New Partnership aims to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Communities through Soccer in New York City’s Sunset Park
Brooklyn, NY – On November 20, 2021, Street Soccer USA coaches passed out new black- and yellow- colored uniforms to boys and girls from its Sunset Park Community Soccer Club in Brooklyn, NY. The new kits are the official uniforms of the German powerhouse Borussia Dortmund, known for developing some of the brightest stars in world soccer like Erling Haaland and Jadon Sancho, as well as the most dynamic talent on the current US Men’s National Soccer Team, Christian Pulisic and Gio Reyna.
As Borussia Dortmund looked beyond its border to make a social impact in the United States, it zeroed in on nonprofit Street Soccer USA, which helps boys and girls in communities not served by the US soccer system through its free programs. As part of the new partnership, Street Soccer players in Sunset Park, Brooklyn will not only wear the Borussia Dortmund colors, but they and their families will benefit from enhanced programming and several new opportunities that Street Soccer and Dortmund plan to launch as the partnership develops.
“Football has the power to connect people around the world. In our partnership with Street Soccer USA, we see a great opportunity to encourage young people and children from all different backgrounds to play football together, which through the diversity on the pitch creates value for the community overall,” says Daniel Lörcher, Head of Corporate Responsibility at Borussia Dortmund. “Borussia Dortmund believe that football belongs to everyone, no matter the gender, race, heritage, religion, wealth, size, or age. Therefore, supporting Street Soccer USA is a logical step for us to continue our commitment in the US together with a credible partner. We are looking forward to seeing many children and teens play football together, or as we like to say, see them be “United by Borussia.”
Founder and President of Street Soccer USA, Lawrence Cann emphasized the organizations’ shared values, “We are honored and proud to unite with an iconic global soccer leader like Borussia Dortmund whose values are aligned with our own. Our neighborhoods deserve the best and today Sunset Park got what it deserves. Together with Borussia Dortmund we will bring intensity and sincere passion to building community and creating progress through soccer for our players and their families.”
The uniform distribution was followed by a two-hour soccer festival at Sunset Park Recreation Center in Brooklyn that marked the end of Street Soccer’s Fall season. Practices begin again in December as players prepare to represent Sunset Park and Borussia Dortmund in the New York City Street League in 2022.
About Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund is one of the most successful football clubs in Germany. The club have won eight
league championships, five DFB-Pokals, one UEFA Champions League, one Intercontinental Cup, and
one UEFA Cup Winners Cup. With over 159,000 members in total, it is one of the five largest sports
clubs in Germany and is the seventh largest worldwide. For more information about Borussia Dortmund
(BVB), visit www.bvb.de.
About Street Soccer USA
Street Soccer USA is a national nonprofit that aims to fight poverty and strengthen communities through
soccer. Founded in 2009, Street Soccer USA connects soccer skills to life skills, providing best-in-class,
fun, and free soccer programming while helping participants cultivate positive relationships and find the
resources needed to succeed. Through its national cup series, city-wide street leagues, community soccer
clubs, and its life-skill curriculum and academic and social services support, Street Soccer USA helps
players and families discover their strengths, achieve their goals, and improve their futures. For more
information, visit www.streetsoccerusa.org.