The jerseys will be auctioned off to benefit military personnel and first responders.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Two of the most historic clubs in the USL and Capelli Sport have come together to create the Capelli Sport Hero Cup to benefit military personnel and first responders. The two teams collide in Rochester, NY at Capelli Sport Stadium on Saturday, July 8th at 6:05 PM and in Harrisburg, PA at FNB Field on Tuesday, August 8th at 7:00 PM. The Cup will be awarded to the winner of the regular season series between the two sides. In the event that the two teams match results, a series of tiebreakers will determine the overall winner (listed at the bottom of the article.)
Both teams will wear special edition Capelli Sport camouflage jerseys in both matches. These game-worn jerseys will be auctioned off to the public from July 8th to August 15th via the Bidr online platform. 100% of the proceeds from the auction will be divided to benefit the Rochester-area Veterans Outreach Center, the Rochester-area Badge of Honor Association, and the Harrisburg-area Wounded Warrior Project®. Each club’s earnings will go to their respective foundations.
“As an organization, we strive to support the men and women that protect the United States, as well as everything it stands for,” stated Harrisburg City Islanders and Capelli Sport owner George Altirs, “Through the inaugural Capelli Sport Hero Cup and the exclusive camouflage kits, we will be able to further that initiative by giving back to the non-profit organizations supporting the heroes.”
Capelli Sport is also the current stadium naming rights and official uniform supplier of the Rochester Rhinos. Since their inception in 1996, Rochester is the most successful USL club of all-time, winning four league titles and the 1999 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. They are the only lower-division club to ever accomplish this feat.
“We are thrilled and honored to partner with Harrisburg and Capelli Sport to be able to give back to the heroes that go above and beyond to protect and serve the United States,” Rochester Rhinos co-owner David Dworkin, “The Capelli Sport Hero Cup is a great initiative that we hope continues for years to come.”
The Harrisburg City Islanders were founded in 2004, winning the 2007 USL-2 Championship and finishing as finalists in 2011 and 2014. They are currently owned and outfitted by Capelli Sport.
“The Harrisburg-Rochester matchup is one of the most anticipated games of the season for our fans,” said Harrisburg Club President Tiago Lopes, “We are pleased to take our tradition with the Rhinos to a new level by unveiling this concept with them and Capelli Sport. Our club values the work of our country’s servicemen and is honored to partner with the Wounded Warrior Project on this initiative.”
The Veterans Outreach Center was founded locally in 1973 by returning Vietnam veterans, and offers a comprehensive portfolio of supportive services designed to meet the needs of veterans and their families. Through the generosity of the community, all of these programs and services are provided free of charge.
The Badge of Honor Association is a non-for-profit organization that exists to honor men and women in law enforcement who gave the ultimate sacrifice and those who go above and beyond the call of duty.
Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) connects, serves, and empowers wounded warriors. Read more at: http://newsroom.woundedwarriorproject.org/about-us
*Tiebreakers: 1) Goal Differential, 2) Away Goals, 3) Position in USL Standings at Conclusion of Aug. 8 match.