The D.C. United Special Olympics DC (SODC) and Columbus Crew SC Special Olympics Ohio (SOOH) Unified Soccer teams kicked off their 2016 season Saturday evening at MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, where the visitors earned a 5-1 victory.
Special Olympics DC got on the board early when Douglas Medrano found himself unmarked in front of the net for the team's first goal. Minutes later, SODC's Rickie Green scored to put the visiting team up 2-0 going into halftime.
Special Olympics Ohio pulled one back early in the second half with a goal by Olivia Dulay, but the comeback was short-lived. Minutes later, SODC's Dennis Mendizibal played a perfect pass to Green, who calmly put away his second goal of the match.
Special Olympics Ohio standout goalkeeper Martin Henderson kept Crew SC in the match but was no match for SODC's fierce attack, which included late second-half goals by Kevin Guzman and Jonathan Ulloa to seal the result.
The D.C. United Special Olympics DC team next face the New York Red Bulls Special Olympics New Jersey Unified team at RFK Stadium in conjunction with the United Red Bulls MLS matchup on Sunday, August 21.
The Special Olympics Unified Sports soccer exchange program is an on-going partnership between MLS WORKS, D.C. United and Special Olympics D.C. that brings individuals with and without intellectual disabilities together as teammates to participate in unique training, competition and social experiences.
Box Score
D.C. United SOC 5 (1-0) Columbus Crew SC SOOH 1 (0-1)
Saturday, July 16, 2016
MAPFRE Stadium - Columbus, Ohio
2016 Special Olympics Unified Team Season
Scoring Summary
<strong>Minute</strong> |
<strong>Team</strong> |
<strong>Goalscorer</strong> |
7' |
SODC |
Douglas Medrano |
13' |
SODC |
Rickie Green |
22' |
SOOH |
Olivia Dulay |
25' |
SODC |
Rickie Green |
28' |
SODC |
Kevin Guzman |
30' |
SODC |
Jonathan Ulloa |
