WASHINGTON – D.C. United and Wells Fargo are proud to announce a sponsorship agreement that will combine the best of both the soccer team’s and the national financial service company’s commitments to the community and to improving children’s lives through soccer.
The collaboration is highlighted by Saves for United Soccer Club, a program that will turn the standout performances of Black-and-Red goalkeepers into benefits for the United Soccer Club program operated by the D.C. United Foundation.
“We are thrilled to team up with Wells Fargo,” said D.C. United Chief Revenue Officer Mike Schoenbrun. “This is a fantastic collaboration that engages the club, our players, fans and the community. Thanks to Wells Fargo, the hundreds of children that participate in the United Soccer Club, the D.C. United Foundation’s signature program, will benefit from additional resources and an improved experience.”
Beginning with the Black-and-Red’s upcoming match vs. Philadelphia on July 26 through the remainder of the 2015 season, Wells Fargo will donate $100 to United Soccer Club for every save made by a D.C. United goalkeeper. The number of saves are tracked live on dcunited.com, with updated totals announced on the team’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts after each match. Wells Fargo will announce the final donation amount during a presentation at D.C. United’s final regular season home match on October 18 vs. the Chicago Fire.
The proceeds from Saves for United Soccer Club will help fund equipment, transportation, food and drink costs. United Soccer Club enrolled close to 500 children in the program in the spring of 2015, teaching participants the importance of a healthy lifestyle through physical activity and proper nutrition, as well as life skills that are beneficial on and off the field. United Soccer Club employs the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s Soccer for Success curriculum. The program operates at 14 sites in and around Washington, D.C.
“Wells Fargo is committed to improving lives and strengthening communities,” said Mike Golden, Wells Fargo President in Greater Washington, D.C. “Saves for United Soccer Club is an example of that commitment. This program will help children learn important life skills and create a healthy lifestyle. Wells Fargo is excited to join our customers, team members and D.C. United supporters as we cheer the Black-and-Red’s pursuit of a fifth MLS Cup.”
As the official bank of Major League Soccer and presenting sponsor for the league’s annual MLS WORKS Community MVP Contest, Wells Fargo’s new sponsorship of D.C. United, its second MLS team deal, continues the company’s focus on developing relationships with soccer fans across the country.
D.C. United boasts a pair of the top goalkeepers in Major League Soccer. In his sixth full season, Bill Hamid has an 8-4-4 record and leads Major League Soccer in saves percentage (.819) and goals against average (0.75) among qualified goalkeepers. He is tied for fifth in shutouts (6) and is eighth in saves (59). The 24-year-old from Annandale, Va., was the club’s first signing from the D.C. United Academy, and in 2014 he was named MLS Goalkeeper of the Year. Andrew Dykstra has a 2-3-1 record, 29 saves and is fifth in MLS in saves percentage (.763).
About Soccer for Success
Soccer for Success is the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s free afterschool program that uses soccer as a tool to address children’s health issues and juvenile delinquency, while promoting healthy lifestyles in urban underserved communities.
About the D.C. United Foundation
The D.C. United Foundation is committed to bringing the international power of soccer directly into D.C. area inner-city communities through signature programs like the United Soccer Club. With the help of local and national corporate partners, D.C. United fans, governmental agencies, and other fundraising efforts, the D.C. United Foundation is committed to continuing to reach over thousands of children each year and has contributed over $1 million to the charitable needs of the nation’s capital.
About Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a nationwide, diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.7 trillion in assets. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through 8,700 locations, 12,800 ATMs, the internet (wellsfargo.com) and mobile banking, and has offices in 36 countries to support customers who conduct business in the global economy. With approximately 266,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in the United States. Wells Fargo & Company was ranked No. 30 on Fortune’s 2015 rankings of America’s largest corporations. Wells Fargo’s vision is to satisfy our customers’ financial needs and help them succeed financially. Wells Fargo perspectives are also available at Wells Fargo Blogs and Wells Fargo Stories.
