Special Olympics soccer player back home from Atlanta

Richard Matthews shoots at the net of the Lower Queen’s Park soccer pitch. Matthews, a Stratford-based Special Olympics soccer player, has just returned from Atlanta, Ga. Playing for the Toronto FC.

CONNOR LUCZKA, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Richard Matthews, #17 with the Toronto Football Club (FC)’s unified exchange team, is back on home soil after travelling to the U.S. to represent Stratford and area on the pitch.

“It was amazing,” Richard told the Times just days after returning. “I just feel really special about it.”

Richard travelled with his team for a three-day stay in Atlanta, Ga., playing against Atlanta United in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Aug. 24 and just narrowly losing in a 2-0 shutout. It was a rematch following a 5-3 loss at BMO Field in Toronto on July 12 and the end of a season which included an all-star game in Austin, Texas as well.

This is Richard’s second year with the team, which was created by a partnership between Toronto FC and Special Olympics Ontario. The unified exchange team is made up of athletes with and without intellectual disabilities, fostering inclusivity and community while allowing players of all abilities to show off their talents.

Richard started with Toronto FC through his work with Special Olympics here in Stratford. He said the organizer of the Toronto team reached out to area coaches inquiring about interested players, opening up an opportunity to try out for the team.

“His mother and I agreed, figuring he’ll go out and practice,” shared Don Matthews, Richard’s father. “He’ll get the experience of playing, won’t make the team, and that’ll be it. No more driving.”

“You got that one wrong,” Richard replied, to which his dad agreed.

This season involved three games, as mentioned, and numerous training sessions in Toronto. City traffic being what it is, the commute would take between an hour and a half to three and a half hours. For all that, Don expressed immense gratitude for the opportunity.

From sponsorships with Addidas and Coca-Cola to training in the Toronto FC’s soccer academy right next to Rogers Stadium – and to playing in a stadium built for 70,000 people in Atlanta, Don said its been the opportunity of a lifetime.

Now 18, Richard started playing soccer when he was four years old on regional house league teams. Originally from Ingersoll, he and his family moved to Stratford two years ago. His mother Nancy Matthews was originally from the Festival City, hence the move, but it proved fruitful for Richard.

“It was kind of a change from Ingersoll to Stratford,” Richard explained. “Because Ingersoll didn't have any Special Olympics soccer. And then moving here, I really help the people work on their skills here for Special Olympics … Some of the kids don't really know how to shoot or pass it. So I tell them how to shoot it and pass it.”

When asked if he has any particular specialty, he answered “helping other people.” His local coach Paul Cluff agrees. Cluff praised Richard’s “amazing talent.”

"The athletes love to get updates and hear his stories about playing with Toronto FC and his trips to the U.S. to play games,” Cluff said. “We are big family and everyone supports each other. What stands out the most about Rich is his willingness to help his teammates learn and grow on the soccer pitch. We have a big variety of abilities out there at Special Olympics and he helps everyone without hesitation, and without ever being asked.

"That's a part of the game that isn't coachable. Every coach in every sport knows they have a gem of a human being when you see a player out there selflessly helping his teammates each week." 

Richard and Don thanked Cluff for his help in their journey – as well as teammate Daniel Miller-Kaiser, who went to the same high school as Richard.