Partnership to Prioritize Athletic and Social-Emotional Development for Fifth through Eighth Grade Student

Chicago, IL (July 10, 2024) – The American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) and Chicago Public Schools (CPS) announced a new partnership to enhance Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 youth soccer programming for 5th-8th graders as part of the CPS SCORE! Elementary Sports Program.

Under the partnership, AYSO will provide a comprehensive educational framework to integrate high-quality youth soccer programming with social-emotional learning principles. This initiative aims to support the growth of the CPS SCORE! Elementary Sports Soccer Program in an effort to align with the core values of the U.S. Soccer Federation, of which AYSO is a member organization.

As an approved vendor for the Chicago Public School District, AYSO will leverage its decades of youth development and technical training experience to implement a purpose-built coach development strategy with best-in-class resources, including age-appropriate online and in-person courses accredited by the National Committee for the Accreditation of Coaching Education (NCACE) and the United States Center for Coaching Excellence (USCCE). Additionally, the strategy includes best-in-class referee training managed by AYSO instructors and parent support through AYSO’s Safe Haven program.

In collaboration with CPS’s Office of Social and Emotional Learning (OSEL), AYSO’s unique programming model allows young athletes to develop physically, mentally, and emotionally outside the traditional classroom. Students will have opportunities to refine interpersonal skills and nurture their ability to demonstrate responsible conduct through thoughtful decisions in an age-appropriate 9v9 or 11v11 player team environment.

“CPS is thrilled to partner with AYSO to support the continued advancement of our elementary soccer programs,” said Juliana Zavala, CPS Senior Manager of Elementary Sports. “Through this partnership, student-athletes in grades 5-8 will have the incredible opportunity to develop their athletic and social-emotional learning skills with expert instruction.”

To bring soccer to more youth athletes before, during, and after school, AYSO will utilize its AYSO PLAY! Program to increase access to soccer programs while maintaining the highest quality of soccer training and child development outcomes. The synergy of in-school and recreational programming further establishes a player pathway to play soccer in the local Chicago area.

AYSO Chicago Area Director (6D) Drew McElligott is delighted about the partnership, which will amplify positive youth soccer participation in elementary schools throughout his community. “It’s exciting and inspiring that CPS and AYSO are partnering together with a shared vision and shared value system focused on what’s most important—the students—and their experience and engagement with soccer and each other, and their development as young people,” remarked McElligott. “AYSO is running community-based, mission-driven youth soccer programs throughout Chicago and in Chicago suburban communities like mine with a focus on creating positive experiences and outcomes for boys and girls who are playing, learning, and learning to love the game of soccer regardless of their skill level, athleticism, experience, physical or mental disability, or financial constraints.”

For additional information about the AYSO and CPS partnership, contact AYSO Director of Community Engagement and Business Development, Chris Solomons at chrissolomons@ayso.org, or visit www.aysoplay.org/contact.

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About American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO)

American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) is a national nonprofit organization committed to delivering quality youth soccer programs in a fun, family-friendly environment. AYSO is rooted in Six Philosophies: Everyone Plays®, Balanced Teams, Open Registration, Positive Coaching, Good Sportsmanship, and Player Development. Now celebrating its 60th year since inception in 1964, AYSO programs span over 640 communities across the United States.

As a member organization of the U.S. Soccer Federation, all AYSO programs, including AYSO PLAY!, conform to U.S. Soccer standards for safety, training, education, and player development curricula. Learn more about AYSO at www.ayso.org.

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About Chicago Public Schools (CPS)

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is dedicated to providing a high-quality education to all students, beginning with the District’s free full-day preschool programming for four-year-old scholars and continuing through neighborhood, magnet and selective-enrollment elementary schools that provide a rigorous K-8 education with schools that specialize in the fine arts, world language and culture, dual language, STEM, International Baccalaureate (IB), classical programs, and more. The rising District-wide freshmen-on-track and high school graduation rates reflect the hard work of the CPS community, including families, staff, and students across 635 schools. CPS celebrates the diversity of its more than 323,000 students who cite 182 home languages. Learn more about CPS at www.cps.edu and connect with CPS on Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Thank you to all the coaches who helped create an inviting, encouraging, and enjoyable soccer experience for over 150 kids!

We had several special guests in attendance, including:

• Curtis Gardner and Emily Fay from the Colorado Soccer Foundation
• Jordan Clark from Iron Sharp Community Foundation
• Heidi Burgett, Matt Crocker, Anna Lavis, Jaspreet Rehal, and Shari Summers from the U.S. Soccer Federation
• Juliana Zavala from Chicago Public Schools

The PLAYSOCCER event was followed by the U.S. Soccer + AYSO PLAY! Community Clinic Series. With four additional events held over three days, the initiative successfully reached another 365 participants. Between PLAYSOCCER and the Community Clinics, AYSO now has a strong foundation for ongoing AYSO programming in the Denver area, ultimately bringing more soccer to more kids.

A big thank you to our host section, Section 9 and Section Director, Shannon Gordon, for being such gracious hosts and a great help throughout! Thank you to the NAGM 2024 committee, Kris Graff, Eileen Tabert, Penney Wakefield, Shannon Gordon, Margie Close, Patty Mallan, Chilo Rodarte, and Jared Cruz for all your work in bringing the event to fruition.

Our Burt Haimes AYSO Legacy Award Winner
Michael Karon

Section of the Year
Section 1 – Jane Prado

Area of the Year 
Area 5/C – Jason Lanier

Region of the Year
Region 6/D/418 – Michael Goroff

Honorable Mentions

Area of the Year Honorable Mention
Steve Singer, 10/V

Region of the Year Honorable Mention
Christopher Ogle, 5/B/440 and Rose Arsenault, 14/J/345

TORRANCE, CA (January 10, 2024) – The American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) is proud to introduce the AYSO PLAY! program, crafted to meaningfully increase access to soccer for youth nationwide, by overcoming common barriers to participation. This innovative, recreation-based initiative is adaptable and flexible, allowing communities to shape programs that best align with their needs while establishing a foundation for enduring success.

The culmination of years of planning and recent road testing of growth initiatives, AYSO PLAY! is singularly focused on captivating new youth players, instilling a love for the game in anticipation of the FIFA World Cup 2026 to be hosted in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.

“It’s no secret that 2026 presents an unprecedented opportunity for soccer’s growth in North America, and AYSO, with its legacy of community-based soccer and its reputation of being the best first soccer experience, is uniquely positioned to enhance access and deliver local programs” remarked Michael Karon, AYSO National President. “We are eager to significantly amplify youth participation and inspire a new generation of soccer journeys to begin.”

Reflecting on AYSO’s roots, AYSO National Executive Director Matt Winegar stated, “AYSO originated from a small group of parents looking to provide their children with something they didn’t have access to – a quality, fun youth soccer experience. AYSO PLAY! is a natural evolution of that same inspiration. Today, with AYSO PLAY!, we’ve streamlined operational hurdles for community-based soccer, and established new kinds of accessible entry points for players.”

Rather than a teams-and-leagues model, AYSO PLAY! offers session-based programs of varying durations – single day events, weekly academy-style sessions, or week-long camps.  All program options are built on three core principles that guide the creation of locally tailored programs:

1. Bring the Game TO the Players: Going where the players are means conducting soccer activities in diverse locations, including unconventional venues. This requires creativity in program delivery but enables broader participation and the acquisition of foundational skills.
2. Keeping it Affordable: Minimizing cost barriers is pivotal for program sustainability. AYSO PLAY! is developing a range of partnership, sponsorship, and funding strategies to keep costs minimal and, where necessary, subsidize playership.
3. Quality Training and Whole-Child Development: Aligned with AYSO’s vision, mission, and values, AYSO PLAY! prioritizes Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) principles, offering age-appropriate training and technical skills development with a child enrichment focus.

All new programs are created with an eye towards sustainability – keeping interest and excitement around soccer building in communities and offering participation options month after month, year after year.

Dan Howald, AYSO Senior Director of Program Implementation, expressed enthusiasm for local collaborations to date, stating, “We’ve been energized by the community leaders we’ve linked up with to deliver soccer programs where options are limited or out of reach.  There is great work being done by youth=serving organizations of all kinds, and recreational soccer fits seamlessly into what many of them are already doing”  He added, “We’re also really excited about creating synergies and complementary programming models, for our own AYSO Regions and with the broader youth soccer ecosystem.

Howald added, “AYSO PLAY! is an ideal plug-in or add-on for clubs or rec program providers who want to introduce the game to more players in their own communities.  The model is totally complementary to a traditional teams-and-leagues format, focused as it is on creating more soccer access and foundational training for new players. Everyone wins with more new players being brought into the game.”

To showcase its launch, AYSO PLAY! will be featured at the United Soccer Coaches Convention (Booth 821) from January 10-13 in Anaheim, CA. AYSO PLAY! staff will be available to discuss into program specifics in greater detail, and additional information is available at AYSOPLAY.org.

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About AYSO:

Celebrating its 60th year since inception in 1964, AYSO is a national nonprofit organization committed to delivering quality youth soccer programs in a fun, family-friendly environment. Rooted in AYSO’s Six Philosophies: Everyone Plays^®, Balanced Teams, Open Registration, Positive Coaching, Good Sportsmanship, and Player Development, AYSO programs span over 640 communities across the U.S.

As a member organization of the U.S. Soccer Federation, all AYSO programs including AYSO PLAY! conform to U.S. Soccer standards for safety, training, education, and player development curricula.  For more details, visit www.AYSO.org.

Media Contact:

The American Youth Soccer Organization
Dan Howald
danhowald@ayso.org

AYSO has always been a leader in youth development with our distinct Philosophies and child-centered approach; and we must continue to be intentional with our efforts and bold in our commitment to explicitly target social and current areas of need.

USC-MHS will offer organizational support, resources and guidance and offer in-person and virtual workshops to local Regions in our quest to address this important area of focus. USC-MHS believes in order to establish sport environments that promote and support positive mental health, participants struggling with mental health challenges need to be surrounded by people who are able to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental disorders, as well as be able to provide them basic information and resources to point them towards the pathway of support and recovery.

“In 2019, we identified mental health and wellness as an organizational priority, and post-COVID, the demand to supply resources and support has increased significantly,” stated Scott Snyder, AYSO Senior Director of Sport Development. “USC-MHS is the industry leader in mental health in sport research, trainings and applications, and will help educate AYSO in normalizing the topic, opening discussions to provide much needed local resources and guidance for our players and volunteers.”

USC-MHS Co-founder and Executive Director, Margaret Domka, stated, “We all have mental health, and we should never be ashamed to talk about it or get the support we need. Whether individuals’ mental health is thriving or languishing, the USC-MHS has the resources, training and support to help local AYSO Regions maximize the play environment and overall experience for all their membership including, of course, athletes.”

Online content and resources will be available this fall on the AYSO Mental Health and Well-Being site and workshop offerings will begin in early 2024. More details to come.

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About AYSO
Established in 1964, AYSO is a national nonprofit organization that develops and delivers quality youth soccer programs, which promote a fun, family environment based on AYSO’s Six Philosophies: Everyone Plays®, Balanced Teams, Open Registration, Positive Coaching, Good Sportsmanship, and Player Development. Today, AYSO has 1.6 million players, parents, siblings and volunteers. For more information, visit www.AYSO.org.

About The U.S. Center for Mental Health & Sport
The U.S. Center for Mental Health & Sport, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, develops sport environments that allow for optimum mental wellness by providing mental health awareness training and resources, opening pathways to access additional mental health support services, and committing to the advancement of mental health and sport research.  For more information, visit https://mentalhealthandsport.org/.

Since launching scorekeeping and live streaming capability for soccer in 2021, GameChanger has seen strong adoption among youth soccer teams. With this new partnership, AYSO and GameChanger look to grow the game by helping athletes, families and coaches stay connected. Using GameChanger’s top-rated app, coaches can seamlessly manage their teams, as well as score and live stream matches for families and friends with the ease of a few taps.

“We are thrilled to kick off this partnership with AYSO and work hand-in-hand to enhance the youth soccer experience for players, coaches, and families nationwide,” said Brett Rhodes, GameChanger director of strategic partnerships. “Together, we’ll unlock new possibilities, elevate the joy and love of the sport, and provide greater access and ease to AYSO members and programs through the power of GameChanger technology.”

“AYSO continually strives to create an all-around soccer experience, from registration to the field, and technology is a big part of helping us accomplish that goal,” shared Matt Winegar, AYSO Executive Director. “We are so excited for this partnership with GameChanger to connect our families on and off the pitch. We look forward to working with them to enhance the AYSO experience for all our members.”

The announcement comes on the heels of the 2023 AYSO National Games. Nearly 400 games were live-streamed on GameChanger during the tournament that took place in Irvine, California from July 24-30. AYSO operates in about 700 regions across the country, engaging nearly 400,000 players and an estimated 50,000 teams annually.

AYSO and GameChanger have created a landing page with all the information on how to activate and use the platform, that can be found by clicking here. More details to come on training webinars starting in September.

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About AYSO
Established in 1964, AYSO is a national nonprofit organization that develops and delivers quality youth soccer programs, which promote a fun, family environment based on AYSO’s Six Philosophies: Everyone Plays®, Balanced Teams, Open Registration, Positive Coaching, Good Sportsmanship, and Player Development. Today, AYSO has 1.6 million players, parents, siblings and volunteers. For more information, visit www.AYSO.org.

About GameChanger
GameChanger empowers athletes, coaches, and families to stay connected through live streaming, scorekeeping, team management tools and developmental resources. Available on iOS, Android, and the web, GameChanger covers over 5MM+ games annually and over 750K+ teams a year.  The live streaming and team management technology is available for all youth sports, with deep stats and scorekeeping capability for baseball, softball and basketball. GameChanger is based in New York City and is owned and operated by DICK’S Sporting Goods.

“AYSO fully supports the views and the call to action put forth by the Athletes Council,” shared Michael Karon, National President of AYSO and U.S. Soccer board member. “We believe SafeSport must evolve to meet the objectives it set out to accomplish. We will work collaboratively with U.S. Soccer, Congress and SafeSport to help initiate change that will protect all through improving SafeSport’s processes.”

AYSO has a long-standing record of incorporating youth participant safety in all our programming before SafeSport was implemented, but SafeSport has played an important role in advancing our shared goal of creating safe environments for sports participation over the last few years within the larger soccer landscape. And, while they remain an essential partner in this work, there are troubling limitations within SafeSport’s processes that have had a significant impact on the ability of national governing bodies (NGBs), like U.S. Soccer, to protect athletes and other participants.

U.S. Soccer and the Athletes Council have recommended improvements, which AYSO asks our AYSO members to support. Those recommendations include:

• Increased transparency and information sharing
• Increased ability for NGBs to take action
• Reform and reduced use of administrative closures
• Changes to the appeals process

AYSO calls on Congress to help make these critical changes a reality and ensure that an entity created by Congress to protect everyone in the Olympic movement, is effectively fulfilling its mission.

About AYSO
Established in 1964, AYSO is a national nonprofit organization that develops and delivers quality youth soccer programs, which promote a fun, family environment based on AYSO’s Six Philosophies: Everyone Plays®, Balanced Teams, Open Registration, Positive Coaching, Good Sportsmanship, and Player Development. Today, AYSO has 1.6 million players, parents, siblings and volunteers. For more information, visit www.AYSO.org.

About U.S. Soccer
Founded in 1913, the U.S. Soccer Federation has been the official governing body of the sport in the United States for more than 100 years. During that time, the sport has grown tremendously at all levels. As U.S. Soccer looks towards the future, its mission is to make soccer the preeminent sport in the United States. With a long-term and strategic approach, U.S. Soccer aims to accomplish its mission by supporting its members to increase participation at the youth and adult levels, develop world class players, coaches, and referees to consistently win at the highest levels on the international stage and serve the fans by engaging with them in deeper and more meaningful ways. For more information, visit ussoccer.com.

For more information, contact:
Yvonne Lara
YvonneLara@ayso.org
(424) 221-7971

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The event is hosted in conjunction with AYSO’s National Annual General Meeting, being held at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis. AYSO has an intentional growth strategy over the next few years, as the World Cup and the Olympics land on our shores, to target markets that have high barriers to entry in certain areas and lower those points by creating recreational soccer access in conjunction with community stakeholders, partners and sponsors.

The PLAYSOCCER® Atlanta event is one of the first events in the initiative, and is intended to not only introduce community members to the beautiful game, but to start conversations about next steps in providing programming moving forward.

“We’re thrilled to be hosting this event in Atlanta, a city with so much passion for soccer and many outstanding community organizations doing so much good for kids. We’re hoping our event inspires even more families to fall in love with the game, and we’re committed to making that last,” shared Dan Howald, Senior Director of Program Implementation, AYSO. “As excited as we are about the PLAYSOCCER® Atlanta event, the relationships we’ve developed here to help new players discover the joy of community-based programs, is what truly excites us as we look ahead.”

The event will be a FREE day of clinic/camp style play for children 3-13 years-of age, with morning and afternoon sessions for families to choose what is most convenient to them. All registered players will receive a gift bag which includes; a t-shirt, water bottle, soccer ball, shin guards and more, as well as, lunch from our food trucks onsite. In addition to the clinic/camp play, there will be a festival area for families and volunteers to enjoy. The event is currently full, but interested families are encouraged to still register via this link: https://ayso.org/playsoccer-atlanta-individuals/, to join the waitlist, as AYSO is planning on hosting smaller events later in the summer and into the fall.

U.S. Soccer CEO, JT Baston and U.S. Soccer President, Cindy Parlow Cone, will be on hand at the event, as well as, AYSO leadership, and other Atlanta community organizations.

Our event couldn’t happen without our amazing sponsors, The Home Depot Backyard, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Augusta Sportswear, Coca Cola United, New Balance, Sator Soccer, SCORE Sports, Sports Connect, Sport Pins International, SOCCER.com, The Promotions Department, and ZYRTEC®.

To learn more about AYSO, you can visit, www.AYSO.org.

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About AYSO
Established in 1964, AYSO is a national nonprofit organization that develops and delivers quality youth soccer programs, which promote a fun, family environment based on AYSO’s Six Philosophies: Everyone Plays®, Balanced Teams, Open Registration, Positive Coaching, Good Sportsmanship, and Player Development. Today, AYSO has 1.6 million players, parents, siblings and volunteers. For more information, visit www.AYSO.org.

For more information, contact:
Yvonne Lara
YvonneLara@ayso.org
(424) 221-7971

AYSO has made it a focus to partner with organizations whose missions and values align with the organization. NSA’s mission of fostering a positive learning environment to develop both young people’s athletic ability and character is the perfect fit for AYSO’s values and mission to enrich children’s lives through soccer.

“AYSO is and always has been about celebrating and enhancing youth soccer at the community level. Joining forces with Northland Sports Alliance – a community treasure that shares our mission and values — represents a tremendous opportunity for families in the area,” shared Dan Howald, Senior Director of Program Implementation, AYSO. “We’re excited to work together to deliver real player development in a fun, family-friendly, recreation-based program.”

“Our mission at Northland Sports Alliance is to provide recreational sports opportunities for kids and families in the Northland who just want to play, have fun, and learn with their friends,” said Stephanie Schieber, Executive Director, NSA. “Partnering with the AYSO, with their long history of providing world class soccer training and coaching opportunities, will bring together two likeminded organizations to take recreational soccer to the next level, continuing a tradition, we started over 50 years ago.”

As noted above, the partnership will be in conjunction with the local AYSO Region 1161, who are excited about the opportunity it provides for their current program, as Mark Dieckman, AYSO Regional Commissioner, recently shared. ‘’I’ve been around various soccer leagues throughout Missouri and Kansas for over 30 years as a referee, coach, regional registrar, and Regional Commissioner of AYSO Region 1161. Well run leagues are those that have quality coaching and instruction for players, a pathway for player development, and most of all, one where players and families have fun learning the game of soccer. Both AYSO and NSA have these qualities in their programs. Quality soccer isn’t about the price paid, but the quality of instruction and coaching. The AYSO/NSA relationship strengthens soccer development in the Northland by placing both longstanding clubs under one umbrella, which will provide the resources where players can develop to their fullest potential without having to leave the AYSO/NSA program for another program. Players can start as young as 3 years-old, and play all the way to their high school soccer career.”

The partnership officially begins this July, but registration is now open for Fall Soccer! Click Here to register.  Several events are planned through the summer for the community to learn more about the relationship and experience the game. More information to come, but please note upcoming key dates:

• Parent virtual Information Nights: July 26^th and July 27^th
• AYSO/NSA Summer Camp: August 7^th– 11^th
• In-person Coach Meeting: August 24^th
• Field Grand Opening: August, 25 – 27

For more information, contact:
Yvonne Lara
YvonneLara@ayso.org
(424) 221-7971

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About AYSO
Established in 1964, AYSO is a national nonprofit organization that develops and delivers quality youth soccer programs, which promote a fun, family environment based on AYSO’s Six Philosophies: Everyone Plays®, Balanced Teams, Open Registration, Positive Coaching, Good Sportsmanship, and Player Development. Today, AYSO has 1.6 million players, parents, siblings and volunteers. For more information, visit www.AYSO.org.

About Northland Sports Alliance
Northland Sports Alliance (NSA) is proud of the family-centered atmosphere that it promotes. The goal of the Northland Sports Alliance is to foster a positive learning environment that allows young people not only to develop their athletic ability but also to develop their character.

Through this new partnership, the Fire will provide resources that reach beyond the physical and tactical aspects of the sport to support AYSO’s players, coaches, and families on a holistic level. In collaboration with AYSO, the Fire will integrate its Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) tools within AYSO’s nationwide curriculum to develop well-rounded youth, on and off the field. Additionally, the Fire will provide AYSO members with professional-level services, such as in-person and virtual workshops and trainings, educational resources, and exclusive experiences at Fire home matches during the 2023 season.

“The Chicago Fire’s Soccer In The Community department are industry-leaders with their outcome-based education curriculum, which prioritizes and integrates SEL with technical soccer development”, said AYSO Director of Sport Development, Scott Snyder. “We are delighted to partner with them to further support the development of the whole child and help make AYSO the most holistic youth sports program in the U.S.”

A pioneer in the youth development space, the Fire has utilized the sport of soccer as a vehicle to bring children together to play and learn important life skills for more than a decade, serving thousands of children in Chicagoland annually. Through its Soccer In The Community team, the Fire is able to provide greater access to the sport to a wide range of communities, offering a comprehensive curriculum that places a strong emphasis on developing youth both on and off the field. With this new partnership, the Fire will be able to expand its ongoing work to support youth soccer players on a national level.

“We are proud that AYSO has chosen to partner with us. We recognize the important role sport plays in a child’s development, and we have been intentional about incorporating important life skills into our soccer programs and curriculum,” said Chicago Fire FC Senior Director of Community Soccer, Lee Hannant. “This national partnership validates the work we have been doing in this space and we look forward to working alongside AYSO to make an even greater impact on youth soccer players in Chicago and across the country.”

“AYSO gave me an opportunity to compete as a kid, foster new friendships and learn how to work within a team,” added Chicago Fire FC winger, Chris Mueller. “It introduced me to the game that I love and I’m so grateful to have had the chance to develop with AYSO. I’m thrilled that the Club is partnering with an organization that had such an impact on my life and will now continue to impact many more youth soccer players.”

As part of its Project Play Champion award by the Aspen Institute, AYSO is introducing SEL to its curriculum in a more practical and intentional manner. AYSO has been a leader in youth development with its distinct philosophies and child-centered approach, and this partnership is the latest example of the organization’s aim to be deliberate with its efforts and bold in its commitment to explicitly target social and emotional competencies.

AYSO has made it a focus to partner with organizations whose missions and values align with the organization. The Chicago Fire’s longstanding approach to integrate SEL across all their training will strengthen AYSO’s mission to truly enrich children’s lives by going beyond soccer’s technical, physical, and tactical aspects, providing a more holistic experience, and creating environments that are rich in life skills. Building on Project Play’s Calls for Coaches campaign, this offering provides practical application to soccer-based curriculum.

About AYSO
Established in 1964, AYSO is a national nonprofit organization that develops and delivers quality youth soccer programs, which promote a fun, family environment based on AYSO’s Six Philosophies: Everyone Plays®, Balanced Teams, Open Registration, Positive Coaching, Good Sportsmanship, and Player Development. Today, AYSO has 1.6 million players, parents, siblings and volunteers. For more information, visit www.AYSO.org.

About Chicago Fire FC

The Chicago Fire Football Club was founded in 1997 on the 126th anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire and will kick off its 26th season in Major League Soccer in 2023. The Fire have won six major domestic championship titles, including the 1998 MLS Cup, the 1998, 2000, 2003 and 2006 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cups, as well as the 2003 Supporters’ Shield. The Club’s charitable arm, the Chicago Fire Foundation, was recognized as ESPN’s 2019 Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year. The Fire plays their home matches at historic Soldier Field. For more information, visit www.chicagofirefc.com.

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Media Contact:

Yvonne Lara, AYSO

yvonnelara@ayso.org