Special Olympics athletes from Minnesota and Texas are gathering in the Twin Cities this week as Minnesota United Unified hosts Houston Dynamo Unified for a soccer match at TCF Bank Stadium. The two teams will square off following the match between the two clubs’ first teams on Wednesday, July 19 at 7:00 p.m. Fans are encouraged to stay and cheer on the Unified teams, composed of athletes both with and without intellectual disabilities. Their match is expected to kick off at 9:30 p.m.
Prior to their matchup, the groups will have team bonding experiences at the Minnesota Twins game and at the Minnesota Zoo. The night before their match, the Unified teams will head to Target Field to catch a game between the Twins and the visiting New York Yankees at 7 p.m. The next morning, the teams will visit the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley at 9:30 a.m.
Their match on Wednesday night is a part of the MLS Works partnership with Special Olympics, and the teams will meet again when Minnesota United travels to face Houston at home on Saturday, September 30 at BBVA Compass Stadium. This is the first year MNUFC will host a Unified match and the team’s first formal partnership with Special Olympics Minnesota.
"We're excited to be working with Minnesota United to support Unified Sports,” said Nick Cedergren, Unified Schools Coordinator. “This week will be really fun, and a great way to work towards truly living Unified."
Unified Itinerary
Twins Game: Tuesday, July 18 @ 7 p.m.
Minnesota Zoo: Wednesday, July 19 @ 9:30 a.m.
Unified Soccer Match: Wednesday, July 19 at 9:00 p.m.
Tickets are still available for the match this Wednesday, July 19 at TCF Bank Stadium when MNUFC meets Houston Dynamo for the second time this season after drawing 2-2 with them in April. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. The 5-Match Flex Plan provides fans the chance to pick the matches they’re most interested in for the rest of Minnesota United’s inaugural MLS season. Come see what all the buzz is about. 5-Match Flex Plan and other special ticket packages are available now at MNUFC.COM or by calling 763.4SOCCER.
