Recently, the Nashville Soccer Club Unified team battled Atlanta United FC Unified at GEODIS Park in their second match of the season. After their first match on the road in Charlotte, the team invited Atlanta United to their home pitch. While the Nashville SC team fell short, brothers and teammates Aristo and Mihail “Moose” Katselis valued being on the pitch together at GEODIS Park.
Moose, a Special Olympics Tennessee athlete, and Aristo, a Unified Partner, can play the sport they love through Nashville SC’s Unified team. In addition to sharing their passion for soccer, the pair became teammates for the first time since their early childhood.
“[Nashville SC Unified] is a cool experience because I haven't played on a team with my brother since recreation league when we were little,” said Aristo. “It's important because you can help mentor people with intellectual disabilities.”
Aristo, 15, joined the team this year as a new Unified Partner, bringing his skills and expertise to the pitch. Some of the season's highlights for him have been traveling and playing at places like Bank of America Stadium and making new friends with his teammates.
“It's been a cool experience because I get to help out and travel with the team,” Aristo mentioned.
Moose, 16 and a Hany Mukhtar superfan, is a returning Nashville SC Unified team player. At every match, he looks forward to seeing the Nashville SC first-team players and having them support him and his teammates. Moose highlighted his experience at the recent match, hanging out with first-team players Taylor Washington, Joe Willis and Jacob Shaffelburg on the sidelines.
“I like playing in big stadiums like GEODIS Park and meeting the Nashville players,” Moose said.
While the pair is just a year apart, Nashville SC Unified has brought Moose, Aristo and their teammates an experience they have never been presented with. Playing on a Unified team brings individuals with and without intellectual disabilities to promote that training, and playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding. This team does just that for Moose and Aristo.
The team will play Atlanta United FC Unified again on September 14, 2024 in Atlanta. Stay tuned for more information about the next match!
