14th Annual DC SCORES Cup raises $140,000 for DC kids

Written by Jake Lloyd
Communications Manager

During a rare break from the soccer Saturday, 32 teams of adults sporting different-colored T-shirts came together for a photograph. Perhaps only then, as everyone congregated in between fields 5 and 6 for a photo, could one realize just how BIG the 14th Annual DC SCORES Cup was.

The tournament at the Maryland SoccerPlex featured 32 teams and 500 participants. Games were played continuously on eight fields from 9am-2:30pm, followed by the playoffs. And the event concluded with high drama, as District Sports outlasted Zuckerman Spaeder LLP on eight penalty kicks for the competitive division title. Just a few minutes earlier, Enlightenment Capital capped off its first SCORES Cup by winning the casual division.

Most importantly, employees bonded during a long day of soccer together -- with important half-hour breaks for lying in the shade mixed in! -- and also learned more about DC SCORES. When Executive Director Bethany Rubin Henderson announced that the tournament raised a record $140,000 for DC kids, everyone broke out in applause.

Big thanks to all the companies that participated -- including Zuckerman, Marriott and Hogan Lovells US LLP, who have played in all 14 SCORES Cups -- as well as the tournament sponsors: Subway, which donated lunch for all participants; Whole Foods, which provided much-needed snacks for the DrinkMore Water, which continues to support DC SCORES' large events by donating huge jugs of water; and D.C. United, which provided many ticket giveaways leading up to June 25 and tickets for all participants to the August 27 game at RFK Stadium.

morning;

Additionally, a big thanks to the Maryland SoccerPlex, which has hosted the Cup for seven years now, and to all the volunteers who helped the day run smoothly from 6am until after 4pm.

RESULTS
Competitive division: Group play; playoffs.
Casual division: Group play; playoffs.

PICTURES
View our Flickr album.

2015 DC SCORES Cup a great success!

SCORES Cup photos

Casual Bracket Results

Competitive Bracket Results

When all the SCORES Cup teams gathered on the sliver of turf in between fields 5 and 6 Saturday afternoon, one could have confused them for DC SCORES teams. 

There stood members of 32 teams, each group of 15-plus participants wearing a different colored customized T-shirt with their company's logo emblazoned on the back. It was no easy task fitting everyone in the picture; neither was winning the SCORES Cup.

At the end of a cloudy-turned-sunny day at the Maryland SoccerPlex -- which hosted the event for the sixth consecutive year -- Marriott International in the competitive division and Capital for Children in the casual division emerged victorious, but there were no losers on this Saturday.

Just by entering a team and playing in the DC area's largest charity soccer tournament, the 500-plus participants assisted in raising more than $120,000 for DC SCORES -- an amount that equals a full year of programming at five schools in the District.

That's an incredible impact. 

Not only did participants play at least five -- and up to seven -- games on the SoccerPlex's pristine fields, they also learned about the cause during a short break in the action. DC SCORES alumnus Christian get everyone engaged and pumped up with a "DC" "SCORES" call-and-respond chant, and Executive Director Bethany Rubin Henderson gave an overview of the impact those supporting the cause were making. 

After a stirring testimonial from longtime volunteer and coach Simon Landau, board member and Sport and Spine Rehab doctor Barton Bishop wrapped up the presentation by letting everyone know how to get involved.

One way was by entering a raffle at the tournament, which included awesome prize packages including tickets to sit in the owner's box at a D.C. United game and a VIP pass for on-field and locker room access at a game. We owe a huge thanks to D.C. United, which came out to the SoccerPlex and brought along the always-popular-with-any-crowd Talon the mascot.

The day also wouldn't have been possible without aforementioned Sport and Spine Rehab; Whole Foods Market P Street, which donated hundreds of apples, bananas, granola bars and refreshing lemonade; DrinkMore Water, which provided 40 jugs of hydration; Geppetto Catering, which supplied the healthy lunch wraps needed to fuel up for the final games; and a group of hardy and dedicated volunteers.

Thanks so much to everyone who helped make the 13th DC SCORES Cup the best yet; bookmark your calendar for June 2016 and the 14th edition!