MLS and FOX Sports are hosting a five-episode eMLS Tournament Special presented by Coca-Cola® and PlayStation® in support of MLS Unites. Featuring MLS and eMLS players, the second round of the single-elimination EA SPORTS™ FIFA 20 tournament will air Sunday, April 26 when Minnesota United FC (Tyler Miller & Jay Adams) takes on Sporting Kansas City (Wan Kuzain & Alexander ‘ALEKZANDUR’ Betancourt), and D.C. United (Paul Arriola & Mohamed ‘KingCJ0’ Diop) faces off against the New England Revolution (Diego Fagundez & John ‘JKO’ Oliveira). After each episode, MLS WORKS, the league’s social responsibility platform, and FOX Sports will make a donation on behalf of the winning club to Feeding America®, with MLS also supporting Food Banks Canada.
League partner Headspace, a global leader in mindfulness and meditation, has unlocked a free, specially-curated “Weathering the storm” collection of meditation, sleep, and movement exercises in the Headspace app. Available in English, French, German, Spanish, and Portuguese, the “Weathering the storm” compilation of resources can help everyone find some space to take care of their minds during the global health crisis.
Headspace is also providing free subscriptions to U.S., U.K., and French healthcare providers and free access to K-12 teachers, school administrators, and supporting staff in the U.S., UK, Canada, and Australia. For additional information on the available resources, visit headspace.com/covid-19.
MLS Unites was launched in partnership with the Major League Soccer Players Association. For additional ways the initiative is helping those in need, follow #MLSUnites. For more information on “MLS Unites,” visit MLSsoccer.com/MLSUnites.
A sampling of the way our clubs are positively impacting local communities is detailed below, with more to be featured on @MLS and @MLS WORKS, as well as club social platforms.
“MLS Unites For Those in Need”
Atlanta United – Atlanta United announced its ‘United We Conquer’ initiative which serves as a platform for the club to give back to the community, acknowledge and support those on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis and offer resources for fans and community members who would like to learn about safe volunteering opportunities. Included in the initiative, the Atlanta United Foundation granted long-time partner Soccer in the Streets $85,000 to assist with the non-profit’s operational and coaching expenses during this time. The club created a community resources page on its website which houses information on how Atlanta United and its partners are collaborating with organizations throughout the city to offer a variety of resources such as access to food, childcare, financial relief, local rideshare and fitness opportunities. The club also placed billboard tributes in the metro-Atlanta area dedicated to the women and men working in essential industries supporting our community. Additionally, Atlanta United owner, Arthur Blank, and The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation committed nearly $5.4 million in funding for immediate and long-term recovery assistance to organizations providing critical support throughout Georgia and Montana. The Foundation will grant $5 million to The Greater Atlanta COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund established by United Way of Greater Atlanta and Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta.
Austin FC – Austin FC and Upper Ninety, a program of 4ATX Foundation, have teamed up to develop and share via social media family resource lists, guiding those who need assistance in the greater Austin area to the right places, people and organizations who can help. Following a donation to Austin Community Foundation’s Stand With Austin Fund, designed to support nonprofits, individuals, and small businesses impacted by the cancellation of SXSW, Austin FC continue to feature a series of information and resources designed to empower community members who need help, and those who wish to help others. Austin FC also recently led an initiative to support Founding Partner St. David’s HealthCare’s staff by working with local food trucks to feed over 1,000 St. David’s HealthCare workers when they completed their shifts. Finally, on April 21, Austin FC and Founding Partner YETI are launching a fundraising campaign on to raise funds for Central Texas Food Bank. As Austin FC is the 27th MLS Club, the Club has set a fundraising target of $27,000, aiming to achieve that by April 27. Austin FC will match every dollar raised until the goal is reached, and, as a special thank you, YETI will provide the top 10 donors with a YETI Roadie Hard Cooler. The funds raised will then go to support families in need in Austin and Central Texas.
Charlotte MLS Team – Charlotte MLS owner David Tepper, through the David A. Tepper Foundation, donated $2.65 million to help the local community in the face of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. In addition, the Foundation is supporting relief efforts in other parts of the country. The local charitable donations were announced to the COVID-19 Response Fund (launched by Foundation For the Carolinas and United Way of Central Carolinas), the Atrium Health Foundation, the Novant Health Foundation and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Foundation.
Chicago Fire FC – Chicago Fire FC is supporting the Chicago Community COVID-19 Response Fund and the American Red Cross. In collaboration with the City of Chicago, The Chicago Community Trust and United Way of Metro Chicago launched the Chicago Community COVID-19 Response Fund to unite the funds raised by Chicago’s philanthropies, corporations and individuals to be disbursed to nonprofit organizations across the region. The Fire is also raising awareness that blood donations are desperately needed in the state of Illinois. Donating blood products is essential to community health and eligible donors are strongly urged to donate during the COVID-19 outbreak. As part of our nation’s critical infrastructure, healthy individuals can still donate in areas that have issued shelter in place declarations.
FC Cincinnati – The FC Cincinnati Foundation announced that donations in excess of $10,000 by club fans, partners, FCC staff and players Siem de Jong, Bobby Edwards, Tommy McCabe and Nick Hagglund have been collected to support West End neighborhood families during the COVID-19 crisis. The donations will help fund student meal initiatives at Cincinnati College Preparatory Academy, Hayes Porter, and the St. Joseph School, all of which are located in the West End. FC Cincinnati players Nick Hagglund, Kekuta Manneh, Haris Medunjanin and Tommy McCabe volunteered with the Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio to deliver essential items around the area to senior citizens who are unable to leave their homes. Hagglund and Edwards will join a video call this Thursday with members of the West End Pride, the club’s SAY Soccer team based in the West End neighborhood of Cincinnati. On Friday, FC Cincinnati and the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati will launch “Story Time with a Soccer Star,” a new ongoing series that will see FC Cincinnati players read a book while it is streamed on Facebook Live. At 12 p.m. on Friday, April 24, Greg Garza will kick off the initiative with a special Spanish-language reading of “El Coleccionista de Palabras” (The Word Collector) by Peter H. Reynolds.
Colorado Rapids – The Colorado Rapids and Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE), along with other Colorado-area venues, donated food to We Don’t Waste, the Rapids food recovery partner. Rapids fans may visit coloradorapids.com/how-get-involved for numerous volunteer opportunities, such as delivering hot and frozen meals to homebound seniors through Meals on Wheels. The Rapids have also launched ONECLUB. ONECOMMUNITY., a club initiative to entertain fans, keep the community connected & informed, and elevate local heroes.
Columbus Crew SC – Columbus Crew SC Investor-Operators and Haslam Sports Group founders Dee and Jimmy Haslam, on behalf of the Haslam family, pledged $1.5 million to COVID-19 relief funds throughout the state of Ohio. Black & Gold players have also participated in safe-health practice PSAs about #StayatHome, as well as the importance of proper hygiene and hand-washing. The Club has created at-home activities for supporters to encourage social distancing, including: a Kids Corner (including arts and craft activities as well as players doing read-alongs for children), detailed analysis of 2020 matches, instructional workout videos and registered dietician meal planning recipes. Additionally, Crew SC midfielders Sebastian Berhalter and Aidan Morris competed in the Twitch Rivals Super Games, an online Fortnite tournament to raise money for charity.
D.C. United – D.C. United are committed to making an immediate impact hyper locally in our community. The club has formed an amazing partnership with local non-profit, Martha’s Table, inspired by the actions of our First Team players and are using our in-stadium resources to support matchday staff who have been impacted by the uncertainty of this season’s schedule. #UniteTheDistrict: D.C. United’s First Team has come together to launch a player-led effort, #UniteTheDistrict, to raise funds to support the greater Washington, D.C. area in our continued fight against COVID-19. This fund will benefit Martha’s Table, to aid their mission of supporting strong children, strong families, and strong communities, especially during this time of increased need. In addition to the player-driven fundraiser, D.C. United is donating up to $50,000 in food and cash to the cause. Family Food Baskets: In the spirit of being stronger when we are United, the clubhas packaged food items from Audi Field into Family Food Baskets for our matchday staff and guest experience team. Each member will receive a Family Food Basket with enough food to feed a family of four for four meals.
