Special Olympics Unified Sports® soccer players to compete for the eighth time in West vs. East All-Star game as part of MLS All-Star week festivities in Washington, DC
NEW YORK (July 7, 2023) – MLS WORKS, Major League Soccer’s social responsibility platform, and Coke Zero Sugar today announced the rosters for the 2023 Special Olympics Unified Sports All-Star Game, which will be played prior to the 2023 MLS All-Star Game in Washington, D.C. on July 19 at Audi Field. Rosters for each conference can be viewed here.
As part of the Special Olympics Unified Sports® All-Star experience, MLS WORKS and Coca-Cola will host 52 Unified team members, representing 26 MLS clubs for an 11 v. 11 competitive match. The 2023 Special Olympics Unified Sports All-Star Game presented by MLS WORKS and Coke Zero Sugar will be played on Wednesday, July 19 at 3 p.m. ET at the Glenn Warner Soccer Facility at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. The Unified Sports All-Star Game is free and open to the public.
The teams, comprised of players with intellectual disabilities (Special Olympics athletes) and without intellectual disabilities (Unified partners), will be outfitted in authentic uniforms provided by adidas. MLS Greats will serve as celebrity coaches for the game. The Unified All-Star teams will also be recognized on-field during the League’s All-Star Game.
The Unified All-Star Game is part of the season-long Special Olympics Unified Soccer Exchange program that provides opportunities for Unified soccer teams to participate in a first-team MLS experience.
The Unified All-Star Game is part of a week of soccer celebrations in the Nation’s Capital. For a full list of All-Star events, visit mlssoccer.com/all-star. MLS’ All-Star game will be available to watch in more than 100 countries and regions in English, Spanish and French on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app.
About MLS WORKS
Major League Soccer is dedicated to addressing important social issues and improving communities where we live and play our games. Through MLS WORKS, the league’s social responsibility platform, Major League Soccer and its clubs seek to improve the lives of those in need across the United States and Canada. To learn more visit MLSsoccer.com/MLSWORKS and follow @MLSWORKS on Twitter & Instagram.
About The Coca-Cola Company
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is a total beverage company with products sold in more than 200 countries and territories. Our company’s purpose is to refresh the world and make a difference. We sell multiple billion-dollar brands across several beverage categories worldwide. Our portfolio of sparkling soft drink brands includes Coca-Cola, Sprite and Fanta. Our hydration, sports, coffee and tea brands include Dasani, smartwater, vitaminwater, Topo Chico, BODYARMOR, Powerade, Costa, Georgia, Gold Peak and Ayataka. Our nutrition, juice, dairy and plant-based beverage brands include Minute Maid, Simply, innocent, Del Valle, fairlife and AdeS. We’re constantly transforming our portfolio, from reducing sugar in our drinks to bringing innovative new products to market. We seek to positively impact people’s lives, communities and the planet through water replenishment, packaging recycling, sustainable sourcing practices and carbon emissions reductions across our value chain. Together with our bottling partners, we employ more than 700,000 people, helping bring economic opportunity to local communities worldwide. Learn more at www.coca-colacompany.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.Â
About Special Olympics
Founded in 1968, Special Olympics is a global movement to end discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities. We foster acceptance of all people through the power of sport and programming in education, health and leadership. With more than six million athletes and Special Olympics Unified Sports® partners in over 190 countries and territories and more than one million coaches and volunteers, Special Olympics delivers more than 30 Olympic-type sports and over 100,000 Games and competitions every year. Engage with us on: Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn and our blog on Medium. Learn more at www.SpecialOlympics.org.
