Professional soccer team Los Angeles Galaxy selected their "Hero of the Game" from amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), recognizing the Sailor at a game against the Columbus Crew Sept. 3, during the inaugural Los Angeles Fleet Week.

Yeoman 2nd Class Brian Leyva, a Los Angeles native, was chosen by the LA Galaxy Foundation as Hero of the Game. The Hero of the Game is a service member, a police officer or a fighter, and is invited onto the field and displayed on the scoreboard during the playing of the national anthem.

"I feel really proud," said Minerva Leyva, Brian Leyva's mother. "Even though I taught him to be strong, he knows he's my hero."

Hero of the Game is selected from an online application and routed through the LA Galaxy Foundation. Each application is considered, based on significant stories or level of dedication to the team.

"The program is set up to give heroes the VIP treatment they deserve," said Celeste Soto, LA Galaxy Foundation manager. "It was very apparent of his dedication to his country and our soccer team. To find where those two worlds meet is far beyond what we usually see."

Leyva has been a fan of the team since 1996, when the league started, and he got season passes to go to the games whenever he had the chance.

"I'm ecstatic," said Leyva. "It's one of those moments when you're growing up and you see it on TV, and now it's happening to me."

Fleet week offers the public an opportunity to tour ships, meet Sailors, Marines and members of the Coast Guard, and gain a better understanding of how the sea services support the national defense of the United States and freedom of the seas.

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from USS America (LHA 6), visit www.navy.mil/.