RHIR Sweepstakes Winner from NYC FC Celebrates 2021 MLS Cup

12/16/2021

The 2021 Major League Soccer (MLS) season ended with a thrilling MLS Cup™ in front of an excited crowd that cheered on as the New York City FC won its first MLS Cup on Saturday December 11, 2021. New York City FC and Portland Timbers squared off for the MLS Cup title at Providence Park. A lucky and responsible fan representing NYCFC was at the game as the grand prize winners of the “Responsibility Has Its Rewards” sweepstakes.

(L to R): Christian Miranda, Guest of NYCFC Responsible Fan for the Season; Carmela Miranda, NYCFC Responsible Fan for the Season

Carmela Miranda, NYC FC Responsible Fan for the Season from Mamaroneck, New York, was selected from 1,220 NYCFC fans who made the pledge during the regular season. She became the grand prize winner of the “Responsibility Has Its Rewards” sweepstakes once NYC FC qualified for MLS Cup with the semi-final win over Philadelphia Union.

NYC FC partnered with Heineken 0.0 and FanUp to promote the designated driver program at Yankee Stadium during the season. Fans – over 21 – completed the online registration and received a complimentary Heineken 0.0. They were also entered to win a signed limited edition scarf.

The Responsibility Has Its Rewards sweepstakes is in its 16th season, provided by TEAM Coalition with support from Major League Soccer and HEINEKEN USA.  It continues to succeed in raising awareness for the designated driver and responsible fan programs offered by MLS clubs.

Supporting TEAM Coalition is a no-brainer for Major League Soccer. Alcohol management is an important part of our league security plan and the security plans of all 27 Clubs. TEAM Coalition’s training program and the Responsibility Has Its Rewards program make our events safer and more secure for all attending and supporting soccer, thereby improving the game day experience for all our guests.Jeff Stonebreaker, Vice President of Operations & Security with Major League Soccer
The success of the Responsibility Has Its Rewards campaign with Major League Soccer is a direct result of the commitment from the League, the MLS clubs, sponsors, concessionaires and all the campaign partners. Teamwork is what this campaign is all about. We are demonstrating that when everyone – including the fans – takes responsibility, everyone wins.Jill Kiefer, Executive Director, TEAM Coalition
Major League Soccer
Headquartered in New York City, Major League Soccer is the top-flight professional soccer league in the United States and Canada, and was founded in 1996 after the USA hosted the 1994 FIFA World Cup. MLS kicked off its 26th season on April 16, 2021 with 27 Clubs. For more information about MLS, visit www.MLSsoccer.com. 
TEAM Coalition
TEAM Coalition is an alliance of professional and collegiate sports, entertainment facilities, concessionaires, stadium service providers, the beer industry, distillers, broadcasters, traffic safety experts and others working together to promote responsible drinking and positive fan behavior at sports and entertainment facilities. TEAM Coalition members and supporters include Major League Soccer, HEINEKEN USA, NASCAR, National Basketball Association, National Football League, National Hockey League, National Collegiate Athletic Association, Aramark, Delaware North Sportservice, Legends, Spectra, Beer Institute, National Beer Wholesalers Association, Anheuser-Busch, Constellation Brands, MillerCoors, Brown-Forman, Live Nation, Lyft, National Association of Broadcasters, International Association of Venue Managers, Stadium Managers Association and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. For more information visit www.TEAMCoalition.org or www.FansDontLetFansDriveDrunk.org.

US DOT / NHTSA 2019 NATIONAL DATA:

  • In 2019, 10,142 people were killed as a result of alcohol-related (BAC > 0.08) car crashes, a decrease of 5.3% from the 10,710 fatalities in 2018.
  • Many, if not most of those lives would have been saved if people did not drive when they were impaired by alcohol or if they used sober, designated drivers or if they simply wore their seat belts.
  • Statistics and research clearly show that 21-34 year old males are the demographic most likely to be involved in an automobile crash, drive when impaired by alcohol and fail to buckle up.
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