The MLS Is Back Tournament began at Disney’s Wide World of Sports on Wednesday night with a game between Orlando City SC and Inter Miami, following the NWSL as the second team sports league to return to action in the United States.
While there’s concern about how well the proverbial bubble is doing at keeping players from contracting the virus after FC Dallas had to withdraw from the tournament and Nashville SC’s first game was postponed and their fate remains in question after nine positive tests, the tournament is moving forward as planned as of now. Prior to the first match, players from teams across the MLS joined Orlando SC and Inter Miami on the pitch for a Black Lives Matter demonstration, as Black players from around the league stood, fist raised, around the field as the players from the two squads getting set to play kneeled on the center circle.
MLS players from across the league stood together for a Black Lives Matter demonstration prior to Orlando City vs. Inter Miami. pic.twitter.com/4wszNbCUG3
— ESPN (@espn) July 9, 2020
On the video board behind the action, a graphic that simply read “#MLSIsBlack” was posted, turning their official slogan for the return of the league into a message about the importance of their Black players. It was a strong statement for the league to open with out of the gate and follows leagues from around the world that have held various demonstrations prior to games as sports have returned.
Of course, more important than a strong visual is that there are strong actions that follow, but it was a powerful statement that will hopefully lead to continued efforts by MLS.
Source: https://uproxx.com/sports/mls-black-lives-matter-demonstration-video/