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NEW YORK (Monday, May 3, 2010) – One of the nation’s most successful grassroots soccer initiatives returns to fields across America this summer, as thousands of soccer players of all ages and from all walks of life will lace up their cleats to participate in the eighth edition of MLS Futbolito, Major League Soccer’s official 4-v-4 tournament. The 13-event national tour, presented by Panasonic, kicks off in Miami on Sunday, May 23 in celebration of this World Cup summer.

MLS Futbolito, the largest touring Hispanic event hosted by a U.S. professional sports league, is a series of all-day events targeting the League’s growing multicultural fan base and hosted by the local MLS team. 

“MLS Futbolito represents a bridge that connects the soccer community around the country to our League and our clubs,” said David Wright, Major League Soccer's Vice President of Partnership Marketing. “Entering its eighth year, MLS Futbolito has become a well-known and highly anticipated event where soccer is celebrated by the entire family.”

Approximately 50,000 people, including participants ages 6 to 55 and spectators, attended MLS Futbolito 2009 across 13 markets from coast to coast. Highlights included the event in Foxborough, MA, held in conjunction with the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium that took place on the same day as the Revolution’s SuperLiga match against Santos Laguna. This event included a record-breaking 208 teams, making it one of the most successful MLS Futbolito events in its history. Each participant was able to play in at least one match on the grounds of Gillette Stadium, making it an unforgettable experience for participants and their families. In 2010, Futbolito will once again take place at Gillette Stadium on July 10.

Univision, a league broadcast partner, and their popular sports show, “Republica Deportiva”, Univision’s sports lifestyle program on Spanish-language television in the U.S., will broadcast its fourth consecutive live annual show from the Miami MLS Futbolito event to officially kick off the 2010 grassroots series.

Soccer legends and TV personalities who have assisted and participated in MLS Futbolito in the past include former World Cup legends Marco Etcheverry, Teofilo Cubillas, George Weah, Carlos Valderrama, Mauricio Cienfuegos and Noticiero Univision’s lead anchor Jorge Ramos.

MLS Futbolito will continue to work with the League’s community outreach initiative, MLS W.O.R.K.S., in supporting their initiatives such as Active Bodies Active Minds, a soccer-centered initiative that provides reading and fitness resources to motivate and reward children for being mentally and physically fit. 

In addition to MLS Futbolito presenting sponsor Panasonic, associate level partners include Adidas, Degree Deodorant, Fox Sports en Español, Glidden Paints, Makita, NAPA Auto Parts, Pepsi, The Home Depot, Visa, Volkswagen and Xbox 360.

For further information about MLS Futbolito, visit the event’s official site: www.MLSFutbolito.com .

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