NEW YORK (Thursday, April 11, 2013) – ¡MLS Futbolito!, the nation’s premier 4-v-4 tournament and one of the nation’s most successful grassroots soccer initiatives, returns to eight major U.S. cities this summer. The national tour kicks off Saturday, June 1 in the greater Denver area, hosted by the Colorado Rapids. Complete schedule can be found below or by clicking here.
As the official 4-v-4 tournament of Major League Soccer and one of the largest touring soccer events hosted by a U.S. professional sports league, MLS ¡Futbolito! is a series of all-day events targeting the League’s growing multicultural fan base. Nearly half a million payers of all ages have participated in MLS ¡Futbolito! since 2004.
“Now in its 11th year, MLS ¡Futbolito!™ continues to evolve and grow thanks to the commitment and support of our corporate partners and participating MLS Clubs,” said Craig McCarthy, director of partnership marketing for MLS. “This national grassroots initiative successfully and organically brings together families and communities across the United States to enjoy all aspects of soccer culture.”
Some of the 2013 MLS ¡Futbolito! tour highlights:
- Three MLS clubs will host MLS ¡Futbolito! on official League gamedays. Colorado Rapids (June 1), New England Revolution (July 6) and FC Dallas (July 13) will invite all participants to attend the club’s regular season match later that evening.
- For 2013, MLSsoccer.com will offer a mobile-friendly site MLSFutbolito.com, which will allow participants and friends alike to follow live scores from the local events.
- MLS ¡Futbolito! will continue to work with MLS WORKS, the League’s community outreach initiative, to support programs such as Active Bodies Active Minds, a soccer-centric initiative that provides resources to motivate, reward and encourage children to live a healthy lifestyle through fitness and nutrition.
Gatorade and Castrol join associate level partners adidas, Allstate, The Home Depot, Makita, Pepsi, Volkswagen, Xbox and Quaker as sponsors of the 2013 edition of MLS Futbolito.
For further information about MLS ¡Futbolito!, visit the event’s official site: www.MLSFutbolito.com. Below is the 2013 MLS ¡Futbolito! schedule, including park addresses, as well as the official competition format and registration information.
2013 MLS ¡Futbolito! Schedule
Saturday, June 1 – Denver (Hosted by Colorado Rapids)
Dick’s Sporting Goods Park – complex
6000 Victory Way
Commerce City, CO
Saturday, June 8 – Los Angeles (Hosted by Chivas USA)
Bell Gardens
7000 Park Ln
Bell Gardens, CA 9020
Sunday, June 23 – Houston (Hosted by Houston Dynamo)
Houston Amateur Sports Park
12131 Kirby Dr.
Houston, TX 77045
Saturday, July 6 – New England (Hosted by New England Revolution)
Gillette Stadium
1 Patriot Place
Foxborough, MA 02035
Saturday, July 13 – Dallas (Hosted by FC Dallas)
FC Dallas Stadium – complex
9200 World Cup Way
Frisco, TX 75033
Saturday, July 20 – New York City (Hosted by New York Red Bulls)
Flushing Meadows Corona Park
13140 Fowler Avenue
Flushing, NY 11255
Saturday, July 27 – Washington, D.C (Hosted by D.C. United)
Maryland SoccerPlex
18031 Central Park Cir.
Boyds, MD 20841
Saturday, August 3 – Chicago (Hosted by Chicago Fire)
Riis Park
6100 West Fullerton Avenue
Chicago, IL 60639
Competition Format and Registration Information
The 4-v-4 tournament is open to players of all ages, abilities and affiliations. Team rosters can consist of up to seven players (four field players and three substitutes) and each team will play in round-robin action, with the possibility of advancing to the single-elimination championship playoff.
Teams registered for the competition will be divided according to age groups and competitive levels with winners in each division receiving prizes. In addition to participating, each registered player will receive a ticket to an MLS match (in applicable markets), and the chance to win prizes from the sponsors. There will be $3,000 in cash prizes ($2,000 for first place and $1,000 for second place) for adult premier.
More information on the competitions and events in both English and Spanish can be found on the official web site for Futbolito: www.MLSFutbolito.com. Teams can register for competitions, obtain all rules and regulations and learn about the competition dates and locations. Additionally, interested participants with questions can call toll-free at +1-888-MLS-FUTBOLITO. The entrance fee is $150 per team for those competing in the Adult Premier Division and $120 per team for all other participants.
