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LA Galaxy full field access for AYSO Region 71

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Contributed by: Pam Vetter on 9/21/2008

It was an incredible opening to the Saturday night Los Angeles Galaxy game against D.C. United as youth soccer players were welcomed onto the field with full access at the Home Depot Center.

American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) Woodland Hills Region 71 youth soccer players were part of the action as kids participated in the Galaxy Parade of Champions, Hi-Five Line and Dream Team.

During the Parade of Champions, hundreds of players and parents paraded across the field in front of thousands of Galaxy fans. Other youth soccer players participated in the Galaxy Hi-Five Line, as they greeted players when they exited the tunnel and entered the field.

An elite group of 22 youth soccer players had a special opportunity to participate in the Galaxy Dream Team during the opening ceremonies, as they walked onto the field next to the starting players.

AYSO Region 71 youth soccer player Ryan Iwata was part of the elite Dream Team and he loved the experience.

"It was fun! Very fun! And, it was exciting to walk out with lots of Galaxy players," Iwata said as he was grinning from ear to ear. "I walked out onto the field with player number six on the Galaxy."

That player turned out to be player No. 6, Eddie Lewis.

Tim Allwardt, a referee for AYSO Region 71, was thrilled that his daughter, Corrine, received an opportunity to walk onto the field with a Galaxy player.

"I think it was really cool," Allwardt said. "The kids really enjoyed it. It's important that the kids come out and see a professional Galaxy game and I'm glad the Galaxy players actually take the time to have the kids walk out with them. That they make the effort to do that with the kids is amazing."

Former Regional Commissioner and current Coach Reza Shahmirzadi walked down on the field with Region 71.

"It was awesome. We went out there on the field and seeing the look in our soccer players' eyes when they shake the players hands, it's an experience they're never ever going to forget. It's going to make them more interested in soccer and want to continue to go and watch the games," Shahmirzadi explained. "This was the fifth year for our region to participate in the Los Angeles Galaxy program. We done it for five years and it's grown. Last year we had 1,000 of our youth soccer players attend and I'm hoping we can have 1,400 or 1,500 of our youth soccer players attend in the future. It's a nice experience for the kids."

Regional Commissioner Monique Franklin was pleased with Region 71's participation.

"It's good for our league and it's good for major league soccer. MLS is a sport that is trying to grow and establish some roots in this country. Soccer is the most played sport in every country in the world except for the United States. They're trying to build the fan base which is going to build from youth soccer because their parents didn't grow up with this sport. These are grassroots programs that build relationships," Franklin said.

"The kids come out and play, they do a Galaxy clinic, they meet the players, the kids become fans, and they have access. Two weeks after the clinic, they come to the game and get to see the same players on the field, who they met in person," she added. "Through this program, they get to parade across the field or take part in the Hi-Five Line or be a part of the Dream Team and walk the players onto the field. We've got a couple of kids who are their water boys during the game, filling up their water cups, so that was a perk. Those are the kids who are going to want to come back to another game. It's a win-win for everyone. When you get down here and you're in the atmosphere, it's really great and fun for everyone."

The Los Angeles Galaxy game was also a hit with the crowd as the Galaxy beat D.C. United with a score of 5-2. After the game, crowd draw Galaxy player David Beckham took off his game jersey and gave it to a group of young fans sitting on the field level. Quite a gift to remember!

For more information about AYSO Woodland Hills Region 71, visit

www.region71.org.

For more information about an AYSO league in your area, visit

www.soccer.org.

For more information about the Los Angeles Galaxy, visit

http://web.mlsnet.com/t106/

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