August 5th, 2011
Contact: press@streetsoccerusa.org / 415-729-9286
MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER STAR SPEAKS UP FOR THE HOMELESS: CHRIS WONDOLOWSKI SIGNS ON AS NATIONAL AMBASSADOR FOR STREET SOCCER USA (SSUSA)
San Francisco, CA- The MLS Golden Boot winner for most goals in 2010, Chris Wondolowski read an article in the San Fran Chronicle about a homeless soccer program. A few weeks later, thanks to the diligence of The Soccer Silicon Valley Community Foundation, Chris has accepted an official role with Street Soccer USA, an organization that transfers life and jobs skills to the homeless in 20 cities across the United States. To date 75% of participants connect to jobs, housing, or further education within a year of play.
As a National Ambassador for SSUSA, Chris serves as a lead spokesman for SSUSA's efforts to rehabilitate the homeless, Chris will take a special interest in his hometown team, Street Soccer USA- Bay Area, though he will also visit as many sites nationally as possible. He has also pledged a $50 donation for each goal that he scores during the remainder of the 2011 MLS campaign. Fans can join Chris’s goals campaign by visiting www.streetsoccerusa.org/wondochallenge and making a pledge of their own. The Earthquakes organization has pledged to match.
Chris says, “I could not be more excited about this opportunity to work with the Cann brothers and the entire SSUSA organization. With the help of the Earthquakes and Soccer Silicon Valley we hope to make a significant contribution to SSUSA. I realize every day how lucky I am in every facet of my life - I am blessed to be able to play professional soccer and the fact that I can play here in my hometown area is beyond incredible. My wife, Lindsey, and I are fully committed to this remarkable group. I think I speak for my coaching staff and teammates when I say that we hope that my $50 per goal pledge will end up being several hundred dollars this year."
Street Soccer USA Bay Area Director, Rob Cann added, “Chris converts a lot of half chances into goals on the soccer field. His efforts with street soccer have already inspired our players to convert their chances and to achieve their goals in life."
Chris's announcement comes on the eve of Street Soccer USA's participation in the 64-nation Homeless World Cup in Paris, France August 21-29. SSUSA hopes the announcement will inspire the public to help them raise the final money so that its top achieving participants can represent the United States. Support can be given online at www.streetsoccerusa.org/get_involved/donate
About Chris:
Chris Wondolowski is a native of Danville, CA and had a standout soccer career at Chico State University. He was drafted 41st overall in the 2005 MLS Supplemental Draft by the San Jose Earthquakes. Although he made only two MLS appearances for San Jose in 2005, he led the Earthquakes reserve team in scoring with eight goals in 12 games. Chris became part of the Houston Dynamo when the franchise was moved out of San Jose. At Houston he scored his first MLS goal and was then traded back to San Jose when the franchise was reinstated in 2009. Wondolowski had a break-out season in 2010 in which he led MLS in scoring with 18 goals in 26 matches, leading
San Jose into the MLS Playoffs. He also scored his first playoff goal with the series winning goal against New York in their playoff game, propelling San Jose to a 3-2 aggregate win.
Chris was named to the Major League Soccer "Best XI" for the 2010 season. He was also played this past month in the MLS All Star Game.
International
Following his successful stint with the Earthquakes during the 2010 season which included winning the 2010 MLS Golden Boot. Wondolowski was called up to Winter Training Camp with the US National Team. At the conclusion of the three week camp, his first cap with the national team came in a January 22, 2011 friendly against Chile. On May 23, 2011, Wondolowski was named to the USA roster for the 2011 Gold Cup competition.?
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chris-Wondolowski
Twitter: @ChrisWondo
Earthquakes Profile: http://www.sjearthquakes.com/player/chris-wondolowski
About SSUSA:
Street Soccer USA (SSUSA) ( www.streetsoccerusa.org ) is sport for development program of HELP USA, which believes ending homelessness is a team sport. Through a systematic approach, SSUSA Builds community and trust through sport with participants and volunteers, transforming the context within which they live from one of isolation, abuse, and marginalization, to one of community, purpose, and achievement, requires participants to set 3, 6, and 12-month life goals, and empowers participants by providing access to services and educational/employment opportunities through our Jobs Academy. The Lady Salamander women's initiative has formed women's only teams at shelters across the U.S. as well.
Street Soccer USA Cup:
Programs train twice weekly, go out in the community to compete in local leagues with volunteers, and unite annually at the biggest sport for social change event in the United States, the 18-city Street Soccer USA Cup. Select program ambassadors, male and female, represent SSUSA in various amateur tournaments, including the Homeless World Cup, each year.
