Colorado Rapids defender Kosuke Kimura is the first and only Japanese player in the history of Major League Soccer, and when the devastating earthquake hit that country a week ago, he was immediately impacted: “I couldn’t even imagine” (9News). Kimura says he may have to temporarily move his family to Denver amid concerns over the nuclear situation, but in the meantime, he’s asking people to donate whatever they can to the Red Cross, via a message on his personal website.

The Rapids will also make donations during Saturday’s season opener at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, giving $5 of every ticket purchased in a special section to the Red Cross (ColoradoRapids.com). The spirit of giving and hard work runs throughout the club, including with coach Gary Smith, who opens up to the Denver Post about his past and his vision for the future of the team.