Black players across Major League Soccer have formed a unity in order to address issues of discrimination and inequality in the top tier of US professional soccer.
The newly-founded coalition in the MLS was announced on Friday, and this announcement came out together with the Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, which commemorates and celebrates the emancipation of slaves in the United States.
And of course, the MLS like many other professional sports brings a reflection of the Black Lives Matter movement which came along protests and unrest around the world, sparking wider discussions about racism and police brutality in society following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
So far, over 70 black MLS players have officially joined the ranks of the Black Players Coalition which has started as an Instagram group that was created about three weeks ago by Toronto FC’s defender, MLS veteran Justin Morrow. In two days it grew from 32 to over 70 players, and has now officially been formed as non-for-profit organization under section 501(c)(3). The organization already raised $75,000 in contributions from the MLSPA.
The coalition members joined a Zoom meeting to discuss the group’s objectives, which were stated during the call as follows:
- Creating a platform and voice to speak on all issues relating to black players.
- Increasing the representations of black officials Major League Soccer office and in the MLS Players’ Association (MLSPA).
- Creating programs that will impact and promote equality in black communities within MLS markets.
Morrow spoke to reports on a conference all on Thursday before the announcement: “We came together on that call, it was the most hopeful thing in one of the darkest weeks of my entire life. And I say that because it was like seeing my brothers and being in a room full of friends…and it was really there that we decided we needed and organization for us.”
Beside Morrow who has been named the group’s executive director, the organization is studded with many other MLS prominent players. Board members include Chicago Fire’s C.J. Sapong, former D.C. United’s Quincy Amarikwa, Portland Timbers Jeremey Ebobisse, NYCFC’s Sean Johnson, Minnesota United’s Ike Opara, D.C. United’s Bill Hamid and Earl Edwards Jr, Colorado Rapid’s Kei Kamara, FC Cincinnati’s Kendall Watson, Philadelphia Union’s Ray Gaddis and Nashville SC’s Jalil Anibaba.
According to a statement released on Friday, the MLS Black Players Coalition pledges to “help bridge the racial equality gap that exists in the league.” It is also “committed to tackling racial injustices that have prevented black people from having an equitable stake in society.”
The MLS itself is embracing the movement and has pledged to support the Black Players Coalition efforts. In a statement released by the league, the MLS said: “MLS proudly recognizes and supports the Black Players Coalition of MLS – a group of players who today, on Juneteenth, have established themselves as influential change leaders. The league looks forward to continued and longstanding collaboration with the Black Players Coalition.”
