The New York Cosmos announced on Thursday the details for their Heroes Night, which will be held this Saturday September 14 at Shuart Stadium, as the team takes time to remember first responders from the FDNY and NYPD; as well as military personnel before and during the match against the Minnesota United.
The New York Cosmos will get to celebrate their commitment to the community by honoring local heroes on Saturday Photo by: Stacy Podelski
Prior to kickoff members of the FDNY and NYPD soccer teams will lead a special youth clinic on the Shuart Stadium Field. This clinic is open to children ages 5 and up from first responders’ and military families and will run from 4-5:45 p.m.
At 6 p.m. the USO Show Troupe will kick-off their trio of performances that evening, starting at New York Cosmos Fanfest. The troupe will also sing the National Anthem before kickoff and the Military Salute at halftime.
After both teams finish their pre-game warm-ups, the Cosmos will honor the NYPD and FDNY soccer teams, as well as family members and honorees from the Sergio Villanueva Endowed Soccer Scholarship Fund. The Cosmos will also honor 96-year-old Harold Dinzes, a World War II and Korean War veteran, who was also an original Cosmos supporter and season ticket holder. Dinzes will make the ceremonial coin toss with the captains of each team.
Throughout the match from 5:30 p.m. onwards, the USO of Metropolitan New York will be on-site collecting donations in the form of ‘Messages for Troops.’ For $1 fans can write notes to say thank you or show support to those troops around the world that the USO has a chance to visit too.
The Cosmos encourage all fans to support all local active duty, reserve and veteran military personal and their families by bringing them to the game through ‘Tickets for Troops.’ Fans can purchase tickets for these family members-$1000 provides 100 tickets to military personnel; $250 provides 25 tickets and $100 provides 10 tickets. For those interested in purchasing these tickets can do so by calling 855-71-COSMOS and requesting ‘Tickets for Troops.’
About the Sergio Villanueva Endowed Soccer Scholarship Fund
Police Detective Jonathan Kanovsky and the FDNY Soccer Team have collaborated to celebrate the life and memory of Sergio through creation of the Sergio G. Villanueva Memorial Scholarship endowment at Hofstra University. This scholarship assists a deserving Hofstra University student-athlete in pursuing a college education. Recipients demonstrate the work ethic, integrity discipline and courage that exemplified Sergio’s life.
About the USO
The USO lifts the spirits of America’s troops and their families millions of times each year at hundreds of places worldwide. We provide a touch of home through centers at airports and military bases in the U.S. and abroad, top quality entertainment and innovative programs and services. We also provide critical support to those who need us most, including forward-deployed troops, military families, wounded warriors and their families and the families of the fallen. The USO is a private, non-profit organization, not a government agency. Our programs and services are made possible by the American people, support of our corporate partners, and the dedication of our volunteers and staff. To join us in this patriotic mission, and to learn more about the USO, please visit www.usonyc.org.