Major League Soccer\u2019s 9th Annual Greener Goals Week of Service reinforces the league’s commitment to raise awareness for environmental issues in our local communities.<\/p>\n
\n Environmental initiatives<\/p>\n
MLS is focused on implementing initiatives that address key environmental issues, including:\u00a0<\/p>\n
Food waste diversion: MLS clubs are actively tackling stadium food waste
by recovering surplus food and distributing it to local communities in need.
These efforts at MLS venues will collectively divert more than 175 tons of
food to local food donation programs, which is equivalent to approximately
74 MT of CO2e emissions and comparable to approximately 271 one-way
flights per passenger from Los Angeles to New York City
\nEmissions monitoring: MLS will continue to collect data associated with
greenhouse gas emissions and overall environmental impacts with select
venues as part of its Sustainability Dashboard program. The Dashboard
provides MLS venues with the opportunity to benchmark environmental
performances and explore opportunities to reduce emissions associated
with game-day operations.<\/p>\n
\n Service projects<\/p>\n
Stakeholders from around the League will volunteer their time by conducting\u00a0environmentally friendly service projects in partnership with local non-profits.<\/p>\n
Check out how MLS clubs, players and staff seek to make an impact on behalf\u00a0of Earth Day.<\/p>\n
Atlanta United<\/a> supporter groups, collectively known as the Gulch, hosted an Atlanta Beltline Clean Up in honor of Earth Day on Saturday, April 18, ahead of the club\u2019s match vs. Nashville SC<\/a> later that evening.<\/p>\n The group collected litter at two sites along the Westside corridor to enhance the area’s natural beauty.<\/p>\n Austin FC<\/a> continue their year-round commitment to sustainability through waste diversion efforts at Q2 Stadium, which recently became the first and only soccer-specific stadium in the world to earn Total Resource Use and Efficiency (TRUE) Platinum certification.<\/p>\n Staff recently took\u00a0part in a \u201cDay in the Dirt\u201d volunteer event alongside The Trail Conservancy to\u00a0beautify and maintain part of the trail around Austin\u2019s Lady Bird Lake.\u00a0<\/p>\n The club is set to host Evergreen Night presented by YETI at its home match on April 25.<\/p>\n On Earth Day, nearly 100 Chicago Fire FC<\/a> front office staff members will volunteer their time at\u00a0Navarro Farm, a non-profit located in Frankfurt, Illinois, that creates a space for individuals with special needs to participate in an agricultural experience.<\/p>\n Front office staff members will weatherproof infrastructure, weed gardens, refurbish parts of the property, and more throughout the day.<\/p>\n FC Cincinnati<\/a>, in partnership with Sleep in Heavenly Peace, constructed 50 bed\u00a0frames to support children in the West End community sleeping without beds.<\/p>\n Using sustainably sourced wood and minimizing material waste during construction, the initiative reflects a commitment to environmental responsibility.<\/p>\n Through efforts like these, FC Cincinnati are dedicated to improving\u00a0the lives of children by helping them get off floors and into beds to improve their physical, emotional, and mental health.<\/p>\n In celebration of Greener Goals Week of Service, the Colorado Rapids<\/a> are\u00a0partnering with Denver Parks & Recreation to support its mission to make\u00a0beautiful, healthy spaces where residents can thrive.<\/p>\n On April 22, front office staff and players will celebrate Earth Day, participating in beautification projects at Parkfield Lake Park.<\/p>\n Participants will work together on native area management,\u00a0weeding beds, weed whacking, clearing gutters, and trash pick-up.<\/p>\n As part of Greener Goals Week of Service, the Columbus Crew<\/a> are partnering\u00a0with Rumpke to host a community cleanup at Linden-McKinley STEM Academy.<\/p>\n Selected for achieving the most improved attendance from all Columbus City\u00a0Schools high schools, Linden-McKinley reflects the impact of the Crew\u2019s Stay in\u00a0the Game! Attendance Network \u2014 an initiative dedicated to reducing chronic\u00a0absenteeism across Central Ohio.<\/p>\n Students demonstrating strong attendance will\u00a0work alongside Crew players, staff and Rumpke staff to support neighborhood\u00a0cleanup efforts, followed by a school-wide pep rally featuring celebrating their\u00a0commitment to showing up for both their community and their future.<\/p>\n In honor of MLS\u2019s Greener Goals Week of Service, FC Dallas<\/a> are teaming up with The Seed Project Foundation (SPF), an organization that funds educational, agricultural, and community initiatives focused on sustainability.<\/p>\n Founded on the belief that investing in sustainable ideas today builds a more balanced future, SPF supports programs that create lasting ecological and social impact.\u00a0<\/p>\n As part of the\u00a0initiative, FC Dallas staff will volunteer at McKinney Roots, SPF\u2019s donation farm that provides fresh, locally grown produce to food-insecure individuals by\u00a0distributing to nonprofits, churches, and schools across Collin County.<\/p>\n Through United We Serve, D.C. United<\/a> are joining forces with Living Classrooms DC to strengthen one of the District’s most treasured natural spaces.<\/p>\n Volunteers will plant 562 native species, install protective trail barriers, and add new seating to advance the long-term restoration of Kingman and Heritage Islands.<\/p>\n The LA Galaxy<\/a> Foundation has teamed up with Heal the Bay for a beach cleanup in Santa Monica, bringing together volunteers from the club\u2019s Season Ticket\u00a0Member community, the LA Galaxy Unified Special Olympics Team, front office\u00a0staff, and partners for a day of service along the shoreline.<\/p>\n For the LA Galaxy, protecting the pitch also goes well beyond matchday. Through the club\u2019s \u201cProtect the Pitch\u201d recycling initiative at Dignity Health Sports Park, the organization collects bottles, cans, cups, cardboard, paper, and more to reduce environmental impact year-round.<\/p>\n Proceeds from recycled beverage containers, generated by\u00a0California Redemption Value (CRV) refunds, are reinvested directly into local\u00a0communities, helping fund soccer equipment donations and free youth clinics in\u00a0Carson, Torrance, and surrounding areas.<\/p>\n By supporting initiatives like these, the\u00a0LA Galaxy continue to give back, grow the game, and create meaningful\u00a0opportunities for the next generation of players.<\/p>\n As part of MLS Greener Goals Week, LAFC<\/a> employees will volunteer with\u00a0nonprofit partner TreePeople to support more sustainable, climate-resilient\u00a0communities in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n This year\u2019s effort will center around tree planting as\u00a0the primary activity, with LAFC staff helping to expand the urban tree canopy in\u00a0Downtown Los Angeles, just steps outside our home turf at BMO Stadium, along\u00a0with hands-on efforts like removing invasive species and restoring local habitats\u00a0to improve community green spaces.<\/p>\n The partnership will also be highlighted\u00a0during LAFC\u2019s Earth Day home match against Colorado, recognizing TreePeople\u2019s\u00a0impact and ongoing role in environmental education and stewardship.<\/p>\n Minnesota United<\/a> are partnering with the Minnesota Department of Natural\u00a0Resources\u2019 Minnesota Loon Restoration Project to help preserve and protect the\u00a0natural habitat of Minnesota\u2019s state bird.<\/p>\n Since 2024, support from the Minnesota\u00a0United license plate program has provided funding for the Loon Restoration\u00a0Project, supporting its efforts in habitat preservation, nesting platform\u00a0placement, community engagement, and loon monitoring across the state.<\/p>\n As part of MLS Greener Goals Week of Service, the club will launch educational content and host a fan activation on April 25, highlighting ways Minnesotans can help protect lakes, rivers, and loon habitats.<\/p>\n Building on the momentum created last year, CF Montr\u00e9al<\/a> are once again joining forces\u00a0with Ville en Vert for Greener Goals Week of Service.<\/p>\n On May 20, club members\u00a0will get their hands dirty at the Potager Louvain, with the goal of planting more\u00a0than 700 plants that will directly benefit the local community.<\/p>\n Nashville SC are partnering with GEODIS to celebrate Greener Goals this\u00a0April by hosting their annual Greener Goals Day of Service.\u00a0<\/p>\n Members of both organizations will participate in the Cumberland River Compact\u2019s River Walk & Talk at Browns Creek and GEODIS Park. By blending stewardship and education, this event will guide participants through the landscape surrounding\u00a0Nashville SC\u2019s stadium to remove trash while teaching the group about the\u00a0ecology of the nearby creek and the green infrastructure at GEODIS Park that\u00a0protects the local habitat.<\/p>\n Volunteers will gain a deeper understanding of how to\u00a0\u201cread\u201d a landscape, identify stream health and minimize negative human impacts\u00a0on the environment.<\/p>\n This summer, New England Revolution<\/a> players and staff will partner with Save the Harbor\/Save the Bay on a clean-up at Tenean Beach in Dorchester, MA.<\/p>\n Save the Harbor\u2019s mission is to restore and protect Boston Harbor, Massachusetts Bay, and the marine environment, and share them with the public for everyone to enjoy.<\/p>\n In honor of Greener Goals Week, New York City FC<\/a> will volunteer to help beautify\u00a0one of the city\u2019s most iconic parks, Flushing Meadows Corona Park.<\/p>\n This effort promotes environmental sustainability by supporting the upkeep of one of\u00a0Queens’ largest green spaces that serve thousands of residents each year.<\/p>\n Flushing Meadows Corona Park is a 897-square-acre public park located in Queens, NY and served as a site for two 20th-century World Fairs.<\/p>\n Each year around Earth Day, Red Bull New York<\/a> and Audi come together to support the local community with a sustainability project.<\/p>\n Red Bull New York and\u00a0Audi donate 4 trees for every goal RBNY scored during the regular season.<\/p>\n Orlando City<\/a> will host their 3rd Annual Earth Day Community Clean-Up in partnership with Keep Orlando Beautiful, Orlando Main Street Districts, the\u00a0City of Orlando, and OUC – The Reliable One.<\/p>\n This annual event focuses on cleanup efforts and beautification around Inter&Co Stadium in the Parramore community.<\/p>\n Orlando City are committed to embedding environmentally-responsible practices into stadium operations, events, and partnerships to reduce impact and promote long-term ecological stewardship.<\/p>\n Building on the \u201cNourish with Knowledge\u201d storytelling that was launched for\u00a0MLK Day 2026, the Philadelphia Union<\/a>‘s Greener Goals initiative will strengthen the connection between the club’s community garden and community refrigerator to\u00a0create a more cohesive and impactful ecosystem.<\/p>\n Students will take pride in\u00a0maintaining, growing, harvesting, and cooking the items that are grown in the\u00a0community garden for the entire year. Produce that isn’t used in the garden will\u00a0be donated to the Philadelphia Union x Penn Medicine Community Fridge.<\/p>\n Through cross-collaboration with several community partners, the Union aim to deepen\u00a0community engagement while advancing sustainable solutions to food insecurity.<\/p>\n This approach reflects the club’s long-term commitment to meaningful, community-centered environmental and social impact.<\/p>\n The Portland Timbers<\/a> hosted the We Believe in Portland Spring cleanup powered by Adopt One Block at Providence Park on April 17.<\/p>\n The event brought together fans, local residents, and volunteers to help clean and beautify downtown Portland.<\/p>\n The activity is part of the Timbers\u2019 Green Is Gold\u00a0environmental initiative, which focuses on educating the community on\u00a0conservation, biodiversity and sustainability while reducing the club\u2019s\u00a0environmental footprint through season-long programming and action.<\/p>\n Real Salt Lake<\/a> players, staff and greats will be partnering with My Hometown and the Jordan River Commission to clean up and revitalize a portion of the Jordan River.<\/p>\n The Jordan River Commission envisions a parkway that contains natural areas and a healthy functioning river that provides quality habitat for wildlife, is safe, clean, and\u00a0well-maintained and offers great recreation, leisure, and educational\u00a0opportunities in natural and improved settings from lake to lake.<\/p>\n In addition to the volunteer service project, the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation made a $10 million donation to Great Salt Lake Rising. The contribution reflects a\u00a0continued commitment to building healthy, thriving communities across Utah.<\/p>\n The investment will support efforts that promote water conservation, strengthen\u00a0partnerships and advance solutions that help preserve the Great Salt Lake\u2019s long-term viability.<\/p>\n “We believe in the power of soccer to bring people together and\u00a0create lasting change,\u201d said San Diego FC<\/a> VP of Community, Joel Katz.<\/p>\n \u201cWoven into One Planet Month is our opportunity to not only celebrate the game but also take meaningful action. By working alongside our fans, partners, and local organizations, we\u2019re reinforcing our commitment to sustainability while\u00a0engaging our communities in service projects that will raise awareness and\u00a0create lasting impact across the region.”<\/p>\n Paypal Park and the San Jose Earthquakes<\/a> are keeping their food recovery\u00a0program going strong, channeling surplus food from home games and events to\u00a0Martha’s Kitchen, a local nonprofit on the frontlines of fighting hunger in the\u00a0community.<\/p>\n In 2025, the program diverted more than 4,800 pounds of food from\u00a0waste, and the club is well on its way to hitting that mark again this season. The\u00a0next donation will take place on Earth Day, following the Earthquakes’ April 22\u00a0home match against Austin FC.<\/p>\n Seattle Sounders FC<\/a> are proud to continue their efforts to protect our planet this Earth\u00a0Month.<\/p>\n The club is collaborating with Puget Soundkeeper, a Seattle-based\u00a0nonprofit organization working to protect and enhance the waters of Puget\u00a0Sound, to host a service project where club staff will work to clean up the nature\u00a0adjacent to the club’s training facility in Renton.<\/p>\n After hosting the club\u2019s annual Sporting Sustainability Night on April 11, Sporting Kansas City<\/a> are teaming with a pair of local non-profit organizations\u00a0during this year\u2019s MLS Greener Goals Week of Service to support equitable\u00a0community access to fresh produce in an effort to fight hunger, improve nutrition\u00a0and raise awareness for food insecurity.<\/p>\n Sporting KC players and staff will\u00a0volunteer with Urban Produce Push KC on April 21 to prep the Pendleton Heights\u00a0Community Garden for the spring growing season. In addition, Sporting KC\u00a0associates will also volunteer in the warehouse at Kanbe’s Markets on April 23 to\u00a0sort, pack and distribute rescued produce for food pantries, kitchens and shelters in the area.<\/p>\n Energizer Park’s zero-waste achievement is powered by a fully integrated approach to sustainability, including a 100% local food program, on-site waste sorting, and strategic partnerships with organizations such as YETI, PepsiCo, Levy Restaurants, and St. Louis Composting.<\/p>\n In 2025, St. Louis CITY<\/a>‘s home ground earned LEED Gold certification for Operations and\u00a0Maintenance from the U.S. Green Building Council \u2013 the first for a sports venue in\u00a0St. Louis and one of only a few MLS soccer-specific stadiums with this distinction.<\/p>\n