Relationship will support BSA’s athletic, leadership, and character-driven program

IRVING, Texas, and NEW YORK (January 12, 2012)—Today, at the 2012 MLS SuperDraft in Kansas City, Major League Soccer (MLS), the top-flight professional soccer league in the United States and Canada, and MLS W.O.R.K.S., MLS’ community outreach initiative, announced a alliance with the Boy Scouts of America, providing avenues for the league to support the BSA’s youth-focused program of athleticism, character, and leadership. Beginning with the 2012 MLS season, which starts on March 10, Scouts across the nation in MLS markets will receive special programming and connection opportunities at MLS games.

Major League Soccer, which was founded in 1996, features 19 clubs in the United States and Canada, each playing 34 regular-season matches.

Through the BSA’s focus on healthy living initiative SCOUTStrong, Scouts participating in MLS markets will be provided access to MLS players, coaches, league and club executives, and unique programming tailored to the Scouts. Future plans include an opportunity for Scouts to conduct community service projects and be selected for in-game ceremonies at MLS stadiums, for “Scout Nights” that support local councils in the recruiting and retention of Scouts, and for local MLS players and executives to partake in formal discussions with Scouts on topics such as fitness and leadership.

At today’s MLS SuperDraft, Scouts from the Heart of America Council in Kansas City will deliver the official adidas MLS PRIME match ball to the stage to kick off the event. The ball will be autographed by the 2012 first-round draft picks and will be auctioned off to benefit the Kansas City council. Visit www.MLSsoccer.com/mlsworks to bid on this and other MLS memorabilia.

About Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America prepares young people for life by providing the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training. The Scouting organization is composed of 2.7 million youth members between the ages of 7 and 21, and more than a million volunteers, in nearly 300 local councils throughout the United States and its territories. For more information on the Boy Scouts of America, please visit www.scouting.org.

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. Major League Soccer’s 17th season will feature 19 clubs each playing 34 regular-season matches. Those clubs include the Chicago Fire; Chivas USA; Colorado Rapids; Columbus Crew; D.C. United; FC Dallas; Houston Dynamo; 2011 MLS Cup champion LA Galaxy; New York Red Bulls; New England Revolution; Philadelphia Union; Portland Timbers; Real Salt Lake; San Jose Earthquakes; Seattle Sounders FC; Sporting Kansas City; Toronto FC; Vancouver Whitecaps FC; and, in their inaugural season, Montreal Impact. For more information about MLS, log on to the league’s official website at www.MLSsoccer.com .