April 26, 2022 – Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release
NEW YORK – In their continued collaborative efforts to elevate the game of soccer in the U.S. and Canada, Audi and Major League Soccer today revealed the substantial financial commitments made by the Audi Goals Drive Progress initiative since its inception in 2019 and announced the distribution plans for funds from the program during the 2022 season. Audi and MLS also unveiled details on the return of the documentary series produced with Bleacher Report, THE ACADEMY, which will focus this season on players developing in the San Jose Earthquakes’ youth academy.
Originally launched in 2019, the Audi Goals Drive Progress initiative provides funding to further enhance the experience of young players on and off the field at MLS academies, which play an essential role in developing talented players in the U.S. and Canada. Since the program kicked off in August of 2019 at the All-Star Game, Audi has contributed more than $3 million to directly support MLS club academies.
The impact of this funding has been extraordinary. In just the last two years, 29 MLS Academy players who benefitted from the program have been signed to First team, and Homegrown pro contracts. In addition,130 players have benefitted from increased housing options near MLS Academies, and more than 1,600 players are utilizing expanded education resources including tutoring and improved education infrastructure known as Audi Performance Centers.
This season, the winner of the Audi Golden Boot – awarded to the player who leads MLS in goals – will earn a $25,000 contribution from Audi to his MLS team’s academy. Audi Goals Drive Progress will contribute $500 for every goal scored during the 2022 MLS regular season, $2,000 for every goal scored during the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, $5,000 for every goal scored in the MLS All-Star Game, and $10,000 for every goal scored in MLS Cup. The Audi Goals Drive Progress initiative will contribute up to $1 million…
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