EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">HOUSTON EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">– EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">The Houston Dynamo EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">andEmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> Special Olympics Texas EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">will once again work together to create the EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Houston EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Dynamo Unified TeamEmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">,EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">presentedEmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> by 76EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">®EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">.EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> However, in light of the EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">ongoing EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">coronavirus pandemic, EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">the format and competitions for the team will look a little differentEmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> this yearEmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">.
EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">With the COVID-19 pandemic EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">making it unsafe for EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">teams EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">to travel and play typical games, EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">the Dynamo and seven other EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">MLS Unified Teams will EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">compete virtually in the EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Unified We PlayEmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">ChallengeEmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">. EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">This virtual competition will include both physical activities and soccer skills challengesEmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> that athletes and partners will compete in each week. The competition is set to runEmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> from June 29 through July 31 EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">and is EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">organized by MLS WORKS through Major League Soccer’s partnership with Special Olympics.
EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">The unique experience began earlier this month when the Club held a Virtual Signing Day for the Unified Team members. Houston Dynamo and Houston Dash players visited each Dynamo Unified Team member at home to deliver their jersey and official Club contract to the doorstep. Each team member signed his or her contract once back inside their home.
EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Each Dynamo Unified athlete received aEmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">n authentic Dynamo EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">jEmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">ersey withEmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> the player’s name and number on the back, aEmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> DynamoEmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> training topEmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> featuring the iconic 76 logo, a Dynamo EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">sEmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">occer ball, water bottle, sport sack and team scarf.
EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">All eight Unified Teams will have Special Olympics athletesEmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> and partnersEmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> compete in three divisions with points earned from head-to-head EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">matchupsEmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> to take place over a five-week period. At the end of the competition, the Unified Team with the most points at the top of the overall standings will be crowned champion.
EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; font-variant-ligatures: none !important;" xml:lang="EN-US">MLS EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; font-variant-ligatures: none !important;" xml:lang="EN-US">UNIFIEDEmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; font-variant-ligatures: none !important;" xml:lang="EN-US">TEAMS
EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">AtlantaEmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">United
EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Colorado Rapids
EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Houston Dynamo
EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">New England Revolution
EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">New York City FC
EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">New York Red BullEmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">s
EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Real Salt Lake
EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Sporting KC
EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">The Unified We Play EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">competition EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">is designed to provide a fun, inclusive and unique competition for MLS Unified Teams, who traditionally travel to play exchange matches inside MLS stadiums however will be unable to enjoy those experiences this year due to COVID-19 restrictions.EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> For more information on the United We Play Challenge visit https://www.houstondynamo.com/specialolympicsEmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">.
EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">This is the EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">fEmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">ifthEmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> year that theEmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> Dynamo and Special OlympicsEmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> TexasEmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">have EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">joined EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">togetherEmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">as part of a larger partnership witEmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">hEmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> MLS WORKS, Major League Soccer’s community outreach EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">initiativeEmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">,EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> and EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Special Olympics North AmericaEmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">. EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">The Dynamo and Special OlympicsEmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> TexasEmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> are collaborating to leverage the power of sports to promote an environment of social inclusion and acceptance by uniting people with and without intellectual disabilities through Special Olympics Unified Sports.
EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; font-variant-ligatures: none !important;" xml:lang="EN-US">ABOUT THE HOUSTON DYNAMO
EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">The Houston Dynamo are a Major League Soccer club that has won two MLS Cup championships, one Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and four conference championships in its first 14 seasons and has qualified to represent the United States in international competition seven times. The Dynamo have advanced to the Conference Championship series seven times in 14 years, the most of any Major League Soccer team since 2006; and the club’s four appearances in the MLS Cup Final are tied for the most in the league during that time span. The team trains on the Memorial Hermann Championship Field at Houston Sports Park (HSP), the premier training facility in Southeast Texas, and plays at BBVA Stadium in downtown Houston. For more information, log on to www.HoustonDynamo.comEmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">or call (713) 276-7500.
EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; font-variant-ligatures: none !important;" xml:lang="EN-US">ABOUT SPECIAL OLYMPICS TEXAS
EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Special Olympics Texas (SOTX) is a privately funded non-profit organization that changes lives
EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">through the power of sport by encouraging and empowering people with intellectual disabilities, promoting acceptance for all, and fostering communities of understanding and respect. SOTX provides continuing opportunities for more than 55,200 children and adults with intellectual disabilities throughout the Lone Star State to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy and friendship. To learn more, visit www.specialolympicstexas.orgEmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> or call 800.876.5646. Engage with us on: Twitter @SOTexasEmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">; fb.com/SpecialOlympicsTXEmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">; youtube.com/specialolympicstexas
EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; font-variant-ligatures: none !important;" xml:lang="EN-US">ABOUT EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; font-variant-ligatures: none !important;" xml:lang="EN-US">MOTIVA’S LICENSE OF THE EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; font-variant-ligatures: none !important;" xml:lang="EN-US">76®EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; font-variant-ligatures: none !important;" xml:lang="EN-US">BRAND
EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">76® is a registered trademark owned by Phillips 66 Company and licensed for exclusive use by Motiva Enterprises LLC in 26 gulf and eastern states. Motiva has launched a marketinEmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">g program to support its new 76-EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">branded wholesalers, bringing a localized approach to the Houston market through media, sponsorships and on-site retail activation support. Motiva will be launching an internal fundraising campaign to support Special Olympics as a part of a larger organizational effort to invest in the communities where EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">theyEmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> operate and market EmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US">theirEmbeddedFont, CalibriMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> fuels.
