SPORTS

Rivera gives back with Project GOAL

By ALEX SPONSELLER
Posted 3/22/23

Cranston native and New England Revolution midfielder Damian Rivera teamed up with Project GOAL last week in Providence to host a youth camp for local soccer players looking to enhance their skills.

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SPORTS

Rivera gives back with Project GOAL

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Cranston native and New England Revolution midfielder Damian Rivera teamed up with Project GOAL last week in Providence to host a youth camp for local soccer players looking to enhance their skills.

Rivera, 20, has been with the Revolution since 2019 and made his first start last season, where he also netted his first career goal. The Revolution started their season earlier this month and he is coming off the bench in the early going.

Project GOAL is a nonprofit that emphasizes academic success while also using soccer to teach the fundamental principles of teamwork and sportsmanship. Rivera is a former member of the program and was happy to go back to where it all started and giving back to the community.

The clinic, which was run by Rivera and other local coaches, taught the kids some of the basics of the game while giving them a chance to scrimmage. The day concluded with a Q&A session with Rivera as well as an autograph signing.

“It’s a program that I came to at a young age and me coming back here, seeing all the kids and the program doing well, it’s nice and I’m glad that everyone is doing well here. Seeing it now, it helped me a lot when I was 13, 14 years old. Seeing how the program is developing, it’s amazing to see,” said Rivera. “A program like this isn’t just anywhere, so to have it in this city, this state, it’s pretty amazing.”

The Revolution is getting ready to make an early season push with hopes of returning to the MLS Playoffs. This will be a big season for Rivera, too, as he looks to continue to develop and earn more minutes off the bench.

“With the team, it’s early in the season but I think we have a good roster. I want to continue to play well and bring an impact any way that I can,” Rivera said.

Rivera was especially happy to connect with kids that were in the same position that he was in not all that long ago, and his advice to them was to work hard and believe. 

“Keep working hard and never give up on your dreams, ever,” said Rivera. “I was a kid in the program like they are, too.”

Rivera, soccer, Revolution

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