CHICAGO (June 1, 2018) – Continuing the values of promoting a culture of diversity, inclusivity, and global connectivity as a country and as an organization, U.S. Soccer will partner with You Can Play Project, the Women’s National Team Players Association and the U.S. National Soccer Team Players Association to celebrate LGBTQ Pride month this June. You Can Play Project is an organization dedicated to ensuring equality, respect and safety for all athletes, coaches, and fans without regard for sexual orientation and/or gender identity.
As the highlight, the U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Teams will wear pride-inspired rainbow numbers during the June friendlies. The U.S. MNT will don the look twice in Europe, first against the Republic of Ireland on June 2 (3 p.m. ET, ESPN2, UniMás, UDN), and against France on June 9 (3 p.m. ET, ESPN, UniMás). The U.S. WNT will wear the jerseys at home in two games against China PR, on June 7 at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah presented by Cutter Insect Repellant (9 p.m. ET, FS1, UDN) and June 12 at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio, (7 p.m. ET, ESPN2, UDN).
In addition, a special “One Nation. One Team.” hat and scarf with rainbow lettering will be available throughout the month of June. Net proceeds from these items will be donated to the You Can Play Project.
The Federation will also produce a public service video featuring members of both senior National Teams expressing acceptance and inclusion of athletes, coaches, and fans from all backgrounds.
As a long-time supporter of the LGBTQ community, U.S. Soccer promoted the hashtag #OneNation in 2016 to show support for the victims of the Pulse Night Club shooting. U.S. MNT captain Michael Bradley wore a special rainbow armband with the One Nation inscription, auctioning off the armband and his jersey and making a matching donation. Last year, the U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Teams also played friendly matches with jerseys adorned with the rainbow numbers, and donated money to You Can Play after auctioning the exclusive, game-worn jerseys.