D.C. United launched the United in Play: Giving the Gift of Soccer Program on Aug. 12, 2026, giving fans a way to nominate local schools, teams and community organizations for soccer equipment. The initiative from D.C. United and the D.C. United Foundation aims to expand access to the sport and provide more young people with resources to play.
The program builds on D.C. United’s Soccer & Soar programming, which focuses on helping young people develop critical life skills on and off the pitch. Based on fan nominations, D.C. United will select local schools, teams and groups each month to receive United in Play soccer kits.
How D.C. United’s United in Play Program Works
Eligible schools and community organizations must be located within 20-30 miles of Audi Field and show a need for equipment. Fans can submit nominations for local schools, teams and community organizations through the program’s nomination form.
A United in Play kit may include soccer balls, pop-up goals, pinnies, cones, shin guards, sports bras and other D.C. United-branded items. Talon, D.C. United’s mascot, will deliver the kits each month with a current D.C. United player or legend, subject to availability.
Fans can also purchase and donate soccer balls for inclusion in the kits. Each donation gives a young person the opportunity to attend a D.C. United match, connecting equipment support with access to the club’s home games at Audi Field in Washington, D.C.
D.C. United Foundation Focuses on Equitable Access
The D.C. United Foundation prioritizes communities that lack equitable access to important resources and education. The foundation uses soccer to reach underserved communities in the D.C. area and provide young people with tools to develop on and off the pitch.
Shanell Mosley, D.C. United’s senior director of Community Impact and executive director of the D.C. United Foundation, said the initiative addresses one of the barriers to participating in soccer while building on momentum from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“United in Play brings our belief that soccer is for everyone to life – removing one of the biggest barriers to the game by putting equipment directly in the hands of schools and community groups,” said Shanell Mosley, Senior Director, Community Impact & Executive Director of D.C. United Foundation. “Launching this initiative in the wake of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is intentional – we’re building on that momentum to unite our community through soccer and open doors for young people across the DMV.”
More information about D.C. United’s community work is available through the D.C. United Foundation. Details about Soccer & Soar are available on D.C. United’s official website.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
United in Play gives D.C. United supporters a direct way to help address equipment needs among youth soccer organizations near Audi Field. The monthly selection model creates a recurring connection between fan nominations, community groups and the club.
The match-ticket component adds another element by pairing donated soccer balls with an opportunity for a young person to attend a D.C. United game. With the program tied to Soccer & Soar and the D.C. United Foundation’s access-focused mission, the initiative centers on equipment and participation.
Source: Original report
