Chicharito, Jozy Altidore, and Nani To Put “The Real Heroes” on Their Backs - This Week in MLS

MLS Communications

Chicharito, Jozy Altidore, and Nani To Put “The Real Heroes” on Their Backs
As
MLS Unites to Thank Frontline and Essential Workers
, Major League Soccer is among the 14 leagues that on Monday announced “The Real Heroes Project,” a collaborative initiative to recognize and celebrate healthcare workers on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, as athletes are dedicating their jerseys and uniforms to special healthcare heroes who are helping their communities on the forefront of this global crisis.
Starting today, each participating athlete will share a personal thank you message to his/her healthcare hero on social media utilizing
#TheRealHeroes.
As a part of the initiative, MLS stars Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez (LA Galaxy), Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC), and Nani (Orlando City SC) are also among the featured pro athletes included in the multi-league public service announcement that will debut this Wednesday, May 6 across league and team platforms, with the help of creative agency 72andSunny, creative production company Hecho Studios, and media publication Adweek.
Media Assets for “The Real Heroes” initiative are available here.

MLS Players To Begin Voluntary Individual Workouts This Wednesday
As early as Wednesday, May 6, some MLS players will be lacing back up their boots and stepping back onto the outdoor fields at their club training facilities for voluntary individual workouts. In these very early stages of returning to training activities, teams around the league are submitting their club-specific plans to the League Office for approval to kick off voluntary individual sessions in strict compliance with the detailed league-wide health and safety protocols that were created in consultation with medical and infectious disease experts.
By allowing players, on a voluntary basis, to utilize team-operated fields for individual workouts, MLS clubs will be able to provide a controlled environment that ensures adherence to safety protocols and social distancing measures for players and staff. Player will be prohibited from accessing locker rooms, team gyms, and training rooms unless being used for post-operative and rehabilitation treatments, as directed by the club’s Chief Medical Officer.
More information is available in MLS Media Resources
, including the complete listing of health and safety protocols that must be implemented during voluntary individual workouts.
NYCFC Win Week 3 of eMLS Tournament Special presented by Coca-Cola® and PlayStation®
The New York City FC pair of goalkeeper Sean Johnson and eMLS pro FIFA player Chris Holly became the third team to advance, winning Week 3 of the eMLS Tournament Special presented by Coca-Cola® and PlayStation®. In a day of derby matches, the NYCFC pair first cruised to victory against the New York Red Bulls, with Johnson leading the way with a number of quality saves. On the other side of the bracket, FC Dallas midfielder Fafa Picault scored a golden goal with Zdenek Ondrasek to knock off the Houston Dynamo in the Texas Derby, sending himself and his FC Dallas eMLS teammate Ihab 'i9ibbs' Abualneel to the Week 3 Final. In the final, following another deadlock, Johnson scored a golden goal with teammate Héber to send he and Holly to the eMLS Tournament Special Championship Sunday on May 17.
Highlights From Week 3:

As part of MLS Unites, a leaguewide platform designed to educate communities, entertain fans and elevate heroic efforts taking place during the COVID-19 pandemic, the eMLS Tournament Special is a five-episode series that pits 16 MLS clubs against each other in EA SPORTS™ FIFA 20 competition. Four clubs compete in each episode with the winning club from each of the first four weeks advancing to a Champions Bracket set to take place on Sunday, May 17. Clubs are represented by both an MLS player and eMLS professional FIFA player.
In Week 4 matchups this week, Toronto FC, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Orlando City SC and Atlanta United will face off to determine the final participant in the Champions Bracket. One matchup is already set, with Week 2 winners Sporting KC facing off against Week 1 winner LAFC in the opening match on May 17. The Week 4 winners will meet NYCFC in the second Champions Bracket semifinal.
PRO Referee Koroleva moves from sidelines to the ER frontlines
The Professional Referee Organization’s Ekaterina “Katja” Koroleva is working her way through the officiating ranks while also serving on the frontlines of the Covid-19 pandemic as a board-certified Emergency Room Physician Assistant. In her role with Team Health at Regional Medical Center in San Jose, California, the MLS Video Assistant Referee – with prestigious international call-ups to oversee matches in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2020 Concacaf Women’s Olympic Qualifiers – is making a direct impact on hospitalized patients during these extraordinary times.
David Ochoa waiting in the wings as Rimando’s replacement at RSL
David Ochoa’s ascension through the Real Salt Lake academy to the first team could see the 19-year-old become the heir apartment to legend Nick Rimando as the starting goalkeeper. Ochoa started with the RSL Academy at age 15 with its residency program and quickly displayed his skill before signing a Homegrown Player contract ahead of the 2019 season. With Rimando’s recent retirement, Ochoa’s proven winning mentality at every stage of his young career could next be tested with the first team.
Ochoa helped Real Monarchs to a USL Championship title in 2019, where he was the youngest starting goalkeeper in league history. The young goalkeeper has represented both Mexico and the United States Youth National Teams, most recently appearing for the U.S. at the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup. Ochoa was the youngest of three goalkeepers called to represent the U.S. once again for the 2020 Concacaf Olympic Qualifiers and will be key figure in the team’s quest for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics once qualifying play resumes.
MLS Weekly Media Availability
With a continued focus on providing unparalleled access to top players, coaches and executives, Major League Soccer will host regular media availabilities with league personalities. This week, on Wednesday, the media availability will feature Sporting Kansas City captain and defender Matt Besler.

Besler will be available to discuss topics related to the Sporting Kansas City and the return to voluntary individual training on outdoor fields at team facilities.

Matt Besler

Wednesday, May 6

4 p.m. ET

Zoom Info:

Join Here:
https://mlssoccer.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7wQ3OJcaSpCw3wITbPXidg

Webinar ID: 958-0896-8770

Webinar Password: 395900
Media
Availabilities This Week Around MLS
Below are additional media availabilities from around the league.

Tuesday, May 5
10 a.m. ET – Seattle Sounders FC
General Manager & President of Soccer Garth Lagerwey
Head Coach Brian Schmetzer
Video Media Conference Call
Media planning to participate must RSVP and provide contact information to Matt Winter
(
MattW@SoundersFC.com
)
1 p.m. ET – FC Cincinnati midfielder Haris Medunjanin
Video Conference Call |
Join Here
Audio only dial-in: +1 (312) 626-6799
Zoom Meeting ID: 953 3726 9819
Password: 028452
Media planning to participate should inform Kevin Noonan
(
noonan@fccincinnati.com
or via text at 513-703-3425) by 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 5.
Wednesday, May 6
12:30 p.m. ET – Sporting Kansas City President/CEO Jake Reid
Video Media Conference Call |
Join via Zoom
Contact Rob Thomson (
RThomson@sportingkc.com
) if planning to participate.
4 p.m. ET – MLS Weekly Media Availability
Sporting Kansas City captain and defender Matt Besler
Video Media Conference Call |
Join via Zoom
Webinar ID: 958-0896-8770

Webinar Password: 395900
4 p.m. ET – FC Cincinnati Interim Head Coach Yoann Damet
Video Media Conference Call |
Join via Zoom
Audio only dial-in: +1 (312) 626-6799
Zoom Meeting ID: 953 3726 9819
Password: 028452
Media planning to participate should inform Kevin Noonan
(
noonan@fccincinnati.com
or via text at 513-703-3425) by 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6
Thursday, May 7
1 p.m. ET – FC Cincinnati Midfielder/Forward Joseph-Claude Gyau
Video Media Conference Call
|
Join via Zoom
Audio only dial-in: +1 (312) 626-6799
Zoom Meeting ID: 953 3726 9819
Password: 028452
Media who plan to participate should inform Kevin Noonan
(
noonan@fccincinnati.com
or via text at 513-703-3425) by 11 a.m. on Thursday