Since that time, Kwik Goal has continued to focus on helping coaches and soccer programs create safe and dynamic learning environments by supplying high quality, safety tested soccer goals, field equipment and training equipment to the domestic and international market. For more information, please visit Kwikgoal.com.
MLS WORKS

MLS WORKS, Major League Soccer’s community outreach initiative, is dedicated to addressing important social issues and serves as a platform for both League and club philanthropic programs. MLS WORKS seeks to establish Major League Soccer as a leader for improving the lives of people through sport. MLS WORKS is committed to improving the communities where we live and play our games by executing national programs and legacy projects, charitable giving campaigns, and undertaking various initiatives in underserved communities.
Musco

As a proud corporate partner of the U.S. Soccer Foundation, Musco is dedicated to helping the major charitable arm of American soccer create new opportunities through high-quality sports lighting. Their Total Light Control—TLC for LED™ technology is engineered as a system with lighting, structural, and electrical components designed to work together for streamlined installation and long-term reliability. TLC for LED delivers superior field lighting while eliminating glare and spill from impacting surrounding neighborhoods. And Musco’s long-term warranty covering parts and labor means U.S. Soccer Foundation partners don’t have to handle any maintenance on their system, or pay for it, for 25 years. Visit https://ussoccerfoundation.org/grants/ to learn more about the grant program and application process.
SCORE Sports

SCORE Sports, the preferred provider of shin guards to the Foundation’s Soccer for Success program, is a family-owned and operated business specializing in sports equipment, uniforms and apparel. SCORE is an industry leader and has been involved in the sports community for over 40 years. SCORE outfits athletes with high-quality uniforms that SCORE develops, designs and manufactures in the U.S. SCORE takes pride in working with various non-profit groups and causes to give back to athletes who may need some extra support to play the game they love. SCORE is environmentally cautious with the materials it uses for its products and does its part in minimizing our environmental footprint. SCORE proudly offers a wide variety of products to provide customers with a one-stop shop for all your soccer needs. For more information, please visit scoresports.com.
Soccer.com

Soccer.com, the Foundation’s National Partner for Soccer Equipment and Uniforms, was founded in 1984 to provide high quality soccer gear at reasonable prices through its nationally circulated catalog. Soccer.com embodies a passion for the game that extends to the people who play, coach and support soccer. For more information, please visit soccer.com.
Target

Target announced a national partnership with Safe Places to Play in 2017, along with a $6 million commitment to build 100 new soccer play spaces with the U.S. Soccer Foundation by 2020. This is the latest initiative in the Minneapolis-based retailer’s multi-dimensional approach to the sport of soccer, bringing the game to more kids and families across the country, and unlocking access and increasing involvement at all levels.
TGI Worldwide

TGI Worldwide, the Foundation’s National Partner for Visual Branding (Signage, Event Décor, Pageantry, Sponsorship Activation), Perimeter Field Board Systems, Creative Services and Event Operations is proud to support a variety of initiatives and programs throughout the United States. Headquartered in the U.S., TGI is an internationally recognized sports marketing company delivering high profile Visual Branding, Live Event Management, LED, and cutting edge Digital Sports Applications to enrich the experience at major events and deliver commercial impact for sponsors and partners. The company has a 20-year history in providing its various solutions for many top-tier domestic and international events, organizations, teams and companies, with proven success and turn-key solutions across 1000+ events, 160+ cities and 50+ countries globally.

For more information on our services, please visit https://www.worldwidetgi.com or contact Mike Squire at msquire@worldwidetgi.com / Phone: 312-371-5852.
World Soccer Shop

Launched in 2001, World Soccer Shop is an online soccer retailer based in Birmingham, Alabama. It carries one of the world’s widest selections of officially-licensed products from the sport’s top brands and teams. World Soccer Shop is passionate about soccer and endeavors to spread the beautiful game around the world, especially to those in areas of need. For more information, please visit www.worldsoccershop.com.