At halftime of the 2019 MLS All-Star Game presented by Target on Wednesday, Steven Cruz was voted the MLS WORKS Community MVP presented by Wells Fargo. Cruz wins $25,000 for the program of his choice, Academia de Futbol Juvenil Amatense, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit that recycles lightly used soccer equipment and builds soccer academies in Central America.
Cruz has worked with AFJA to establish three academies to date, with the participants required to remain in good standing in school, attending regularly, and working in their local communities to help better their surroundings.
Each of the 24 Major League Soccer clubs nominated a Community MVP contestant this year, with the public voting for the winner. The other 23 nominees will receive $1,000 each for the cause of their choice.
