U.S. SOCCER FOUNDATION TO RECEIVE FINE MONIES FROM MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER PLAYERS UNION

U.S. SOCCER FOUNDATION TO RECEIVE FINE MONIES FROM MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER PLAYERS UNION

MLS Players Union’s Contribution Supports the Foundation’s Mini-Pitch Initiative

Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Soccer Foundation, the major charitable arm of soccer in the United States, today announced it was selected to receive a portion of the 2013 Major League Soccer season fine monies from the Major League Soccer Players Union as a part of its Collective Bargaining Agreement with MLS to donate all fine monies collected from MLS players to a charity or charities of their choice. The Union’s fine money contribution will support the Foundation’s mini-pitch initiative within its Safe Places to Play program.

“We are honored to receive a portion of the 2013 fine monies from the Major League Soccer Players Union,” said Ed Foster-Simeon, President and CEO of the U.S. Soccer Foundation. “These funds will greatly contribute to our mission to continue to help build mini-pitches for youth in underserved communities across the nation.”

The Safe Places to Play program provides grants to organizations to support the creation or enhancement of a field space in their respective communities. Recently, the Foundation has focused on the creation of mini-pitches or small fields, which are more conducive to play in urban areas that oftentimes lack available space for children to play the beautiful game. To date, the Foundation has helped create or enhance 1,000 play spaces nationwide.

“MLS players are proud to support and build upon our long-standing partnership with the U.S. Soccer Foundation,” said Bob Foose, Executive Director of the Major League Soccer Players Union. “We look forward to using this fine money to bolster the Foundation’s efforts to create safe places to play all across the United States.”

Last April, after the tragic Boston Marathon bombings, the Union distributed a portion of the 2013 fine money to One Fund Boston. In addition to the U.S. Soccer Foundation, the Union selected four additional organizations to receive the balance of the 2013 fine monies, including the Kirk Urso Memorial Fund, the Kuykenstrong Foundation, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and You Can Play. For more information on the MLS Players Union and its recipients, please visit http://bit.ly/1isEABe.

The U.S. Soccer Foundation continues to serve as a leader in sports-based youth development, and is dedicated to using soccer as a vehicle for social change, especially in underserved communities. The Foundation also supports organizations that provide children with access to quality soccer programs and safe places to play. To learn more about the U.S. Soccer Foundation, please visit www.ussoccerfoundation.org.

About the U.S. Soccer Foundation

The U.S. Soccer Foundation is a recognized leader in sports-based youth development programs for children in underserved, urban communities. Since its founding in 1994, the organization has provided more than $60 million in funding to create and sustain innovative programs across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Proven to deliver positive health and social outcomes, the Foundation’s affordable initiatives offer safe environments in which both boys and girls thrive. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the U.S. Soccer Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization. Visit http://www.ussoccerfoundation.org to learn more.

About the Major League Soccer Players Union 

The Major League Soccer Players Union, headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, is the exclusive bargaining representative for all Major League Soccer players. For more information about the Players Union, log on to its website at www.mlsplayers.org. For more information about this press release, contact Bob Foose at (301) 657-3535 or bfoose@mlsplayers.org.

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