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Health & Fitness

Baltimore Students Get a Kick Out of Free Clinic

The children participated in scrimmages and drills as part of the D.C. United Community Soccer Series.

I always say that giving back to your native community is what makes a city great. This week, Baltimore native Santino Quaranta, who grew up in Highlandtown and is now a star on Major League Soccer's D.C. United, came home to spend some time with about 150 Baltimore youth. I brought together six players from D.C. United, along with Baltimore city children ages 6 to 13 and the Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks for a soccer clinic and autograph session in Du Burns Arena on Tuesday, Sept. 6 .

The children participated in scrimmages and drills as part of the D.C. United Community Soccer Series. Professional players as well as stars from the men's and women's soccer teams at Loyola University Maryland and Notre Dame of Maryland University led the children in activities to refine their soccer and teamwork skills and allow them to interact in a positive environment.

The soccer clinic was the latest event in my P.L.A.Y. (Productive Lives, Active Youth) campaign, which aims to keep children involved in constructive programs and allow them to grow mentally, socially and emotionally. 

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I was very excited to partner with members from D.C. United and our local universities to provide Baltimore’s youth with an opportunity to strengthen their teamwork, patience and perseverance – three qualities that will serve them well into adulthood.

D.C. United stars who participated included Brandon Barklage, Joseph Ngwenya, Perry Kitchen, Clyde Simms, Brandon McDonald and Quaranta.

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For Quaranta, who grew up playing soccer in Baltimore, and attended Archbishop Curley High School, the clinic was a chance to come home and give back to the community that raised him.

"I am excited to bring the Community Soccer Series to Patterson Park in Baltimore because this is the same place I learned the basic soccer skills that made me the player I am today," Quaranta said. "I enjoyed showing the kids in attendance that they can achieve their goals, whatever they may be, coming from the same community as I did."

Quaranta was the youngest player ever to be drafted into MLS when he joined the league as a 16-year-old in 2001. He has also played on both the Under-17 and Under-20 United States national soccer teams.

The players wore the team’s red jerseys, sales of which benefit Red Card Cancer, a program supporting the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center.

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