Washington content to debut across _The Players’ Tribune_ channels on Sept. 29
NASHVILLE, Tenn. // NEW YORK (Sept. 29, 2023) – Audi of America, Major League Soccer and The Players’ Tribune today announced that Nashville SC defender Taylor Washington will be featured in the “Celebrating Impact” content series for his demonstration of excellence in driving progress in his community.
Working directly with Washington to spotlight causes that are important to him, content will be unveiled through written, video, and social across The Players’ Tribune’s channels, amplifying the power of Washington’s voice and raising awareness for charities close to his heart.
Taylor Washington is wholeheartedly dedicated to making a difference in every community in which he lives, including Nashville, by servicing underprivileged and underrepresented communities, as well as children in need. Throughout his life, Washington has made helping others his core mission, spending countless hours a week improving the lives of those in need with an emphasis in children and the homeless community.
Since moving to Nashville in 2018, Washington spotted and understood the homelessness crisis that exists in the community, and as result he has consistently used his platform to advocate for the homeless by volunteering at different shelters, including the Nashville Rescue Mission, a faith-based community committed to helping the hungry, hurting and homeless. Every week, he volunteers at different shelters and helps those who are hurting be and feel seen.
Aiding children in need is also a cause that lives close to his heart as a result of the friendship he built with Dominic Eugene Liples and his family. Despite Dominic is no longer with us, his life and impact lives with Washington whose commitment to serving children fighting life threatening diagnosis is unprecedented. Washington’s continuous efforts include often visits to the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, where he raises awareness about childhood cancer and brings joy to pediatric cancer patients, and his collaboration with the Make a Wish of Middle Tennessee.
“Nashville Rescue Mission serves over 1,600 meals and people a day, and their work is life changing for people in the Nashville community by helping them to be seen and live their lives,” said Washington. “To watch so many people come in and be fed is extremely humbling, and I know that the Nashville Rescue Mission is going to do so much with the contribution that Audi is providing them through the Audi Goals Drive Progress fund. The funds are going into great hands and will make a difference in the lives of people who deserve and need it.”
In honor of Washington’s incredible work driving progress off the field, Audi will be making a $20,000 contribution through the Audi Goals Drive Progress fund to the Nashville Rescue Mission, the nonprofit organization Washington has selected.
Audi’s immense commitment to community projects will also be highlighted as part of the end of year player recognitions with the new Audi Goals Drive Progress Impact Award presented by MLS WORKS (formerly MLS WORKS Humanitarian of the Year). A selection committee – comprised of current players, technical staff, front office staff and media members – will consider current MLS players whose dedication to charitable efforts and social impact work creates sustainable communities, fosters equity and inclusion, and enriches the lives of those in need across the U.S. and Canada. During MLS Cup presented by Audi, the League and Audi will present the winner of the Audi Goals Drive Progress Impact Award with a $100,000 contribution to the player’s select nonprofit organization.
As a longstanding partner, Audi has made an immeasurable impact on the lives and playing careers of young soccer players as the force behind the Audi “Goals Drive Progress” program. Launched in 2019, the Audi Goals Drive Progress initiative provides funding to further enhance the experience of young players on and off the field at MLS academies, which play an essential role in developing talented players in the U.S. and Canada. With a new program development starting in 2023, the Audi Goals Drive Progress initiative has evolved to not only support player development on the pitch but also bring an impact off the pitch by financially supporting and spotlighting MLS players’ community initiatives.
Audi has been a champion of MLS during a period of tremendous momentum behind the sport of soccer in North America, as Major League Soccer is in the midst of its 28th season and as the 2026 World Cup hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico approaches. The Audi Goals Drive Progress initiative has funded $4 million to support MLS academies – making an immeasurable impact on the lives and playing careers of young soccer players.
For more information on Celebrating Impact, visit theplayerstribune.com and MLSsoccer.com. Join the conversation and excitement by following @Audi, @MLS, @MLSWORKS, and @ThePlayersTribune on social media.
ABOUT MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
Headquartered in New York City, Major League Soccer -- celebrating its 28th season in 2023 -- features 30 clubs throughout the United States and Canada, including a new expansion team in San Diego that will debut in 2025. All MLS, Leagues Cup,and select MLS NEXT Pro and MLS NEXT matches can be watched through MLS Season Pass, available on the Apple TV app on Apple devices, smart TVs, streaming devices, set-top boxes, and game consoles, and the web at tv.apple.com. MLS Season Pass will feature the most expansive and accessible lineup of programming ever for MLS fans. For more information about MLS, visit mlssoccer.com. For more information about the Apple TV app, visit apple.com/apple-tv-app.
ABOUT AUDI OF AMERICAAt Audi of America, we believe the future is electric. By 2025, our U.S. model lineup will be at least 30 percent electrified, including fully electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. Globally, we are committed to net CO2 neutrality by 2050. In 2022, Audi sold 186,875 vehicles in the U.S., sold more fully electric models than ever before, and achieved a record-breaking year in after sales. Learn more about who we are and how we're working to create a more sustainable, innovative, and inclusive future at audiusa.com or media.audiusa.com.
ABOUT THE PLAYERS’ TRIBUNE
The Players’ Tribune is an online sports media platform that developed the blueprint for athlete-driven storytelling. Developed by athletes for athletes, The Players’ Tribune brings together the athlete voice with the power of trusted and authentic narratives. By giving athletes premium tools and resources to create truly personal content and tell their stories, The Players’ Tribune is reimagining the world of sports and culture globally, through the player’s point of view. Co-Founded by Derek Jeter in 2014, and acquired by Minute Media in 2019, The Players’ Tribune provides creative partnership and a curated experience built on trust and representing the athlete point of view above all else. For more information visit www.theplayerstribune.com, or interact with the team on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
Media Contacts:
For Major League Soccer
Angela Alfano
For Audi
Amanda Koons
For The Players’ Tribune
Paige Graham
