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Allstate Insurance and Tony Meola host “Day for Play” in St. Paul

USMNT goalkeeping legend and Allstate Insurance Company have partnered up to visit Gold Cup host cities while promoting a “Day for Play.”

By Jacob Schneider and Seth Steffenhagen
June 17, 2019 - Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States - Kids and staff from The Sanneh Foundation pose for a photo while at the Allstate Day For Play event on the lawn of the Minnesota State Capitol.
June 17, 2019 - Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States - Kids and staff from The Sanneh Foundation pose for a photo while at the Allstate Day For Play event on the lawn of the Minnesota State Capitol.
(Photo by Seth Steffenhagen/Steffenhagen Photography)

ST. PAUL, Minn - Allstate Insurance company and former U.S. men’s national team goalkeeper Tony Meola partnered up to host a “Day for Play” Monday morning.

The event is not specific to St. Paul however, as the group is aiming to visit the major Gold Cup cities prior to big matches. This is the second city of five with hopes that their travels will bring an already tight-knit soccer community closer together.

As a part of the event, children and soccer lovers alike were welcomed to bring in an old soccer ball and trade it in for a brand new ball. All the used balls that were to be turned in would be recycled as a part of their community initiative.

June 17, 2019 - Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States - Scenes from the Allstate Day For Play event on the lawn of the Minnesota State Capitol.
June 17, 2019 - Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States - Scenes from the Allstate Day For Play event on the lawn of the Minnesota State Capitol.
(Photo by Seth Steffenhagen/Steffenhagen Photography)

In a press release, the Allstate Newsroom had this to say about the event.

“Soccer not only brings people together, it creates lasting communities, and that’s worth protecting,” said Pam Hollander, vice president of consumer marketing for Allstate. “The ‘Day for Play’ is our way of celebrating the sport and its loyal fans by providing this unique experience, whether that’s taking a chance at scoring on a soccer great, posing for a photo with the Gold Cup trophy or walking away with a brand new soccer ball to pursue your passion for the sport.”

June 17, 2019 - Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States - Local kids from the Sanneh Foundation play soccer at the Allstate Day For Play event on the lawn of the Minnesota State Capitol.
June 17, 2019 - Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States - Local kids from the Sanneh Foundation play soccer at the Allstate Day For Play event on the lawn of the Minnesota State Capitol.
(Photo by Seth Steffenhagen/Steffenhagen Photography)

The event was held on the lawn of the Capitol building downtown where kids had the opportunity to play pickup soccer with other children as well as Tony Meola. Creativity was in surplus throughout the morning, with team names such as “Team Sassy”, “Queen Diamond” and “Team Squad” facing off against each other.

June 17, 2019 - Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States - Tony Meola coaches local kids from the Sanneh Foundation as they play soccer at the Allstate Day For Play event on the lawn of the Minnesota State Capitol.
June 17, 2019 - Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States - Tony Meola coaches local kids from the Sanneh Foundation as they play soccer at the Allstate Day For Play event on the lawn of the Minnesota State Capitol.
(Photo by Seth Steffenhagen/Steffenhagen Photography)

The Sanneh foundation, a local charity founded by former Minnesota soccer star Tony Sanneh, also made an appearance at the event. They were given new soccer balls to give out while they themselves distributed tickets for Gold Cup matches to kids who were participating.

June 17, 2019 - Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States - Former US Men's National Team players Tony Sanneh and Tony Meola have a chat at the Allstate Day For Play event.
June 17, 2019 - Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States - Former US Men’s National Team players Tony Sanneh and Tony Meola have a chat at the Allstate Day For Play event.
(Photo by Seth Steffenhagen/Steffenhagen Photography)

Along with ticket giveaways, soccer ball swapping and pickup soccer, there were photo opportunities with the official Gold Cup trophy and more.

June 17, 2019 - Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States - A local family receives tickets to the local Gold Cup matches while at the Allstate Day For Play event on the lawn of the Minnesota State Capitol.
June 17, 2019 - Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States - A local family receives tickets to the local Gold Cup matches while at the Allstate Day For Play event on the lawn of the Minnesota State Capitol.
(Photo by Seth Steffenhagen/Steffenhagen Photography)

Allianz Field will host two matches Tuesday evening as a host city for this year’s Gold Cup. The U.S. Men’s national team will kickoff their campaign against Guyana at 9 p.m. Tuesday.

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