On behalf of the 2016 AT&T MLS All-Star Game, MLS WORKS – Major League Soccer’s community outreach initiative – the U.S. Soccer Foundation, Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) and adidas will unveil a new mini-pitch located at Ocala STEAM Academy at 4:00 PM PT. The mini-pitch is part of the 20 for 20 Mini-Pitch Initiative, a commitment made by these partners to build 20 mini-pitches in underserved communities across North America. Each new mini-pitch offers children a safe place to play, while providing a soccer environment that encourages unstructured play within local communities, supporting the continued growth of the game. In collaboration with the U.S. Soccer Foundation and San Jose Earthquakes, America SCORES Bay Area will introduce Soccer for Success afterschool programming at Ocala STEAM Academy beginning this fall. Additionally, SNHU will award a full college scholarship to a deserving member of the local community as part of the dedication ceremony. Media are encouraged to attend the unveiling of the mini-pitch portion of MLS All-Star Community Day for content and interviews, including exclusive availability with select MLS All-Stars.
The full MLS All-Star Community Day on Wednesday, July 27 at Ocala STEAM Academy will be open to the public from 1:00 PM PT – 5:00 PM PT. Community members can enjoy carnival games and inflatables while local youth will have the opportunity to register for age-based soccer clinics administered by San Jose Earthquakes Academy Coaches. MLS sponsors will also support the event with charitable activations. Allstate is encouraging fans to donate new and gently-used soccer gear as part of its partnership with the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s Passback program and will provide fans a chance to meet soccer legend Brian McBride; Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is giving fans a chance to juggle for charity through their KickStarter activation. Every dollar raised will be donated to the new Soccer for Success program to begin this fall at Ocala STEAM Academy.
Following the official dedication, the MLS/San Jose Earthquakes All-Star Community Day’s Soccer Tournament’s Championship Match will be played on the new pitch.
WHO: The ceremony will include short remarks from:
• Jed Mettee, Vice President, Marketing and Communications, San Jose Earthquakes
• Ed Foster-Simeon, President & CEO, U.S. Soccer Foundation
• Bill Hartglass, Vice President, Strategic Partnerships & Channel Marketing, Southern New Hampshire University
• Zola Short, Director, Soccer Sports Marketing, adidas
• Dolores Marquez, Board President, Alum Rock Union School District
• Tracy Leathers, Principal, Ocala STEAM Academy
• Emily Queliza, Director of Public Affairs, America SCORES Bay Area
• Jeff Pope, On-Air host for Pope & Marla Show on Mix 106.5 (as emcee)
Special guests scheduled to appear include:
• 2016 AT&T MLS All-Star players
o (Note: this will serve as the exclusive media availability for to be determined select MLS All-Star players during All-Star Week in San Jose)
• San Jose Earthquakes Executives
VISUALS: Local San Jose boys and girls taking ceremonial first kick with players and executives. MLS/San Jose Earthquakes All-Star Community Day’s Soccer Tournament’s championship match will be played on the new pitch. 2016 AT&T MLS All-Star players will serve as celebrity coaches.
WHEN: Wednesday, July 27, 2016│4:00 pm – 5:00pm
WHERE: Ocala STEAM Academy
2800 Ocala Avenue
San Jose, CA 95148
MEDIA CONTACT: Media interested in attending the mini-pitch unveiling to conduct interviews or receive event photos must contact Al D’Agostino (al.dagostino@MLSsoccer.com).
ADDITIONAL MEDIA CONTACTS
Jake Pisani
San Jose Earthquakes
408-556-7774
jpisani@sjearthquakes.com
Kristin Lamas Patterson
Southern New Hampshire University
978-473-2979
k.patterson@snhu.edu
Kelly Clemens
U.S. Soccer Foundation
202-872-6651
kclemens@ussoccerfoundation.org
