Community News

Passback Program providing soccer equipment for local kids in need

IMAGE: Community Passback

Through a partnership with the U.S. Soccer Foundationā€™s Passback Program, D.C. United has hosted a soccer equipment drive at each D.C. United home match this season to collect new and gently-used soccer gear. The initiative, which kicked off at the start of the 2015 season, seeks to provide youth players in underserved communities with the proper equipment they need to play and enjoy the game.

With the help of D.C. United fans and the community, the Passback program collected over 150 new and gently used soccer equipment items that were donated to Leveling the Playing Field. Through the collections, over 20 pairs of cleats, 100 t-shirts, over 60 jerseys, and other various items such as shin guards and socks were distributed to the organization.  In addition, D.C. United will be donating over 350 t-shirts to Guerilla Aid, an organization that works to provide soccer programming to refugee children in Syria. 

Havenā€™t had a chance to donate your soccer equipment yet? D.C. United are collecting items for the Passback Program at their final three home matches of the season, starting with the match against Columbus Crew SC on Saturday, Sept. 19. D.C. United will have a collection bin located outside the D.C. United Team Store at RFK Stadium, where fans and game attendees are encouraged to drop off their soccer equipment. Fans who donate equipment will receive a coupon valid for a 5 percent discount at the D.C. United Team Store. Fans can also drop off equipment at RFK Stadium on weekdays during normal business hours.

Since 2002, the U.S. Soccer Foundationā€™s Passback Program has collected and redistributed over 900,000 pieces of soccer equipment to children within the community.

To learn more about the Passback Program, please visit: dcunited.com/community.