March 4, 2010 | Washington, DC

VIEW PHOTOS OF THE EVENT (credit: Juan Carlos Briceno)

The U.S. Soccer Foundation honored Archbishop Desmond Tutu with the Lifetime Achievement Award and Maureen and John Hendricks for their vision and invaluable support of women’s soccer in the United States and their leadership in launching women’s professional soccer in this country.

Drew Carey was master of ceremonies for the biennial gala on March 4, 2010 in Washington, DC that raised funds for programs that use soccer to improve the lives of at-risk youth.

"Ahhh, did you notice? Did you notice? A smile breaking over God's face because God looked today and God saw the U.S. Soccer Foundation, and the things that they do for these wonderful kids around here. And God said, 'Hey, that's why I created them. They are vindicating,' and a smile breaks over God's face like the sun shining through the rain."

~ Archbishop Desmond Tutu speaking at the 2010 U.S. Soccer Foundation Leveling the Playing Field Gala

Desmond Tutu at the U.S. Soccer Foundation gala (Washington Examiner, 3/4/10)

Gala Co-Chairs
Mr. Kevin Payne, President and CEO, DC United
Mr. David Sutphen, Partner, Brunswick Group, LLC

Honorary Committee
The Honorable James E. Clyburn
The Honorable Mary Bono Mack
The Honorable George Miller
The Honorable David Reichert
The Honorable Chris Van Hollen, Jr.
The Honorable Adrian M. Fenty
Gen. Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret), Former Secretary of State & Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Ms. Tonya Antonucci, Commissioner, Women's Professional Soccer
Mr. Will Chang, Managing Partner, DC United
Mr. Landon Donovan, Member of the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team
Ms. Mia Hamm, Member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame
Mr. John Harkes, Soccer Commentator and Member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame
Ms. Janet Murguía, President and CEO, National Council of La Raza
Mr. Eddie Pope, Former Member of the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team
Mr. Jon Stewart, Host, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Ms. Abby Wambach, Member of the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team
Mr. Jeffrey Wright, Emmy and Tony Award Winning Actor

Host Committee
Mr. Peter Abrahams, Publisher, DC Magazine
Dr. Tommy Clark, Founder and CEO, Grassroot Soccer
Mr. Carlos Cordeiro, Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
Mr. Dan Flynn, CEO and Secretary General, U.S. Soccer Federation
Mr. Ed Foster-Simeon, President, U.S. Soccer Foundation
Mr. Don Garber, Commissioner, Major League Soccer
Mr. Greg Griffith, Director of Development, U.S. Soccer Foundation
Mr. Sunil Gulati, President, U.S. Soccer Federation
Mr. Brian Klein, Co-founder and Managing Member, Steelhead Partners, LLC
Mr. John Koskinen, Director and Interim Chief Executive Officer, Freddie Mac
Mr. Charles Stimson, Senior Legal Fellow, The Heritage Foundation
Mr. Erik Thamm, Vice President, Aberdeen Operations at CSC
Mr. James Walsh, Government Affairs Counselor, K&L Gates