SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Last Saturday night, the San Jose Earthquakes’ Special Olympics Unified Team opened their 2024 season on the road against their counterparts at Sacramento Republic FC. In a rematch of last year’s close 3-1 battle, this time the Black and Blue emerged victorious at Heart Health Park, 7-0.
The game provided players of all ability levels – both typical and special-needs athletes – the opportunity to be a part of a team and play together. Special Olympics Unified Soccer empowers athletes and allows them to compete while displaying good sportsmanship, spreading positivity and encouraging inclusion.
Quakes Unified started strong with an early goal from forward Ahn Quan Nguyen. Moments later in the first half, the striker doubled his account, finishing a pass from midfielder Leo Janson inside the box. Quakes newcomer Kaylee Breiner would soon join in on the action by recovering the ball after some effective pressure of Sacramento’s back line, subsequently slotting the ball into the bottom corner to make it 3-0. While the Republic would have their moments in attack as well, they were unlucky in front of net. San Jose would add one more goal before intermission to take a commanding 4-0 lead.
Nguyen continued his fine form in the second half, tallying two more goals to bring his total to an astounding four in the match. To close out a memorable game, in his final appearance for the Black and Blue, midfielder Austin Guerra capitalized on a pinpoint through ball from teammate David Cornelio to find the back of the net. After the final whistle, both sides met in the middle of the pitch in solidarity to celebrate an amazing night defending their respective club crests while demonstrating that once again, the beautiful game is for everyone to experience and enjoy.
Quakes Unified head coach Greg Bodzioch reflected on the win while crediting the Republic for giving his team the chance to compete on the field. “It’s been fantastic being able to get our Quakes Unified Team to come out here to Sacramento the second year in a row,” he said. “I just think this is such a great opportunity for the community to learn about what we’re doing and see the team camaraderie between the Quakes and the Republic.
“It’s a great opportunity to have an inclusive team with partner players and athletes from Special Olympics playing together. It was really cool having some of our players and some players from Sacramento from last year recognize each other, bonding and building those friendships.”
The Quakes Unified side now shifts their attention to their next contest against fellow Major League Soccer-affiliated side, Chicago Fire Unified. The Unified home match will immediately follow the San Jose Earthquakes vs. Chicago Fire MLS game, which kicks off at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 7, at PayPal Park.
Quakes Unified: Kaylee Breiner, Chris Combs, Dashiell Meier, Austin Guerra, Joshua Guerra, Natan Leibovitch, Esteban Mercado, Ahn Quan Nguyen, Justin Pats, Rob Siegel, David Cornelio, Louie Galdamez, Elechi Iroaga, Leo Janson, Amiri Khetrapal, Jackson McBride, Shankhin Vijay, Brooke Young, Bryce Young.
