Major League Soccer (MLS) Partners with The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation

New York, NY (May 18, 2009) – The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation, an organization focused on kids helping kids fight cancer has announced a partnership with MLS W.O.R.K.S., Major League Soccer’s community outreach initiative. Major League Soccer will help bring national awareness to the B+ Foundation in its efforts to raise money and awareness for pediatric cancer research and in its mission to assist families of critically ill children across the country.
“It was Andrew’s dream to play in our League and we will honor that dream by supporting the B+ Foundation and joining in the fight against pediatric cancers,” said JoAnn Neale, Executive Vice President of Major League Soccer. “Providing hope for other families in desperate times of need and engaging children to help critically ill children is inspiring and we are glad to be a part of that.”
Joe McDonough, President of The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation and Andrew’s Dad, is proud of the endorsement. “Andrew played four soccer games on a Saturday, and just 48 hours later he was in cardiac arrest with a diagnosis of leukemia. He was an elite soccer player for most of his 14 years, and dreamed of playing in MLS. So we’re grateful to MLS for joining us in the fight to find cures for pediatric cancers.”
“Andrew always said he’d make it to MLS. So, in a way, he has.”

About Major League Soccer
Headquartered in New York City, Major League Soccer is the top-flight professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. MLS features many stars from the U.S., Canada, and around the world. MLS kicked off its 14th season on March 19, and will feature 15 teams each playing 30 regular season matches. They include Chicago Fire, Colorado Rapids, Chivas USA, Columbus Crew, D.C. United, FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, Kansas City Wizards, Los Angeles Galaxy, New York Red Bulls, New England Revolution, Real Salt Lake, San Jose Earthquakes, Toronto FC and, in its inaugural season, Seattle Sounders FC. A Philadelphia expansion team will debut in 2010, while expansion teams in Vancouver and Portland will debut in 2011. For more information about MLS, log on to the League's official website at www.MLSnet.com.

About MLS W.O.R.K.S.
MLS W.O.R.K.S. was launched in April 2007 and is Major League Soccer's community outreach initiative dedicated to addressing important social issues affecting young people. MLS W.O.R.K.S. serves as a platform for both league and team philanthropic programs. Specific areas of focus include health and wellness, education, respect, fair play, leadership, human rights and diversity with an emphasis on programs and initiatives directed at school-aged children. MLS W.O.R.K.S. seeks to establish Major League Soccer as a leader in America for improving the lives of people through sport. For more information about MLS W.O.R.K.S., please visit www.MLSnet.com/works.

About The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation
The B+ Foundation honors the life of 14-year-old Andrew McDonough who battled leukemia and sepsis and passed away on July 14, 2007. Throughout Andrew’s illness, he inspired thousands of supporters. His B+ blood type became the perfect message – Be Positive – to reflect how Andrew lived his life and how he inspired others to do the same. Andrew’s legacy is one of love, kindness, faith, and enduring spirit. The B+ Foundation is about kids helping kids fight cancer -- by providing financial and emotional support to families of critically ill children, and by providing pediatric cancer research grants. For more information, please visit www.BePositive.org.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Sean Dennison, Major League Soccer, +1-212-450-1223;sean.dennison@mlsnet.com

Joe McDonough, The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation, +1-302-563-8389; joe@livelikeandrew.org

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