Soccer Day kicked off in New York City with the ribbon-cutting of the new New York City Soccer Initiative mini-soccer pitch at Hostos Lincoln Academy of Science in the Bronx.
Representatives from NYCFC, the Mayor's Office, Etihad Airways, adidas, and the U.S. Soccer Foundation were all present on Monday morning to welcome the new wave of safe spaces to play for underserved communities across the Five Boroughs.
Here are the best of the speeches ahead of the ribbon-cutting...
Darren Bloch - Vice Chair, Mayor's Fund to Advance NYC
Today is the launch of Soccer Day here in New York City, a five-borough celebration of this sport which brings so many people together in a city of immigrants and a city that is looking to create healthier outcomes and energize communities.