1:26 PM ET
All 22 beginners from the North Carolina Courage and Portland Thorns, in addition to reserves from both teams, knelt throughout the nationwide anthem before the opening game of the NWSL Challenge Cup on Saturday. All players likewise used shirts over their jerseys with the words “Black Lives Matter.”
The game in Herriman, Utah, marked the return of professional team sports leagues in the United States for the very first time since March due to the coronavirus pandemic.
What did you miss out on? The current from Europes leading leagues
Players from the two groups provided a joint statement shortly before kickoff.
CloseGraham Hays covers college sports for espnW, consisting of softball and soccer. Hays started with ESPN in 1999.
Graham HaysESPN.com
1 Related” We took a knee today to protest racial oppression, police brutality, and systemic racism against Black people and individuals of color in America,” the declaration read. “We like our country and we have actually taken this chance to hold it to a greater requirement. It is our task to demand that the liberties and liberties this nation was established upon are reached everybody.”
Reserves and starters likewise knelt briefly for a 2nd time immediately before kickoff, a gesture most European professional soccer leagues also adopted in recent weeks in reaction to the demonstrations following the death of George Floyd, a Black guy, who died after Derek Chauvin, a white police officer, kneeled on his neck for more than eight minutes in Minneapolis.
Gamers on Saturday likewise wore “Black Lives Matter” armbands in the video game.
While there will be no fans in presence for any of the video games in the month-long tournament in Utah, the anthem was played live on the field and broadcast reside on CBS.
In addition to kneeling during the anthem for 2 games with the United States ladiess nationwide group in 2016, Megan Rapinoe also knelt prior to an NWSL video game while playing with the Seattle Reign.
Rapinoe, who now plays for OL Reign– as that team was rebranded this offseason– tweeted her support for the players after seeing the display.
“You love to see these ladies utilizing their voice, demanding much better for America, and for black people and people of color,” the post stated in part.
You love to see it. You enjoy to see these ladies using their voice, requiring much better for America, and for black people and people of color. @TheNCCourage and @ThornsFC kneeling in uniformity with @Kaepernick7 and @Blklivesmatter ✊ ✊ ✊ ✊ ✊ pic.twitter.com/8Urlj5FMPn— Megan Rapinoe (@mPinoe) June 27, 2020
1 Related” We took a knee today to object racial injustice, authorities brutality, and systemic racism against Black people and individuals of color in America,” the statement read. You love to see it. You enjoy to see these ladies utilizing their voice, demanding much better for America, and for black people and people of color. @TheNCCourage and @ThornsFC kneeling in solidarity with @Kaepernick7 and @Blklivesmatter ✊ ✊ ✊ ✊ ✊ pic.twitter.com/8Urlj5FMPn— Megan Rapinoe (@mPinoe) June 27, 2020
