The tragic school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, has affected those in Canada and the United States.
Houston Dynamo president Chris Canetti got in touch with one of the only people he still knew connected to the Connecticut soccer scene: Eric Da Costa, head coach of the Quinnipiac University soccer men's soccer team. Da Costa got the ball rolling, reaching out to youth soccer people in the area, including the Connecticut Football Club youth program, and suddenly things were in motion.
What emerged — and has quickly picked up momentum — is “Soccer Night in Newtown,” a special event taking place on January 7 and open only to Newtown residents and members of the Newtown Youth Soccer Club. Local families and children will be able to meet MLS team stars, play in small-sided games, and spend an afternoon thinking about the beautiful game rather than the ugliness of recent events.
Through MLS W.O.R.K.S., 30 MLS players confirmed their involvement, including Whitecaps FC players Brad Knighton and Omar Salgado.
All players who are attending will take part in what is shaping up to be a very special day for the Newtown community.
Participating players:
Columbus Crew
Ethan Finlay
FC Dallas
Zach Loyd, Bobby Warshaw
Houston Dynamo
Corey Ashe, Brad Davis, Brian Ching, Ricardo Clark, Tally Hall
LA Galaxy
Landon Donovan, Sean Franklin, Rafael Garcia,
New England Revolution
Kevin Alston, Darrius Barnes, Ryan Guy, Matt Reis, Clyde Simms, Chris Tierney, Bobby Shuttleworth
New York Red Bulls
Kenny Cooper, Heath Pearce, Ryan Meara
Philadelphia Union
Chris Albright, Ray Gaddis
Real Salt Lake
Kwame Watson-Siriboe
San Jose Earthquakes
Marcus Tracy
Seattle Sounders
David Estrada, Josh Ford
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Brad Knighton, Omar Salgado
US Men’s Legends
Cobi Jones, Alexi Lalas, Eric Wynalda, Mike Burns, Tony Meola
US Women’s Legends
Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly, Christie Rampone
