NEWS RELEASE
March 7, 2012
Name: Jed Mette
SJ Earthquakes
Phone: 408-556-7774
Email: jmettee@sjearthquakes.com
Caleb Olson
Street Soccer USA (SSUSA)
Phone: 415-857-5336
Email: press@streetsoccerusa.org
Major League Soccer Star Aims to Score for the Homeless
Chris Wondolowski and Street Soccer USA launch “One Goal at a Time” Campaign
SAN FRANCISCO, March 7, 2012 – Street Soccer USA, a non-profit organization that seeks to end homelessness through sports, today announced that Chris Wondolowski, Major League Soccer’s leading goal scorer for the past two seasons, is partnering with the organization to make a difference in the lives of the homeless in the Bay Area through the “One Goal at a Time” campaign. For every goal Wondolowski scores in 2012 MLS season, Chris is pledging a $100 donation to Street Soccer USA (SSUSA) and is asking fans to join his mission.
Chris, who has been National Ambassador for SSUSA since August 2011, has seen the program’s impact first hand – as nearly 75 percent of participants connect to jobs, housing, or further education within a year of play. “It’s a distinct honor to give the homeless youth of San Francisco Bay Area access to a program like Street Soccer USA, said Chris Wondolowski. “I urge fans to make a pledge as we embark on this campaign together so we can help end homelessness, one goal at a time.”
“In the U.S., we are very lucky to have great youth sports programs,” said Rob Cann, Street Soccer USA Director. “Unfortunately, not everyone has the chance to participate. Street Soccer USA gives that opportunity to the people that need it the most and through the “One Goal at a Time” campaign we can all play our role on the team to end homelessness.”
The campaign will start with the Earthquakes home opener on March 10th and extend through the MLS Cup finals on December 1, 2012. Fans can make a pledge by visiting OneGoalataTime.org. Fans can also follow his progress all year long on Twitter @StreetSoccerUSA, #1Goal. These fans will be eligible for weekly giveaways and personal meetings with Chris as the season progresses.
About Chris Wondolowski
Chris Wondolowski is a native of Danville, CA and had a standout soccer career at Chico State University. He was drafted 41st overall in the 2005 MLS Supplemental Draft by the San Jose Earthquakes. Although he made only two MLS appearances for San Jose in 2005, he led the Earthquakes reserve team in scoring with eight goals in 12 games. Chris became part of the Houston Dynamo when the franchise was moved out of San Jose. At Houston he scored his first MLS goal and was then traded back to San Jose when the franchise was reinstated in 2009. Wondolowski had a breakout season in 2010 in which he led MLS in scoring with 18 goals in 26 matches, leading San Jose into the MLS Playoffs. He also scored his first playoff goal with the series winning goal against New York in their playoff game, propelling San Jose to a 3-2 aggregate win. Chris was named to the Major League Soccer "Best XI" for the 2010 and 2011 seasons. He was the “MLS Top Rated Player” in 2011 and led the league in scoring again. He earned a call up to the US Men’s National Team in January 2012.
About Street Soccer USA
Street Soccer USA (SSUSA) (www.streetsoccerusa.org) is sport for development program of HELP USA, which believes ending homelessness is a team sport. Through a systematic approach, SSUSA Builds community and trust through sport with participants and volunteers, transforming the context within which they live from one of isolation, abuse, and marginalization, to one of community, purpose, and achievement, requires participants to set 3, 6, and 12-month life goals, and empowers participants by providing access to services and educational/employment opportunities through our Jobs Academy. The Lady Salamander women's initiative has formed women's only teams at shelters across the U.S. as well. The program in San Francisco is operated in partnership with the St. Vincent de Paul MSC shelter and the SF Conservation Corps.
