On July 31st, MLS and ESPN hosted the 6th Annual Special Olympics Unified Sports All-Star Match as part of MLS All-Star Week in Orlando, FL. The Unified Sports East and West All-Star soccer teams played an 11 v. 11 match, comprised of individuals with intellectual disabilities (Special Olympics athletes) and without intellectual disabilities (Unified partners). After a hard-fought match that was aired on ESPN3, the Eastern Conference emerged victorious, defeating the Western Conference 2-1. MLS Greats Cobi Jones and Oguchi Onyewu served as celebrity coaches for the match. The Unified teams were also recognized on-field during pre-game of the MLS All-Star Game presented by Target.
Procession ahead of the 6th Annual Special Olympics Unified Sports All-Star Soccer Match presented by MLS WORKS and ESPN
Celebrity Coaches, Cobi Jones and Oguchi Onyewu, shake hands before the match
After an action packed first half, the score remains 0-0
Eastern Conference All-Star celebrates Jack Goulrey's goal
Eastern Conference Goalkeeper, Emily Panousis, makes a save
Eastern Conference All-Star, Derrick Abrego, takes a shot on goal
Western Conference All-Stars have some fun documenting their experience
Western Conference All-Star, Julio Abad, takes on Eastern Conference All-Star, Derrick Abrego
Eastern Conference All-Stars defeat Western Conference All-Star 2-1
Celebrity Coach, Oguchi Onyewu, shakes hands with Western Conference All-Stars after the match
