A Liberian youth coach based in the United States, Doco Wesseh, has been nominated for the Major League Soccer Work Community MVP.

The Major League Soccer Work Community MVP award is given every year to individuals using football to improve the lives of others. Wesseh, who is the founder of the One Goal Foundation, was nominated along with 22 other soccer philanthropists for the charity award.

Each of the 23 nominees was selected to represent the 23 clubs that play in the top tier of American soccer, Major League Soccer. Wesseh was nominated as the representative of the Chicago Fire Soccer Club. His organization has been promoting football across Liberia over the years, having sponsored local community football leagues, local club teams and counties in the Liberia National County Sports Meet.

Wesseh said it was necessary to help children in Liberia after he saw the amount of opportunity children in the U.S. have to play football.

“Liberia is where I come from. Living during the war period and missing out on many opportunities as a child, I have decided to set up One Goal and give back to Liberia in a unique way,” he added. “Living in the U.S. and seeing kids having all the opportunities provided them to live out their dreams, I felt the children in Liberia deserve the opportunity to play football.”

The winner, based on online and Twitter voting results, will see their charities earn a US$25,000 donation. The 23 nominees will attend the 2018 Major League Soccer All-Star game in Atlanta, Georgia, where the grand prize winner will be announced.

Featured photo courtesy of Doco Wesseh