Unified teams from Minnetonka, Orono, Wayzata, and Watertown-Mayer participated in the tournament — now in its second year — which encourages inclusion and acceptance by unifying athletes with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team.
MNUFC has worked with Special Olympics MN to form a "Minnesota United Unified Team," which replicates the professional sports team experience for the high school age athletes.
The Minnesota United Unified team participates in tryouts, a signing day, practices and clinics with MNUFC players and academy staff, and even travels with the first team to another market.
Athletes at the tournament today were also surprised with tickets to a Minnesota United FC match for participating in the day's activities.
Minnesota United broadcasters Kyndra de St. Aubin, Callum Williams, and Jamie Watson were joined by team mascot PK Loon for a visit to Special Olympics' Unified Soccer Tournament at the West St. Paul Sports Dome on Friday. They greeted athletes and participated in warm-up activities before hosting the event’s opening ceremonies.
