Portland Thorns and North Carolina Courage players knelt during the national anthem on Saturday when the National Women’s Soccer League opened the Challenge Cup tournament in Utah.
The players and coaches wore Black Lives Matter T-Shirts to warm up before the game, which was broadcast nationwide on CBS. The players knelt down in a moment of silence before kick-off.
“We got down on our knees today to protest racial injustice, police brutality and systemic racism against black and black people in America. We love our country and have used this opportunity to keep it at a higher level. It is our duty to to request this. ” that the freedoms and freedoms on which this nation was founded are extended to everyone, “said the thorns and courage in a joint statement released before the game.
The league confirmed the day before that it would play the national anthem before the Challenge Cup games and would support the players in whatever they wanted.
During the late game between the Red Stars and the Washington Spirit, some players stopped. There was a touching moment when Chicago-based Julie Ertz consoled teammate Casey Short, overwhelmed with emotion.
The NWSL is the first professional team sport in the United States to return after the coronavirus outbreak. The months-long Challenge Cup is played without fans at the Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman, Utah.
“It was hopefully a strong statement today,” said courage midfielder Sam Mewis after her team defeated the Thorns 2-1. “It was an emotional time and I hope that the message from both teams is clearly expressed.”
Thorns defender Becky Sauerbrunn said: “The (players’ association) was about working with teams, what we can do to keep the conversation about racial injustices going on in this country.
“We made a strong statement and wanted to maintain that momentum and show official commitment to the cause,” she added.
Megan Rapinoe, who plays for OL Reign but opted out of the Challenge Cup, was criticized when she knelt in 2016 for an NWSL game and two US team games. She said she wanted to show solidarity with former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who bent his knee during the anthem to draw attention to racial inequality.
In response, US Soccer passed a rule that players must stand. However, this rule was lifted earlier this month due to nationwide protests against George Floyd’s death and racial inequality.
Rapinoe expressed her support for the NWSL players on social media on Saturday: “They love to see these women who use their voices and are more demanding for America and for black and colored people.”
Spirit Coach Richie Burke knelt with his players before the late game.
“I am grateful for everything this country has given me, but I need to support the Black Lives Matter movement because I know that this privilege is not the same for everyone. This is just the beginning. There is much more work to be done, “said Burke.
Mewis said teams will continue to raise awareness of racial injustices throughout the Challenge Cup.
“I think we want to keep that momentum and draw attention to the Black Lives Matter movement throughout the tournament,” she said.
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