Through our Players' Advisory Council, we are proud to work with a group of current and former professional players that are as equally committed to providing underserved youth with opportunities to play the game of soccer as we are. This core group of philanthropic players assists us in educating others about the value of soccer as a youth development tool and helps us raise awareness of the impact that our work is having in vulnerable communities across the country.

Play Advisory Council Members

Jose Luis Burciaga Jr.
Landon Donovan
Diego Gutierrez
Jay Heaps
Angela Hucles
Devon McTavish
Ben Olsen
Logan Pause
Cat Whitehill

Jose Luis Burciaga Jr.

An eight year veteran of Major League Soccer, Jose Luis Burciaga Jr. gives back to the game he loves through his personal Foundation, the Jose Luis Burciaga Jr. Foundation, and through his support of the U.S. Soccer Foundation.

Burciaga Jr.’s Foundation focuses on the positive impact of sports and the ideals of teamwork, discipline, and respect in the developing of young minds. The Foundation promotes youth involvement in sports, education, community service and cultural awareness.

Burciaga Jr. has served as a spokesman for the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s Passback Program. He navigated his hectic schedule as a starter for the Colorado Rapids to lead Passback clinics as often as he could. In one weekend alone he traveled from Denver back to his hometown of Dallas, Texas to run a clinic and then flew back to Denver the following morning to run the Passback clinic there. His willingness to show off his impressive soccer skills and speak to children about the impact soccer has made on his life are examples of Burciaga Jr’s dedication to the community. As a result of these efforts, he was awarded the 2008 U.S. Soccer Foundation-MLS W.O.R.K.S. Humanitarian of the Year Award.

Burciaga Jr. also runs his own soccer club in Dallas, Texas called Individual Sports Solutions. At the ISS Training Center, they provide at-risk children with a multifaceted program that teaches them skills development, nutrition education, motivation, goal setting and ultimately higher self esteem and self worth.

Burciaga Jr. believes that soccer has the power to help individuals overcome adversity and adapt to any situation. It is his hope that he can positively impact the lives of the children by showing them the positive life skills he has learned through soccer.

Landon Donovan

Landon Donovan is actively involved in philanthropic activities through the LA Galaxy and Los Angeles Galaxy Foundation as well as on his own. Along with other members of the Galaxy, Landon has taken part in numerous off-the-field community endeavors, including the annual Foundations’ Feast event, where he helped serve Thanksgiving dinner to 200 children and families in need. In December 2006, Landon took part in the Galaxy Foundation’s Build-A-Bear event, in which he helped to build and then deliver 100 Soccer Santa Bears to kids at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Also, during the holiday season, Landon participated in the Galaxy Foundation’s Annual Holiday Assist Program, where 50 underprivileged children were treated to a $100 shopping spree and a special holiday party.

In May of 2007, Landon and former Galaxy teammate Quavas Kirk participated in Fox 11’s “Wednesday’s Child” segment with Christine Devine. “Wednesday’s Child” profiles children looking for loving families to call their own. Landon spent time with one of these children awaiting adoption, teaching him a series of soccer skills. Additionally, Landon and his teammates took part in the Dash for the Hungry event at Albertsons to raise much needed funds for the LA Regional Food bank.

Landon continues to participate in numerous Galaxy outreach, grassroots, and soccer programs, making appearances at clinics to help grow the sport of soccer through demonstrations of skills, character, and sportsmanship. For the past two years, Landon has supported the MLS W.O.R.K.S.' initiative to promote awareness of human rights by filming two PSAs - Don't Discriminate and Right to Nationality.

In addition, Landon recently participated in the popular television show “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” filming a special message of support and encouragement to a family whose living conditions had caused their health to dramatically deteriorate.

Landon donates his time and his enthusiasm to a countless number of causes and charities, from working with animal rescue organizations to donating a private clinic for the Lili Claire Foundation to auction as a fundraiser to participating in a Breast Cancer Awareness photo shoot with his mom Donna and his sister Tristan. He has been involved with the US National Team Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night and Pennies for Patients events. He was also recently named a spokesperson for Kids 4 Kids, a charity that supports the Children’s Cancer Research Fund. Landon has granted wishes through both the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Kids Wish Network, in 2008 with Cody Ottersberg (MAW) and 2009 with Taylor Kennedy (KWN). For both the wishes Landon invited the boys to watch a Galaxy training and then spent time talking with them afterwards. Both Cody and Taylor were able to attend a Galaxy game and meet Landon afterwards, where he gave them his game jersey.

Most recently Landon has lent his name and his voice to the United Against Malaria Campaign. In anticipation of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, United Against Malaria aims to leverage soccer, one of the most popular sports in the world, to raise global awareness and renew worldwide commitment to ending malaria, as well as increase the use of prevention tools and malaria treatment in Africa. Landon has made numerous appearances on behalf of United Against Malaria and has filmed a public service announcement to champion the cause.

For all of his personal philanthropic work as well as his charitable contributions with the Los Angeles Galaxy and the US National Team, Landon was named the 2008 US Soccer Foundation’s Humanitarian of the Year.

Diego Gutierrez

Gutierrez has been extremely active in the philanthropy front throughout his career. He supports over a half dozen organizations on a national, regional and local level, collectively helping raise millions of dollars for worthy causes. Since 2007, he has played a very active leadership role serving as a national spokesperson for the Nothing But Nets campaign to raise money to fight Malaria in Africa. In 2007 and 2008, Gutierrez stepped up to represent the Fire and MLS as a spokesman for the Passback program, a national initiative of the U.S. Soccer Foundation. Additionally, he served as a board member of the Fire Works For Kids Foundation, the charitable arm of the Chicago Fire. Working alongside Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, Diego supports and voices a local Chicago organization, SALUTE, Inc. SALUTE is a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing awareness and support of issues facing active military personnel, veterans and their families while also providing financial support.

He has provided support to the YMCA “Kids Need Heroes” program which raises money to help offset costs of membership and program fees for those less fortunate. Additionally, through the YMCA and the Boys and Girls Club of America’s “Dare to Dream” programs, Diego represents the Fire and serves as a motivational speaker for the program.

Diego has been recognized by the Changing Worlds organization as a positive role model for other immigrants. He was selected by the Department of Immigration and Naturalization Service to give the keynote speech at his own citizenship ceremony and has supported in the past and continues to support dozens of community and church groups through motivational speeches at local, state and National levels. Among other recognitions, Diego has been voted in three consecutive years to the “Hometown Heroes” award, given out by the Chicago Sports Fans Awards to the most influential Chicago-area athlete in the community.

In January of 2009, President George W. Bush appointed Diego to serve on the Presidential Council for Fitness and Sport. The Council is an advisory committee of 20 elite volunteer citizens who advice the President of the United States about physical activity, sports and fitness in America. Included in the 18 council members are some of the most prominent and influential athletes in America, such as Mary Lou Retton, Michel Kwan, Eli Manning, Bobby Labonte, Susan Dell, among others. Diego will continue to serve under President Barack Obama until May of 2010.

Most recently, Diego received the highest honor in the world of philanthropy, as he was inducted into the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame in September of 2009, becoming only the second soccer player besides the great Pele to receive such a prestigious honor.

After his playing days, Diego founded Global Pro Management LLC, a global marketing and representation agency with offices in Chicago and Los Angeles. Through GPM, Diego encourages and challenges his dozens of clients to serve and to think of ways in which they can engage and give back to their communities so they too have a positive impact not only on the field off.

Gutierrez’s career took off after he was taken by the Chicago Fire in the 1997 MLS Expansion Draft. He helped the expansion club to the 1998 MLS Cup and US Open Cup double, scoring his first goal as a professional in the 2-0 MLS Cup over D.C. United. He spent seven seasons with the Chicago Fire and six with the Kansas City Wizards, serving as captain on some of those teams. Overall, he won a total of 4 US Open Cups, three Conference titles and one MLS Cup. In his MLS career, Gutierrez tallied 12 goals and 49 assists in 256 regular season appearances and 231 starts. He also ranks third all-time in playoff games.

He was then called into several United States National team camps and received one cap with the U.S., coming on December 9, 2001 against South Korea. On November 13, 2008, Gutierrez, officially retired from his 14 year professional playing career in MLS.

Jay Heaps

Heaps is very active in the philanthropic world, participating in community events put on by his team, the New England Revolution. Through the squad, Heaps has visited with patients at Spaulding Rehab Hospital in Cambridge, Mass. He has also helped with soccer clinics in the Westwood area, teaching children soccer and life skills.

Heaps also helps with the New England Revolution Charitable Foundation, whose goal is to assist a variety of charitable organizations and programs by supporting their educational, family and health initiatives.

Jay Heaps is a defender for the New England Revolution. He was drafted second overall by the Miami Fusion in the 1999 MLS College Draft and was named Rookie of the Year in his freshman campaign. Traded to New England in 2001, Heaps helped the squad earn the 2007 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The New Hampshire native has made four appearances with the U.S. National Team as well. He played his collegiate career with Duke University, where he was First Team All-ACC all four years.

Angela Hucles

Hucles, a two-time Olympic Gold medalist from Virginia Beach, VA and stand-out player during the Inaugural Season of Women’s Professional Soccer for the Boston Breakers, has been active in philanthropic efforts throughout the year. She serves as a spokesperson and active supporter for America SCORES New England, a non-profit which provides soccer and creative writing programs after-school for 650 Boston inner-city youth, and reaches hundreds more during summers. Speaking at annual events and providing skill sessions to the youth of SCORES, Angela has a “rock star” status within the organization and is truly valued as a friend.

Hucles’ service in the community has positively affected women and children from across the globe. As an American Ambassador for the Brazilian chapter of Partners of the Americas, Hucles works to enhance life skill education for young girls through the game of soccer. Bonding with them through a sport they can relate to, her affect on the children is immediate.

In addition, Hucles serves on both the Women’s Sports Foundation advisory board and the Omega Institute’s Women in Power Conference, offering advice on everything from how to improve female athlete participation to discussing the effects of Title IX on generations past and generations to come.

Though Hucles announced her retirement from professional soccer in October, her influence in the community has only begun.

Devon McTavish

On a team that prides itself on strong community efforts, Devon McTavish of D.C. United, has put forth an unprecedented amount of time and commitment to serving the area, highlighted by his work for those with Crohn’s disease.

Having Crohn’s disease himself, Devon has helped promote the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) and Patient Services Incorporated through a wide variety of efforts, including donating funds and supporting a CCFA night at RFK Stadium. As Honorary Chair of the National Capitol Area Take Steps Walk, McTavish challenged fans to help the cause and, in so doing, helped to raise thousands of dollars for the fight against Crohn’s.

On the National Day of Service and Remembrance, he helped with the “Operation Kid Comfort” program, making quilts and pillows for the children of deployed servicemen. McTavish also recorded a public service announcement for the Century Council on the dangers of underage drinking. He has helped to raise money and awareness about soccer goalpost safety following the tragic death of a young soccer player who hailed from his hometown of Winchester, VA. Going above and beyond in reaching out to the community, McTavish continually helps out at children’s hospitals, elementary schools and soccer camps. This humble humanitarian is making the most of his opportunity to serve the community.

McTavish currently plays as a defender for D.C. United. He was selected in the fourth round – 43rd overall – in the 2006 MLS Supplemental Draft. Though he was limited in his rookie campaign due to injury, he has since become a regular fixture on the squad in his past three seasons. He helped the team win the Supporter’s Shield (best regular-season record) in 2007 and the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in 2008. McTavish played soccer at the collegiate level with West Virginia University.

Ben Olsen

A fixture in the community, Olsen was honored as D.C. United's Humanitarian of the Year multiple times and won League honors in 2003 for his work with area charities such as Coaches Against Gun Violence, Pennies for Patients, DC SCORES and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Ben is a nine-year United player, retiring after the 2009 season, and has become a role model and mentor to the youth of the Washington, D.C. area.

In 2004, he was elected to the Board of Directors of United for D.C., the charitable arm of D.C. United, and continues to be active in the team’s philanthropic efforts. Additionally, since 2005, Olsen and D.C. United have worked closely with Street Soccer USA, a network of soccer programs for the homeless, whose mission is to use soccer for social change.

Olsen played three years of college soccer at the University of Virginia and started his professional career with D.C. United earning Rookie of the Year honors in 1998. In his second year on the squad, he helped the team capture its third MLS Cup, and Olsen was named the MLS Cup MVP.

The Pennsylvania native had a brief stint with the Nottingham Forest of the English First Division and returned to D.C. United in 2003. He continued his tenure with DCU, and in 2007, he was named to the MLS Best XI for the first time in his career. After an ankle injury in 2008, Olsen recovered and played in 2009. For his efforts, he was named the Comeback Player of the Year.

Olsen received his first cap with the U.S. National Team after his 1998 Rookie of the Year season. He was a significant player for the team in the 1999 season, scoring two goals in seven international appearances. Olsen was one of the selections on the 2006 U.S. World Cup roster, having scored goals in the squad's earlier win over Guatemala and draw with Jamaica. To date Olsen has earned 35 caps, scoring six goals for the USA.

Logan Pause

Pause has been active in philanthropic efforts throughout his career. He has donated his time to charitable organizations including the U.S. Soccer Foundation's Passback Program, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Garth Brooks Foundation and the Joshua Center in Chicago. In 2009, Pause also earned the prestigious 2009 U.S. Soccer Foundation/MLS W.O.R.K.S. Humanitarian of the Year Award, sharing the honor with Kansas City Wizards player Jimmy Conrad.

His off-the-field work of mentoring local youth and participating in community outreach, grassroots and charity events demonstrates his compassion for others in need. As a spokesperson for the Passback Program, which provides children in urban economically disadvantaged areas with soccer equipment, he has regularly participated in local Passback clinics speaking to kids about wellness and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

As a Chicago Fire representative at the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program Chicago-area luncheon this summer, Pause spoke with children about leadership and mentoring on and off the field. Pause also volunteered this year with the Joshua Center in Chicago. The center is dedicated to providing support to women in crisis by focusing on emergency and long term needs in order to help them break the cycle of homelessness, addiction and abuse.

His contributions to the Chicagoland community were recognized this season when the Chicago Fire Foundation (CFF) added him to its ranks. In this capacity, Pause helped choose which organizations would benefit from more than $100,000 in grants made by the CFF. Pause also joined his teammates to help raise more than $60,000 at the Foundation's annual luncheon and another $30,000 from the Frank Klopas annual golf outing.

Pause currently plays as a midfielder on the Chicago Fire. He played college soccer at the University of North Carolina in which he co-captained the Tar Heels in 2002. He was selected 24th overall in the 2003 MLS SuperDraft by the Fire. Pause was called up for the United States National Team for the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup held in the United States and received his first cap.

Cat Whitehill

Whitehill regularly volunteers her time to run soccer clinics for underserved youth in urban areas and works to get her Washington Freedom teammates engaged in her philanthropic efforts. She is a well-known advocate of Title IX and has testified before the United States Senate in support of the law.

In 2005, Whitehill graciously agreed to serve as the national spokesperson for the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s Soccer United Recovery Fund Program. In order to increase awareness of the Program and raise funds for the effort, she volunteered her personal time to make appearances, participate in Public Service Announcements and visit soccer clubs in the affected areas of the Gulf Coast. Whitehill is also actively involved in Athletes for Hope, an organization whose mission is to educate, encourage and assist athletes in their efforts to contribute to community and charitable causes, to increase public awareness of those efforts, and to inspire others to do the same.

Cat Whitehill currently plays as a defender for the Washington Freedom in Women's Professional Soccer (WPS). She debuted for the United States women's national soccer team on July 6, 2000 against Italy and has since become a regular on the squad. In 2007, she played in all 24 games - just one of two players to do so - and started in 23 matches. She was a member of 2004 gold medal winning U.S. squad at the Olympic Games in Athens, Greece and was part of the third place U.S. squads at the 2003 and 2007 Women’s World Cup -- playing every minute of 11 straight World Cup games. She played soccer at the collegiate level with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, winning two national championships in 2000 & 2003 and was named the M.A.C. Hermann Award winner in 2003.