—by Matthew Lindley
If Sunday just can’t come soon enough for you, I have good news. There is a match on Saturday afternoon.
No, you won’t see Diego Chara, there won’t be tifo, and there is no conference title on the line. But to the players on the pitch, this might as well be the MLS Cup final.
Saturday at 5:30pm at Lincoln High School, Special Olympics of Oregon teams up with the Timbers Army for the 2nd annual SOOR Unified Match. Two teams comprised of half TA and half Special Olympics Athletes face off in an exhibition.
Just seeing the faces last year of these athletes as they received their complimentary jerseys for the match, met their new “teammates” (the TA) and marched out in front of their gathered family friends and coaches, I knew this was one of the single greatest things I’d ever be honored to be a part of. I don’t remember the names of my teammates that day, but I’ll never forget the smiles.
