St. Louis CITY SC has announced the launch of CITY Unified, the club’s first official Special Olympics team, marking a significant milestone in its commitment to making soccer more inclusive and accessible throughout the St. Louis region.

Created in partnership with Special Olympics Missouri, CITY Unified brings together athletes with and without intellectual disabilities to compete on the same team through the Special Olympics Unified Sports program. The initiative is designed to promote inclusion, teamwork, leadership, and lasting friendships while celebrating a shared passion for soccer.

Expanding the Game Beyond the Pitch

The introduction of CITY Unified reflects the club’s ongoing mission to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to experience the game, regardless of ability.

Through Unified Sports, athletes compete together in an environment built on respect, collaboration, and community. The program has become a global model for breaking down barriers while creating meaningful relationships through sports.

“Our Unified team is another way we’re able to bring St. Louisans of all different backgrounds and abilities together around the beautiful game,” said Ken Earley, Director of Community Relations for St. Louis CITY SC.

The announcement reinforces CITY SC’s growing investment in community initiatives that use soccer as a vehicle for connection and opportunity.

Signing Day Welcomes Inaugural Team

Earlier this summer, players celebrated the beginning of a new chapter during a Signing Day event at Energizer Park.

Sporting Director Corey Wray and Head Coach Yoann Damet officially welcomed the inaugural roster of 17 athletes.

The inaugural CITY Unified team includes:

  • Matthew Appelbaum
  • Vincent Humure
  • Lilian Gerbic
  • Cody Behnen
  • Landon Swanson
  • Morris John Cubahiro
  • Gerard Mauro
  • Lauren Munn
  • Lyla Bieser
  • Patrick Halveland
  • Evan Lennox
  • Drew Priefer
  • Jasmine Willis
  • Jordan Catching
  • Max Brown
  • Alyssa Rios
  • Tyler Purk

The celebration marked the beginning of what the organization hopes will become a lasting tradition of inclusive competition and community engagement.

Players Headed to MLS All-Star Week

Two members of the inaugural roster will receive the opportunity to represent CITY Unified on a national stage.

Lyla Bieser and Lilian Gerbic have been selected to participate in the 2026 Special Olympics Unified Sports MLS All-Star Game, presented by MLS WORKS and ESPN during MLS All-Star Week in Charlotte.

Their participation highlights not only their accomplishments but also the growing impact of Unified Sports throughout Major League Soccer.

First Match Set Against Sporting Kansas City

CITY Unified will officially take the field for the first time on Thursday, July 16, when the team faces Sporting Kansas City’s Unified team as part of the clubs’ Red Hot Rivalry festivities.

The match is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. (subject to change) at the Washington University Orthopedics High Performance Center, located adjacent to Energizer Park.

The event represents more than a soccer match—it celebrates inclusion, community, and the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to compete, belong, and succeed.

A Win for Inclusion in St. Louis

The launch of CITY Unified demonstrates how professional sports organizations can create meaningful opportunities beyond competition.

By embracing the principles of Unified Sports, St. Louis CITY SC is helping build a more inclusive soccer community where athletes of all abilities can thrive together. As the inaugural team prepares to take the field, CITY Unified represents not only a new chapter for the club but also an inspiring example of how sports can unite communities and create lasting impact.

For St. Louis, it’s another reminder that the beautiful game is at its best when everyone has a place to play.

Learn more St. Louis City SC

Photo Credit: St. Louis City SC

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