When Union Omaha and their General Manager Peter Marlette began discussions with Special Olympics Nebraska about the possibility of creating a Unified Soccer team, this week’s announcement that Los Buhos’ squad would face Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC’s Unified team at the USL Summer Showcase presented by Hisense was the dream scenario.

“The goal was always to expand the concept to other USL markets and get our athletes as many matches in big stadiums in front of big crowds as possible,” Union Omaha General Manager Peter Marlette said. “These matches with Colorado Springs are the next step in this process. It was exciting to speak with Colorado Springs about this series earlier in the year. Neither of us realized it originally, but Colorado Springs was building a Unified team and simultaneously working towards the same goal we were.

“While we can't wait to host them at Werner Park, the opportunity to showcase Unified teams to the entire USL ecosystem on August 9th at Weidner Field during the USL Summer Showcase is an incredible opportunity for Union Omaha and our Unified athletes.”

On Thursday, in conjunction with Special Olympics Nebraska and Special Olympics Colorado, the USL Championship and USL League One clubs announced the continuation of their Unified Soccer Series, which will enter its third year in 2023. The series kicked off last Saturday night following the conclusion of Omaha’s League One clash against the Richmond Kickers as Omaha took a 4-0 victory to cap the night at Werner Park.

The Unified Soccer Series is the first of its kind within the USL, featuring Special Olympics Unified teams from both states.

On August 9, the teams will meet again at Weidner Field following the USL Summer Showcase presented by Hisense between the Switchbacks and USL Championship rival FC Tulsa, putting the spotlight on the game in front of more than 200 executives from the USL’s professional and pre-professional clubs as they visit Colorado Springs for the annual USL Mid-Season Meetings.

The Special Olympics Unified Sports program focuses on promoting social inclusion through shared sports training and competition experiences and joins people with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team. Teams are currently being established through each state’s Special Olympics program, with the Switchbacks having seen strong growth in the program since it began two years ago.

“It's very exciting to see how far the Switchbacks FC Unified Program has come along, since its inception in 2021,” said Switchbacks Business Development Manager Jon Taylor. “The match-up between both clubs is the next step in our progress to make Unified Soccer a staple for the USL. … This Unified Team is the true meaning of inclusion.”

The hope for both clubs – and the Special Olympics groups they work with in their respective home states – is that more clubs across the USL ecosystem will begin their own programs, offering a chance for more Unified teams to be created and expanded competitive opportunities within the league to come to fruition.

“We are very excited to continue the Unified Soccer Series with Special Olympics Colorado and the Switchbacks FC,” Special Olympics Nebraska Vice President of Program Nate Parks said.  “We share the same ideals and goals and can’t wait to showcase each Unified team’s talented athletes. This is the start of something bigger, and we couldn’t be more appreciative of this great opportunity for our athletes to compete on a stage like this with such passionate fan bases.”

“While our athletes have a competitive spirit they also love making and building friendships,” added Special Olympics Colorado Southeast Regional Manager Kyle Kemper. “This game is a chance for competition, fun, and friendship.”