SUMMER SOCCER EVENT TO BE BEST YET, DA SAYS

Boston-area businesses and local pro soccer teams have ratcheted up their support for Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley’s Soccer for Peace tournament this year, setting the stage for the annual event’s biggest success ever as young players descend on Pope John Paul II Park tomorrow.

The tournament’s marquee supporters are the New England Revolution soccer team, which is providing 100 kids and teens with tickets for them and their families to attend their Sept. 4 home game against the Seattle Sounders, and Citizens Bank, which is donating 125 backpacks filled with school supplies to young Soccer for Peace players.

“It’s plain as day that these businesses take pride in their roles as community stakeholders,” Conley said. “Even in a stormy economy, the Revolution and Citizens Bank have made these tournaments possible through their generosity and commitment to Boston’s young people.”

Pre-game registration begins at 12:30, with Conley expected to deliver brief welcoming remarks at 2:00. Former New England Revolution captain Shalrie Joseph, a longtime Soccer for Peace supporter, will also address the crowd, as will Noreen McMahon, vice president and director of public affairs for Citizen’s Bank. Young players will have a chance to get autographs from and pictures with the DA and Joseph if they wish.

The games will begin at 2:30 and conclude at about 4:15. A trophy ceremony will be held at their conclusion, with Boston Breakers midfielder/forward Kristine Lilly – a two-time World Cup and Olympic champion – naming one Good Sportsmanship Award winner from each team. Conley will present the trophies.

“Soccer is one of the truly great unifiers around the world,” New England Revolution Chief Operating Officer Brian Bilello said. “We applaud the work that that the District Attorney’s office has done to bring the community together as they help make a different in Boston’s neighborhoods. We’re proud to be a part of Soccer for Peace.”

“At Citizens Bank, we are committed to supporting the communities where we live and work,” said Steve Woods, president of Citizens Bank. “We are delighted to once again partner with the District Attorney’s Office to help local children return to school with the tools they need to prepare them for a year of learning.”

Also helping to sponsor this year’s games are America Scores New England, which is sending five volunteers to provide a one-hour soccer clinic to young players; Stop & Shop, which provided $500 worth of food and drinks; Wal-Mart and Best Buy, which provided raffle prizes in the form of iPods and gift cards; and many others.

Lending assistance and joining the fun will be staff from St. Peter’s Teen Center, the Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation, the Bird Street Community Center, the Dorchester Youth Collaborative, and other community and non-profit partner agencies.

Each summer since 2003, Conley has welcomed Suffolk County residents to Dorchester’s Pope John Paul II Park, where kids, teens, and adults break off into teams and play one another in the world’s most popular sport. Conley’s office hosts the event as a way to build harmony, community, and leadership skills for young people while playing host to a fun, end-of-summer activity.