Congratulations to Portlander Evan Keny-Guyer, who recently returned from a Mercy Corps program in Colombia to join the Westside Metros in the US Youth Soccer U-19 national championship tournament in Kansas this week. Evan's father Neal is Chief Executive Officer of Mercy Corps, whose Vivo Jugando sports-for-change program works with disadvantaged children in Colombia.

As Commissioner-in-Charge of Portland Parks & Recreation, Nick is working to increase access to quality sports experiences here in Portland. The Council has approved plans to upgrade sports fields and athletic facilities at Roosevelt High School, Buckman Field, Grant High School, and Parkrose High School, with more in the pipeline.

High quality sports facilities help us invest in our community's children: youth sports programs foster leadership, teach teamwork, and encourage healthy physical activity. Bringing these opportunities to all of our young people is one of Nick's top priorities as Parks Commissioner.

With MLS on the way, the extraordinary turnout at two public viewings of World Cup matches, improved youth sports facilities, and representation in the upcoming US Youth Soccer Tournament, we're earning our title of Soccer City USA!

Above: Earlier this year Nike donated 4,000 jerseys to Parks' Saturday Youth Basketball Program