This month, LAFC continued to use the power of sport to bring communities together through service, education, wellness, and celebration. From supporting wildfire recovery efforts in Pacific Palisades and Pasadena to uplifting educators, fostering conversations around mental health, and creating inclusive opportunities for athletes of all abilities, each initiative reflected the club’s ongoing commitment to the Los Angeles community.
In partnership with Zelle, LAFC welcomed Palisades High School JV and Varsity boys’ and girls’ soccer student-athletes back to their home field for the first time since the 2025 Pacific Palisades fires. The celebration brought together players, coaches, families, and community members to honor the resilience of the Pali High community and mark an important milestone in the school’s recovery journey. The event featured remarks from LAFC 2 players, LAFC staff, and Pali coaching staff, as well as equipment donations for both soccer programs and a celebratory scrimmage/practice to officially welcome athletes back home.
- Unified Away Trip To Nashville
- To officially kick off the 2026 LAFC Unified season, the team traveled to compete against Nashville SC following the first-team match at Geodis Park. During the weekend, the team had the opportunity to bond with the Nashville Unified team, participate in the first-team walk on match day, and watch LAFC take on Nashville prior to the Unified match. The team came away victorious thanks to goals from Zion Jung and Preston Yado, helping to cap off a successful trip.
- Check out the full video recap HERE.
- Monthly Futsal Practice
- As part of the Unified team’s training schedule, the team hosts monthly futsal sessions with the goal of developing technical skills and team chemistry.
- Unified Team Dinner
- To end the month, and celebrate a successful match in Nashville, the team came together for a celebratory team dinner. During the event, the team officially announced the LAFC Unified members who will be traveling to Charlotte for the MLS All-Star Game. Manuel Zambrano, Penelope Yado, and Associate Head Coach Carlos Yado will represent the Black and Gold during the week of activations and matches.
In partnership with University of Phoenix, LAFC welcomed the 2026 Los Angeles Unified School District Teacher of the Year honorees to BMO Stadium during the club’s match against Houston Dynamo FC in celebration of Teacher Appreciation Month. The educators took part in special matchday moments, including carrying the crest before kickoff and being recognized on the field at halftime. Each teacher also received a customized LAFC jersey and a Teacher Appreciation gift bag with LAFC-branded school supplies. LAFC is proud to celebrate the educators who inspire and support students across Los Angeles every day.
Zippy Paws Dog Adoption Event
In partnership with Zippy Paws, LAFC hosted Healthcare for Homeless Animals whose mission is to ensure that every animal in the Center has access to necessary medical treatment, rehabilitation, supportive care, and the chance to find a loving forever home. In doing so, our players were greeted by dogs upon arrival to the stadium.
In partnership with Movember and Bresee Foundation, LAFC hosted a mental health roundtable conversation for the young men of the Youth Leadership Program focused on the importance of open dialogue, support, and emotional well-being. The discussion brought together LAFC2 players, Bresee Foundation staff, and LAFC male employees to share personal experiences and encourage meaningful conversations around mental health. Through honest dialogue and mentorship, the event created a supportive space for participants to reflect on the importance of vulnerability, community, and prioritizing mental wellness both on and off the field.
In partnership with Feed the Children and DoorDash, LAFC joined volunteers and students from Pasadena Rosebud Academy to assemble 144 backpacks filled with school supplies, hygiene items, Melissa’s Produce Clean Snax, and meal kits for youth impacted by the 2025 Eaton Canyon fires. LAFC players Ryan Raposo and Ryan Porteous participated alongside volunteers to hand out resources and engage with the students and faculty. The event brought the community together through service and highlighted the importance of providing essential resources and encouragement to youth during recovery efforts.
LAFC’s last home match before World Cup break had multiple touchpoints to celebrate the community.
- Career Development Tour with Open Your Doors: LAFC hosted 25 foster youth to gain insight into the many jobs and opportunities within soccer and sports at large in partnership with Open Your Doors, a group of caring individuals that came together to engage the entertainment industry in efforts to positively impact children in the foster care system in California. The students had the opportunity to tour the stadium and meet with a variety of departments, including Match Presentation, Broadcast, Photo/Video, and even our Falconer, Jason, to learn about the many ways to get involved in the world of sports. Following the match, they joined Ryan Hollingshead for a meet & greet on the field followed by fieldside seats to watch post-match fireworks.
- Halftime Tunnel Celebration with Rainbow Labs: In celebration of Pride Month, students from Rainbow Labs joined us for a halftime tunnel recognition moment. Rainbow Labs is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to create a bold, joyful space where Queer and Gender Nonconforming youth (ages 12–18) in Los Angeles can be themselves, find community, and explore who they want to become.
- Halftime Celebration with Pride Republic and Jordan Harvey: Jordan Harvey and his family joined Pride Republic, LAFC’s LGBTQ+ supporter group for a halftime photo and celebration.
- LAFC Power Soccer Meet & Greet and Jersey Distribution. We were also joined by the LAFC Power Soccer team at the match, where players received their custom uniforms for the season, generously gifted by BMO. The United States Power Soccer Association (USPSA) is the governing body for power soccer, the first competitive team sport for power wheelchair users. Power soccer empowers athletes with diverse disabilities, such as quadriplegia, muscular dystrophy, arthrogryposis, and cerebral palsy, to compete independently at all skill levels. Following the match, they had the opportunity to meet Aaron Long and Nkosi Tafari for an on-field recognition moment.
LAFC x BMO x Zelle Small Business Spotlight Program
LAFC is excited to announce the second year of the Small Business Spotlight, organized in partnership with BMO and Zelle. This program honors local small businesses in Altadena and the Palisades that were either impacted by the wildfires or played a vital role in recovery efforts. These businesses, which embody the resilience and spirit of Los Angeles, will receive on-field recognition during a home match in the 2026 season. We invite you to nominate a deserving business for the 2026 LAFC, BMO, and Zelle Small Business Spotlight Program using this form.
