For Matthew Torres, soccer has been more than just a pastime — it’s been a constant presence in his life since the age of three.
Growing up in Boyle Heights and navigating life with a learning disability, Torres never imagined the sport could lead to something bigger. Still, he dedicated himself to practicing and honing his skills on soccer fields around the neighborhood.
Everything changed for the senior at Felicitas and Gonzalo Mendez High School when he was recruited to join the LA Galaxy Special Olympics Unified Team, a unique soccer program that brings together athletes with and without intellectual disabilities to train and compete nationally.
At 18, Torres is taking the field as left wing for the team’s 2025 season.
“A lot of people are different, but that doesn’t mean we don’t deserve the same things,” Torres said. “I’m excited for the season and I’m going to do my best. It’s a dream come true.”
Unified Sports, part of a broader Special Olympics initiative, aims to promote social inclusion through shared sports training, competition experiences and sportsmanship.
LA Galaxy Unified athletes, ages 16 to 25, receive elite-level support similar to professional players – including personalized nutrition coaching, team gear and access to training resources – thanks to a partnership between the team and the company Herbalife, which also sponsors the Major League team. As part of the program, Torres and his fellow team members attend weekly training sessions and play in scrimmages to prepare for competitive matches against other Unified Teams.
Gabriel Osollo, director of community relations and foundation at LA Galaxy, says the program is “using soccer as a vehicle for positive change, dispelling stereotypes about those who are different.”
“We’re making sure everyone has a safe place to play regardless of ability, ethnicity or gender,” said Osollo. “We’re giving everyone the opportunity to play the beautiful game of soccer, and our athletes tell us it’s changed their lives for the better, that they’ve found a home here.”
That sense of belonging is what Torres values most. It’s also given him something to look forward to – on and off the field. Landing a spot on the team influenced his decision to apply to Los Angeles Trade Technical College, where he will pursue a certification in welding this fall while continuing to play soccer on the side.
“This program has taught me that I’m a good kid and I deserve to live a good life,” said Torres. “At the end of the day, we’re all human beings,” he added.
That philosophy is part of what kept Cristian Ortiz dedicated to the program for over a decade now. A coach for the LA Galaxy United since its launch in 2014, Ortiz has helped push the sport of soccer to be more inclusive and unified.
Programs like this one, Ortiz says, are crucial, not just to provide professional experiences, but also to promote social inclusion and personal development for those who often don’t get much support outside of the classroom.
“This program is special to me because I’ve seen the impact,” he said. “I’ve seen the faces of my athletes light up on the field, and I’ve seen how it benefits them even after they’re done.”
Ortiz says many alumni return to volunteer and support the next generation of youth taking to soccer stadium fields across the country. Like Torres, several go on to pursue a higher education while playing on the side, or simply stay connected to the team as supporters.
Today, Torres is more confident than ever. His team kicked off its 2025 season last week with a 3-0 win over crosstown rivals LAFC. As the team’s left wing, he can’t wait to make his neighborhood of Boyle Heights proud out on the field.
