McDonald's® All American High School Soccer Game Celebrates Second Year Of Excellence

Showcasing the nation's top boys and girls high school soccer players, the Second Annual McDonald's All American High School Soccer Games return to Charleston, SC, on Sunday June 15, 2003. Once again partnering with POWERade, McDonald's will host the event, which will be played at Daniel Island's Blackbaud Stadium.

Proceeds from this All-Star soccer event will benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities and the Rotary Gift of Life, two non-profit organizations dedicated to improving the health and well-being of children.

Building off the success of last year's inaugural event, this all-star affair will feature graduating high school soccer players. The McDonald's All American High School Soccer Games, powered by POWERade, are patterned after the prestigious McDonald's All American High School Basketball Game, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in New York City at Madison Square Garden in 2002.

Blackbaud Stadium, home of the Charleston Battery of the A-League (Division II professional) is one of the newest soccer specific stadiums in the United States. Located on Daniel Island near the city of Charleston, the 5,000-seat facility will play host to two games played June 15, with boys from the East facing boys from the West, and girls from the East facing girls from the West.

"With the success of last year's event, we are pleased to once again have the honor of showcasing the top high school soccer players in the country," said John Lewicki, director of sports marketing for McDonald's. "We think it's important to celebrate young people's athletic achievements and to share that success both on and off the field."

Teams will be selected by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) from a nationwide pool of players created by the NSCAA/adidas All America teams. Members of the NSCAA will nominate more than 1,000 players for the event, with 36 boys and 36 girls being selected for the four, 18- player squads. The official equipment provider and national sponsor of the McDonald's All American Soccer Game, adidas, is the leading manufacturer, marketer, and distributor of soccer products worldwide and in the United States

Coaches for the four teams will be also selected from the NSCAA/adidas National High School Coach of the Year Award winners announced earlier this year.

In the 2002 inaugural games, the East Girls defeated the West 6-0 behind game MVP Kelly Hammond (University of Virginia) and Amy Franciscovich (Emory University) the games Most Valuable Goalkeeper (MVG), both of the East Team. In the boys' game, the East edged the West 2-1 behind Philip Long (University of Virginia) -- MVP and Brain Crunk (King College) -- MVG, from the East Team.

"The McDonald's All American High School Soccer Games are a unique opportunity for the finest high school soccer players in the country to come together," said Rohan Oza, senior brand manager for POWERade. "These All American games will provide soccer fans some exciting entertainment and raise funds to support facilities that help children and families with medical needs."

In addition to the All American games, the All American players will participate in community-oriented soccer activities, including participatory events for children, high school students, and parents, as well as visits to the Ronald McDonald House of Charleston and the Rotary Gift of Life program at the Medical University of South Carolina.

McDonald's is the world's largest global foodservice retailer, with more than 28,000 restaurants serving more than 45 million people each day in 121 countries. Approximately 80 percent of the company's worldwide restaurants are owned and operated by independent franchisees. McDonald's has a longstanding history of supporting youth sports, including the McDonald's All American High School Basketball Game, which celebrated its 25th anniversary April 4, 2002 in New York.

POWERade, a brand of The Coca-Cola Company, is a system of high performance sports drinks that are engineered to satisfy hydration and energy needs. The Coca-Cola Company is the world's leading non-alcoholic beverage manufacturer, marketer, and distributor and produces more than 230 brands that reach almost 200 countries.

adidas will be the Official Supplier of Soccer Products and a National Sponsor of the McDonald's All American High School Soccer Games. adidas is the leading manufacturer, marketer, and distributor of soccer products worldwide and in the United States. adidas is also one of the world's most successful sporting goods companies, supplying products for more Olympic sports than any other manufacturer and distributing products in approximately 160 countries.

Coca-Cola, McDonald's, and adidas all support soccer worldwide and are official sponsors of the FIFA World Cup and the FIFA Women's World Cup.

The National Soccer Coaches Association of America is the world's largest soccer coaches organization. Founded more than 60 years ago, the NSCAA has more than 16,000 members dedicated to coaching education, as well as recognizing achievement in soccer. Held each year in January, the NSCAA's convention is the world's largest annual gathering of soccer coaches.

The POWERade McDonald's All American High School Soccer Games are managed by Sports Events International of Charleston, S.C. For more information contact Warren Mersereau at warren@soccersolutions.com .

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SOURCE: McDonald's Corp.

CONTACT: Palmer Moody of McDonald's, +1-630-623-5372,
palmer.moody@mcd.com , or Matt Clay of Golin-Harris, for McDonald's,
+1-312-729-4283, mclay@golinharris.com , or Warren Mersereau of Sports Events
International, warren@soccersolutions.com

Web site: http://www.mcdonalds.com/