A Special Olympics Unified Sports soccer match between Special Olympics Kansas and Special Olympics New Jersey will be played at Red Bull Arena immediately following Sporting Kansas City's match against the New York Red Bulls on Saturday night. Teams will consist of Special Olympics athletes and Unified partners (peers without intellectual disabilities) with each Special Olympics Unified Team wearing their respective MLS club’s uniforms.
The Special Olympics Kansas team will be given an all-access experience throughout their trip, including a two-night stay at the official team hotel, use of the visiting team locker room at Red Bull Arena and tickets to Yankees Stadium for tomorrow night’s Major League Baseball game between the New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals.
With the encouragement and support of Sporting KC and Major League Soccer, Special Olympics athletes are not only receiving an extraordinary competitive experience, but are also provided a forum to demonstrate their talents and abilities to MLS fans and the greater soccer community. Unified Sports uses sport as a shortcut to understanding and friendship on and off the pitch, while allowing players to build confidence, develop soccer skills and learn teamwork.
Unified Sports exchange matches are the cornerstone of the ongoing partnership between MLS and Special Olympics North America. Unified soccer teams from MLS cities travel to other MLS markets to receive training from MLS players and coaches, in addition to competing in exhibition matches with their Special Olympics counterparts in that MLS market.
The partnership between Sporting KC and Special Olympics Kansas is in its second season and has included interaction with Sporting KC players through athletic clinics, along with exclusive access to opportunities and events unique to Sporting Club and Sporting Kansas City. Sporting KC defender Seth Sinovic serves as an Ambassador to Kansas Unified Sports League for Special Olympics Kansas.
