Houston Dynamo Football Cub today announced its initiatives and matchday activations to recognize Major League Soccer’s 10th annual “Kick Childhood Cancer” (KCC) campaign to raise awareness and funds for pediatric cancer research and treatment in partnership with MLS WORKS and Continental Tire. The campaign began at the start of September and runs through the entire month.
The Dynamo will host their Kick Childhood Cancer match on Saturday, Sept. 16 when St. Louis CITY SC comes to town. This is the first visit to Houston for the expansion side and both teams are currently in a playoff position. Three of the next four league games for the Dynamo will be against opponents currently above the playoff line in the Western Conference.
Through collaboration with The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Nolan, a 10-year-old cancer survivor will join the Dynamo as an “honorary captain.” The 10-year-old will participate in all pre-game activities on Saturday, giving him a feel for what gameday is like as a professional. Nolan moved to Houston in 2018 to treat a large Desmoid tumor. He has been stable and off treatment following surgery in 2021.
Nolan joined the first team earlier this month to sign his contract with Dynamo general manager, Pat Onstad, and tour the facility with goalkeeper Steve Clark.
Additionally, 21 MD Anderson patients and their siblings will join Nolan and the teams as honorary team members as they walk out to take the field for the match at Shell Energy Stadium.
Festivities to raise awareness of pediatric cancer began earlier this month when the Club, in partnership with Ronald McDonald House, visited the Holcombe location on Sept. 7 to host a dinner, as well as fun soccer and arts & crafts activities for the patients and their families.
Separately, the Club and Make-A-Wish Foundation identified a patient to design a superhero cape that will be distributed at the stadium’s gates before the KCC match on Sept. 16. In-game activations include headshots of Dynamo players drawn by patients currently enrolled in the Heroes for Children program.
Highlighted by the internationally recognized gold color for childhood cancer, all MLS Kick Childhood Cancer matches will feature:
- A commemorative edition adidas 2023 MLS WORKS Kick Childhood Cancer Official Match Ball will be used in match play
- 2023 Kick Childhood Cancer adidas pre-match tops will be worn by players during pregame and warmups on game day as well as on the bench, sidelines and during training and in community outreach efforts
- Gold corner flags, goal nets, and captain’s armbands
- Gold ribbon jersey patches
- PRO referees will sport wristbands featuring a Kick Childhood Cancer ribbon
In celebration of the 10-year milestone, MLS and Continental Tire will donate more than $100,000 to Children’s Oncology Group (COG). Fans are encouraged to support by donating $10 in honor of the 10 years MLS has been in the fight against childhood cancer. For every $10 donation, fans will receive a chance to win a trip to 2024 MLS All-Star Week in Columbus, Ohio.
MLS and Continental Tire will also host an online auction from Nov. 20 through Dec. 3 that will feature game-used, autographed jerseys from the KCC matches.
Fans can purchase Marvel-inspired 2023 MLS Kick Childhood Cancer adidas Pre-Match Tops on MLSstore.com. MLS will donate all wholesale royalties from the KCC adidas Pre-Match Tops to COG through Dec. 31, 2023.
