2024 LAFC Special Olympics Unified Team

LAFC hosted 16 athletes on Wednesday, May 1 at BMO Stadium to sign official contracts for the club’s first-ever Special Olympics Unified Team, in partnership with BMO.

Unified team players and coaches were joined by LAFC midfielder and captain Ilie Sánchez, LAFC Co-President & General Manager John Thorrington and international soccer icon and 2022 MLS Cup Champion Giorgio Chiellini, who presented them with their authentic uniforms and training gear.

The LAFC Special Olympics Unified Team, created in collaboration with MLS Works and Special Olympics Southern California and with support from BMO, unites individuals between the ages of 16-25 with and without intellectual disabilities to compete as members of one team, further strengthening the club’s commitment to inclusivity on the pitch. As part of the program, the Unified team will attend weekly training sessions, play in scrimmages, and play matches against Unified teams from other Major League Soccer (MLS) Clubs.

The LAFC Special Olympics Unified Team kicks off their inaugural season on August 31, at BMO Stadium against the Houston Dynamo Special Olympics Unified Team following LAFC’s match against Houston Dynamo.

The current 2024 LAFC Special Olympics Unified Team competition schedule is listed below:

LAFC Unified Team vs. Houston Dynamo Unified Team

Date: Saturday, Aug. 31
Time: Immediately following LAFC vs Houston Dynamo MLS Regular Season match
Location: BMO Stadium, 3939 S Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90037

LAFC Unified Team vs FC Dallas Unified Team
Date: Saturday, Sept. 21
Time: TBD
Location: TBD

Additionally, members of the LAFC Special Olympics Unified Team will be selected to represent the club at the Special Olympics Unified Sports All-Star soccer match, as part of the MLS All-Star Week celebration in Columbus, OH this summer.