Our George Washington team left Philadelphia on Friday, May 27th. When they arrived at the hotel, they were surprised by a meet and greet with the Philadelphia Union! Later that evening, they joined the Unified team from Special Olympics Colorado for a baseball game at the Coors Field where the Colorado Rockies took on the San Francisco Giants. The home team came away with the win (5-2), would this be a sign for scores to come?
On Saturday morning, our team took a stroll through Denver, Colorado to take in their surroundings. They stopped by a park to partake in a pre-workout. Later on, our team once again joined the Unified Colorado Rapids Team to watch the Philadelphia Union play against the Colorado Rapids. After an intense game, the game ended in a tie. Then both Unified teams took the field. As a bonus for our Unified Philadelphia Union, after their game, the Philadelphia Union players quickly showered, put on their suits and took to the field again to cheer on our team! At the end of both twenty minute halves, our Unified Philadelphia Union team was victorious with a final score of 7-5.
After the match, both teams were presented their medals at the awards ceremony featuring head coach Jim Curtin to conclud the evening. Our athletes and partners left the filed with smiles from ear to ear. The memories they all made during this trip will remain in their hearts forever.
Our George Washington Unified Team arrives at the airport!
Coach Curtain poses with a partner
Our George Washington Unified Team poses with the Philadelphia Union First Team
Catching a Rockies game at the Coors Field
George Washington Unified team takes the streets of Denver, CO
A Unified athlete and partner walk hand in hand while exploring Denver, CO
Unified Philadelphia Union poses prior to their game
Group huddle before the Exchange Game against the Unified Colorado Rapids
The entire Union First Team participate in the Unified Game as Fans in the Stands…or shall we say, fans on the field!
Awards Ceremony after the Exchange Game
Coach Curtain awards the Unified Philadelphia Union with the gold medal!
The Union First Team lines up to give our athletes and partners high fives
The Union First Team lines up to give our athletes and partners high fives
The Union First Team lines up to give our athletes and partners high fives
Our George Washington athletes and partners show off their gold
A Unified athlete and partner show off their gold medals
ABOUT UNIFIED SPORTS:
Special Olympics Unified Sports® creates an opportunity for people without intellectual disabilities to join in the sports experience by playing on a team with athletes with intellectual disabilities. Not only do the players all have fun, but attitude change and transformation happens on the playing field and the experiences create lifelong friendships.
About MLS Works & Special Olympics:
In 2013, MLS and Special Olympics created a Unified Sports exchange program that is the cornerstone of the ongoing partnership between MLS and Special Olympics North America. Unique to this partnership is an exchange program for Special Olympics Unified Sports soccer teams, which are comprised of players with and without intellectual disabilities. Through the Unified Sports soccer exchange program, Unified soccer teams from MLS cities travel to other MLS markets to receive training from MLS players and coaches, as well as compete in exhibition matches with their Special Olympics counterparts in that MLS market. Unified matches are scheduled in conjunction with MLS club matches, providing MLS fans with an opportunity to witness first-hand, the talents and abilities of Special Olympics athletes and unified partners. The exchange program not only provides Special Olympics athletes with top-level training and competitive experiences, but also excellent life experiences that they might not otherwise otherwise engage in.
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