AEG’s LA Galaxy Teamed Up With Special Olympics Southern California To Promote Social Inclusion Through Shared Sports Experiences

Uniting to promote social inclusion through sport, AEG’s LA Galaxy have partnered with the Special Olympics Southern California (SOSC) Unified Soccer Team Exchange program to recruit the next 20 athletes to become members of the 2022 SOSC Unified Soccer Team.

The Unified Soccer Experience brings together Special Olympic athletes with intellectual disabilities and individuals without disabilities for an exciting opportunity to unite as one team where they will train, compete in exhibition matches, and participate in social experiences that reinforce inclusivity and showcase the talents and abilities to MLS fans.

The co-ed Special Olympics team brings together athletes between the ages of 16 and 25, who have been selected based on three key factors: a player’s ability to work well with others and their ability to value teammates of all abilities; a high level of commitment to the Play United experience and to their teammates; and a level of understanding of the game and rules of soccer. The LA Galaxy SOSC team is scheduled to play matches this season against other MLS-affiliated Special Olympics Unified Soccer teams.

“Unified and inclusionary sports bring people together through shared experiences,” explained Thomas Braun, Senior Vice President, Soccer and Business Operations and Business Development at LA Galaxy. “LA Galaxy is honored to have participated in the recruitment of our next Special Olympics Unified Soccer Team because we understand the power that Unified Sports holds. Unified Sports allows all individuals with and without disabilities to establish lasting relationships through competing, training, and growing as equals.”

To learn more about the Special Olympics Unified Soccer Team, please click here.