NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESS Newswire / February 17, 2026 / During AEG's fourth annual Coachella Valley Invitational, the LA Galaxy reaffirmed its commitment to education, inclusion, and community empowerment by engaging more than 50 students from the Coachella Valley Unified School District's Migrant Program in a multi-day experience focused on inspiration, access, and opportunity through soccer. As part of the initiative, LA Galaxy players Edwin Cerrillo and Mauricio Cuevas shared their personal journeys from youth soccer to the professional game, speaking candidly about perseverance, discipline, and overcoming barriers to achieve long-term goals.
Hosted by the LA Galaxy Foundation, the initiative reflects the club's broader mission to use sport as a platform for positive social impact-connecting young people to professional athletes, real-world career pathways, and role models who reflect their own lived experiences.
The program began on Saturday, February 7, when students attended a preseason training session at the Empire Polo Grounds, gaining behind-the-scenes insight into how professional athletes train and prepare for competition, followed by a meet-and-greet and autograph session with players.
The experience continued on Wednesday, February 11, when students attended the LA Galaxy's match against St. Louis City SC and participated in a post-match conversation with Cerrillo and Cuevas. During the discussion, players answered student questions and offered firsthand advice, drawing from their own backgrounds and family experiences to highlight the importance of representation and resilience.
"Soccer is a global language, and these experiences show students that their stories and ambitions matter," said Gabriel Osollo, Director of Community Relations for the LA Galaxy and the LA Galaxy Foundation. "By creating access and meaningful connections, we aim to inspire confidence and reinforce that opportunity exists far beyond the boundaries students may see today."
In support of continued academic achievement and enrichment, the LA Galaxy Foundation presented the Coachella Valley Unified School District's Migrant Program with a $5,000 contribution to advance educational resources and student support initiatives.
The program serves students from families engaged in seasonal and agricultural work throughout the region, with a focus on academic continuity, graduation readiness, and long-term success. Through partnerships like this, AEG and the LA Galaxy demonstrate how sport can drive inclusive growth, strengthen communities, and create pathways to opportunity on a global scale.
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View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:
https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/travel/la-galaxy-engages-students-through-multi-day-community-experience-at-coachella-valley-invita-1138056
