August 1, 2020 was a very special day for a few lucky San Diego youth soccer players – these fortunate boys and girls were able to be a part of the pre-game activities at the LA Galaxy vs Chicago Fire at the Home Depot Center in Los Angeles.  

It was fantastic to see San Diego’s young soccer players marching through the player’s tunnel and onto the field. More than 50 kids lined up on the field to High Five Landon Donovan, Edson Buddle and the other LA Galaxy and Chicago Fire Players as they emerged from the tunnel. Another 20 young soccer players were part of the “Dream Team”, a smaller group of fortunate kids who actually got to walk onto the field holding hands with the pros and stand with them as the national anthem was sung and the fireworks went off.  

All the kids were thrilled to connect with the legendary soccer pros and members of the U.S. National World Cup soccer team on a “real” field in a nearly packed stadium.

The San Diego families were enthralled to see Buddle and Gonzales and the LA Galaxy team play Chicago Fire. With a total of 5 goals scored during the match, it was an exciting game. Unfortunately, 3 of the goals were for Chicago Fire, so this was the first time all season that the LA Galaxy lost at the Home Depot Center – but regardless, watching a professional soccer game is a fabulous family event – and being able to do it with your soccer team and/or soccer club is very special and memorable.   Connecting with a professional – whether by watching from the stands or walking hand in hand, ignites new passion for soccer and great enthusiasm.

Watching LA Galaxy lose the game was probably good for our kids. Winning is hard work and requires effort but not grace. Loosing for the first time during a home game, well, it was not what any of the Galaxy players expected or wanted and they handled it with great grace and sportsmanship. Donovan in particular was a great example of sportsmanship by clapping the fans and congratulating the Fire on winning the hard fought game.

Hundreds of players, families and coaches drove up for this special event, with many parents commenting that it really was not that far…   The soccer players were mostly from San Diego SURF soccer Club along with a boys team from Albion Soccer Club and one girls team from Carlsbad Lightning.

My son, Michael Scavuzzo,  thought I spent entirely too much time trying to coordinate this event… but his face as he walks out with Landon Donovan says it all. My son had inspired this event when he saw all the pre-game fun at a LA Galaxy match last year and turned to me and asked, “How can I walk out with David Beckham?” Of course Beckham was not playing but my child would have been thrilled to walk out with any pro player. Being with Donovan just before he scored his 100^th MLS goal was “awesome”, he said.   Caelen Murray, a Surf BU9 White player who also was on the Dream Team described the experience as “AWESOME, it just really was awesome”.   During the LA Galaxy autograph session, Mike McGee said he remembers his first time being on the field as awesome.   Being on the field with the professional soccer players in front of tens of thousands of people is, I guess, at any age, awesome!

Carey Schumacher, a very talented photographer and Albion soccer mom, came with me into the player’s tunnel to help with the Dream Team. She said “Waiting in the tunnel under the stadium before the game was so exciting!  We loved feeling the excitement and the anticipation that the pros feel when they walk out of the tunnel and onto the field with the crowd cheering!" 

According to the other parents, it was a perfect day and their kids all had the best day ever, as well all created some great soccer memories which will last a lifetime. In case you are interested in attending an LA Galaxy game as a team or with your club, you can contact Dan Cerwinske at 310-630-2221 at the Galaxy or your representative to find out how to make this happen for your group!