Gonzalo Segares, Chicago Fire
Segares has devoted his time to bettering the Chicagoland community, serving as a spokesperson for Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network, was featured in the Chicago Department of Health’s campaign to promote the importance of receiving a flu shot and participated in the Chicago Pride Parade. Segares works with the Chicago Fire Foundation by donating his time to the Art of Futbol, Brews and Bites, and Soccer & Style Fashion Show fundraising events.
Eric Avila, Chivas USA
For a second consecutive year, Chivas USA’s Eric Avila participated in a head-shaving event with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a volunteer-driven charity dedicated to raising money for childhood cancer research. Along with nine other Chivas USA players, Avila led his teammates to raise over $5,000 for the cause.
Matt Lampson, Columbus Crew
Columbus Crew Homegrown goalkeeper Matt Lampson launched the LampStrong Foundation, Inc. in 2014. During the season, Lampson hosted over 60 LampStrong Heroes after Crew home & away matches throughout North America, including the inaugural Chipotle Homegrown match. He also hosted the annual LLS Hero Social at Crew Stadium.
Chris Klute, Colorado Rapids
Chris Klute played an active role in this season’s efforts to assist the Rapids community. Throughout the year, Klute has dedicated time and effort to events like the Commerce City Clinic, Rapids Recess and the Broomfield Pro League Camp. For the third year, Klute was an integral piece in the Rapids Special Olympics program, participating in practices, matches and parties with the Special Olympics athletes. Through all these he has distinguished himself as a leader in serving the community.
Sean Franklin, D.C. United
In his first season in D.C., All-star defender Sean Franklin has given his time unselfishly to numerous charity endeavors. In July, he was the hero for Make-A-Wish recipient Matt Jordan. He is an ambassador for Dreams for Kids DC and helped host the 2014 Extreme Recess Soccer clinic. He has also visited sick children at Children’s National Medical Center and wounded warriors at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
Zach Loyd, FC Dallas
Alongside wife Casey started soccer team for refugee youth (from Africa, Iraq, Nepali and Burma) in Dallas… Teaches players skills on the field and life values off the field, such as respect and discipline… Has team in competitive local league and has tutors to help catch players up academically... Uses combo of own money and friend/sponsor donations to support team.
Tally Hall, Houston Dynamo
With Brad Davis, co-led Brad and Tally's Banded Brigade to generate 2,800 donated tickets for U.S. Armed Forces members for July 4 home game and $20,000 in donations for Banded Brigade Outdoors, an organization that provides morale-boosting events like hunting trips for members of Armed Forces. Spokesperson for Bald is Beautiful charity initiative. Also participated in Business of Sports, a career-oriented summit for high school students.
AJ DeLaGarza, LA Galaxy
AJ DeLaGarza is always the first to volunteer his time to support the Los Angeles community. DeLaGarza has graciously given his time to Camps for Kids, visiting patients at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and unveiling a new soccer field in South Los Angeles. When his son, Luca, was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect he immediately thought of the other families affected by this condition and directed all monetary support to the Heart Center at CHLA raising over $25,000.
Karl Ouimette, Montreal Impact
For over 12 years, Karl supported his sister Julie, who unfortunately lost her battle with leukaemia this past September at the tender age of 20. He fulfilled his role as big brother in an exemplary fashion in her final moments, but he was also very dedicated and involved in helping others stricken with cancer throughout 2014. Karl is the honorary president of the Leucan shaved head challenge, which supports children who are affected by their change in image with the loss of their hair due to chemotherapy treatment. He is an active supporter of Nez pour Vivre, which assists young adults suffering from cancer. Karl has also made numerous visits to local schools to help spread the message of perseverance and courage to kids.
Kelyn Rowe, New England Revolution
Kelyn Rowe has spent 2014 promoting childhood cancer awareness as an ambassador for the Jessie Rees Foundation (Team NEGU). With multiple hospital visits, his own PSA, active social media promotion and a game day experience for patient families he personally planned, he’s spread the word to the Revs’ community. He also spends off days volunteering for the team’s charitable activities.
Luis Robles, New York Red Bulls
Off the pitch, Luis is active in the community making it a point to visit children's hospitals once a month no matter how hectic his schedule may be. He also makes monthly visits the Valley Foundation Program for Children with Autism. Luis regularly offers a helping hand at clinics and training programs for underprivileged children, community relations efforts on behalf of the Red Bulls, and still maintains ties with his hometown in Arizona with a series of clinics. Luis is heavily involved in the national initiative known as Athletes in Action, an organization that uses sports as a platform to help answer questions about faith and religion.
Michael Lahoud, Philadelphia Union
Michael Lahoud has been extremely active in raising funds and awareness to matters in his home country of Sierra Leone. He has been working with Schools for Salone, hosting local events and fundraisers to raise money to build a school in Sierra Leone. The season, Michael drew from his personal experience with the Ebola virus and the fear and discrimination that comes along with it by launching the #KickEbolaintheButt campaign. The campaign encourages people to challenge their friends to donate funds to a charity that is aiding in the fight against Ebola.
Diego Chara, Portland Timbers
Showing commitment to the Portland community through participation in the Somos Timbers Bilingual Reporter program, assistance at a number of soccer camps and speaking to a group of Latino families regarding the importance of education, midfielder Diego Chara also supports his home in Colombia. The Timbers Community Player of the Year spent quality time with a group of Colombian coaches visiting Portland through the Mercy Corps Sport 4 Change program and, with the help of adidas, delivered Timbers kits to his local neighborhood teams while helping promote Mercy Corps programs in Bogota.
Chris Wingert, Real Salt Lake
Chris Wingert is one of the club’s most dedicated and involved players in the community. Throughout the year, Chris works with multiple organizations that address a variety of issues. Chris volunteers with Hope Kids, hosting soccer events for kids who suffer from life-threatening illnesses; makes regular visits to the Primary Children’s Medical Center; runs soccer clinics for the Boys and Girls Club; leads acceptance campaigns in elementary schools, promoting diversity and inclusion; and educates families about skin cancer through the Utah Health Department and Utah Cancer Action Network.
Jon Busch, San Jose Earthquakes
Jon has raised over $25,000 for the Navy SEAL Foundation this season through his Saves for SEALs initiative, charitable auctions of his game-worn gear and commemorative T-shirt sales. Busch also made visits to Moffett Field to meet and greet members of the military and distribute complimentary Earthquakes match tickets to veterans and current service men and women.
Dylan Remick, Seattle Sounders FC
The second-year pro was a constant figure in the Seattle community this year. Among his many appearances, he was a monthly volunteer at Hope Place shelter for homeless women and children, made numerous visits to Seattle Children’s and Mary Bridge Children’s Hospitals, visited Oso, Washington during the tragic mudslides in March, shaved heads for cancer awareness, and waited tables for Cystic Fibrosis at The Metropolitan Grill. Dylan’s selflessness and care for the community is further exhibited by his 18 unpaid community appearances this season.
Soony Saad, Sporting Kansas City
Saad, 22, serves as a spokesman for the Shadow Buddies Foundation and has made numerous visits in 2014 to Children’s Mercy Hospital, Ronald McDonald House and Give Kids the World Village. He volunteers with Habitat for Humanity and attends charitable events to support the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Braden’s Hope for Childhood Cancer and The Victory Project.
Dwayne De Rosario, Toronto FC
Established “DeRo United” a program that aims to use soccer as a platform to help youth develop the skills and confidence they need to succeed on and off the field. The program helps teach youth the importance of leadership, teamwork, education, and health & nutrition. In addition, Dwayne participated in “We Day” creating a PSA speaking in support of education and community engagement for youth. Along with a number of appearances including the Toronto FC pro player clinic, Sick Kids Hospital Visit, Kickstart, Shape Up Open Practice, and the Players Gala.
David Ousted, Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Since joining the club in June 2013, David Ousted has been an excellent community ambassador for Whitecaps FC. The personable goalkeeper leads the team in charitable appearances this season. Highlights include visits to BC Children’s Hospital, the third annual Coast Salish Hope and Health event, Canadian Cancer Society’s Camp Goodtimes, Canucks Autism Network Sports Day, and several community camps and clinics.
