CARSON, Calif. – Gyasi Zardes believes in the city of Hawthorne, and as another way to give back to the community that gave him so much, the LA Galaxy star has begun hosting weekly futsal matches at the Hawthorne Memorial Park.

The futsal courts were installed last January as part of a partnership between the LA Galaxy Foundation and Chevrolet. Before the restoration, the futsal courts were tennis courts where Zardes played pick-up as a child.

The idea for the pickup games came from Hawthorne Police Sargent Chris Cognac who reached out to Zardes last summer with the eye of hosting a pickup match for children in the community. Almost a year later, the games have become a weekly event, and Zardes is overjoyed in how they’ve grown in such a short time.

“I enjoy going to these parks with these kids and learning a lot from them and also helping Chris Cognac instruct these kids,” Zardes told LAGalaxy.com. “It’s a great program, and it’s every Thursday from 4:15 to 5:30. All we do is we just play soccer with these kids. It gives them an opportunity to enjoy the beautiful game and to build character. Chris is always teaching kids how to care for each other.”

For Zardes, the ability to offer the children of his beloved community the chance to learn the beautiful game makes all the difference.

“It’s much more than soccer. It’s important for the community in Hawthorne because a lot of kids get to come out and be away from the bad things that go on in the neighborhood. It’s a safe place for them to have fun and be themselves,” Zardes said. “I always thank Chris Cognac because he does a lot for the community and the impact that he makes on all the kids’ lives is very special.

"I’m also thankful for the Galaxy and Chevy to establish these courts in my hometown because now these kids have an opportunity to play soccer, but also learn a lot.”