Major League Soccer
gets a 'Kick Out of Reading'

Major League Soccer (MLS) and the National Education Association (NEA) launched a new literacy program that taps into the excitement of professional soccer and the star power of many of the League's top players to give reading a major kick. "Get a Kick Out of Reading/¡Lee y Marca un Golazo!" is a comprehensive, multicultural League-wide literacy program that aims to raise awareness about the critical importance of reading to children and their families, including the growing number of youth that are new to America and have limited English skills.

"Reading is a fundamental skill not only for professional success but for personal fulfillment as well," MLS Commissioner Don Garber said. "MLS is proud to involve all of our 10 teams and many of our top players in this important mission headed by the NEA, ensuring that every child and every family in our nation fully understands the vital importance of developing proficient reading skills."

MLS players who will serve as official spokespersons for this program are: Carlos Bocanegra (Chicago Fire); Luchi Gonzalez and Diego Walsh (Columbus Crew); Oscar Pareja and Ryan Suarez (Dallas Burn); Marco Etcheverry and Earnie Stewart (D.C. United); Josh Wolff and Diego Gutierrez (Kansas City Wizards); Alex Pineda Chacon and Sasha Victorine (Los Angeles Galaxy); Jaime Moreno and Steve Jolley (MetroStars); Joe-Max Moore (New England Revolution); Scott Garlick (Colorado Rapids); and Landon Donovan and Manny Lagos (San Jose Earthquakes).

"As the son of a teacher who read to her kids every night while we were growing up, my mom always emphasized that it was just as important to exercise your mind as much as your body, and nothing does that better than reading a good book," said San Jose Earthquakes forward Landon Donovan. "I'm really happy to be part of a great program like this. Reading allows you to go to places that not even your passport can take you." Landon's favorite book growing up was "For Sale; One Sister, Cheap" by Rachel McBride.

"Reading has always been one of my favorite activities," said MetroStars forward Jaime Moreno. "When I was a kid, my grandmother used to read to me constantly. My favorite book as a child was 'The Adventures of Tarzan.' Books were fun then and are still fun now."

The timing of the announcement coincides with the NEA's Read Across America day, an annual reading motivation and awareness program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading on or around Dr. Seuss' March 2 birthday. While celebrations and Seussian activities abound on Read Across America day, NEA's Read Across America also provides year-round reading resources for teachers, parents and other caregivers.

The key components of the "Get a Kick Out of Reading/¡Lee y Marca un Golazo!" program are:

• MLS READING CHALLENGE. The summer reading competition provides an incentive to children (K-6) to achieve specified reading thresholds in order to earn "Readers Shield" certificates and/or other prizes from local MLS teams and/or local sponsors. The competition will be conducted over a six-week period beginning in May and concluding in June. Children must read (or be read to) 90 minutes a week, for pleasure, not for homework or for other incentive programs. Children who meet the challenge return their completed score sheets to participating schools, libraries, sponsors or other locally designated locations to collect "Readers Shields." Local providers will receive bilingual materials (posters, folders, score sheets, complimentary subscription to Soccer Jr. Magazine) in May.
  
  
• MLS READING CHALLENGE TEAM DAY. The day-long event, hosted by local MLS clubs, provides the opportunity for personal interaction between MLS players and children who completed a reading challenge formulated by the club and attend a designated MLS match. The specific activities will be determined by the local MLS team and sponsors.
  
  
• CREATION OF LOCAL READING COALITIONS. MLS will work with local NEA affiliates in all 10 MLS markets to create powerful reading coalitions that will work together to construct meaningful literacy initiatives for each market. Local affiliates of the following national organizations will lend their support: National Council of La Raza, National Association for Bilingual Education, National Urban League, League of United Latin American Citizens, ASPIRA and the American Library Association.
  
  
• ONGOING BILINGUAL PSAs. MLS players will participate in public service announcements (TV, Radio and Print) championing reading as a vital professional and life skill.
  

About Major League Soccer

Major League Soccer features the top American players in the U.S. and many international stars. The league's ten teams are the Chicago Fire, Colorado Rapids, Columbus Crew, Dallas Burn, D.C. United, Kansas City Wizards, Los Angeles Galaxy, MetroStars, New England Revolution and San Jose Earthquakes.