Major League Soccer announced Wednesday the launch of the second annual Soccer For All Month. While the commitment to Soccer For All is ongoing, Soccer For All month showcases the collective efforts taking place throughout the league to foster more inclusive communities.
MLS clubs will conduct various activities in their local communities from now through June 30 to support Soccer For All including: Special Olympics Unified Sports® Soccer Exchange Matches presented by MLS WORKS and ESPN, anti-bullying programming, girls and women leadership events, LGBTQ Pride Nights and parades, health and wellness activities, as well as soccer clinics and events for homeless youth, power soccer teams (soccer teams for power wheelchair users), displaced individuals and youth from underserved communities.
MLS players will wear Soccer For All shirts during the procession and national anthems to support the month-long promotion on-field. In addition, clubs will wear adidas pride training tops during warmups. Fans can purchase Soccer For All shirts at MLSstore.com to benefit MLS WORKS charitable partners. The adidas pride training tops can be purchased at select stadium retail locations beginning on May 24 or at MLSstore.com beginning in June.
“Soccer For All month provides a unique opportunity to highlight our collective efforts to foster inclusion and diversity in our stadiums and communities,” said JoAnn Neale, MLS President & Chief Administrative Officer in a statement. “We are extremely proud of the deep commitment of our clubs to make everyone feel welcome at our games.”
Soccer For All, launched in March of 2018 through MLS WORKS, Major League Soccer’s social responsibility platform, signifies that everyone is welcome to MLS, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status and emphasizes the League’s commitment to drive positive social change and end discrimination.
The season-long campaign kicked-off in March with the launch of the latest public service announcement (PSA), which can be seen at the top of this page. Featuring all 24 clubs, the new PSA highlights the diversity of our players and new this year is the integration of MLS fans, reinforcing the message that all are welcome.
To join the conversation, fans are encouraged to use #SoccerForAll on social media and to follow @MLSWORKS on Twitter and Instagram and check back on MLSsoccer.com to see how clubs are activating in the community. For more information on Soccer For All, and other MLS WORKS initiatives, visit MLSsoccer.com/mlsworks.
