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New York City FC Vs Philadelphia Union: 3 things we learned – Union make statement

By Cameron Albert

Philadelphia Union, New York City FC (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
Philadelphia Union, New York City FC (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /
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REUNION, FLORIDA – JULY 09: Kai Wagner #27, Mark McKenzie #4, Jack Elliott #3, and Ray Gaddis #28 of Philadelphia Union huddle prior to the game against the New York City FC in the MLS is Back Tournament at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on July 09, 2020 in Reunion, Florida. Players of the Philadelphia Union wore the names of Black victims of police brutality on their jerseys. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
REUNION, FLORIDA – JULY 09: Kai Wagner #27, Mark McKenzie #4, Jack Elliott #3, and Ray Gaddis #28 of Philadelphia Union huddle prior to the game against the New York City FC in the MLS is Back Tournament at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on July 09, 2020 in Reunion, Florida. Players of the Philadelphia Union wore the names of Black victims of police brutality on their jerseys. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /

1. A unique and powerful expression

Ahead of one of the most intriguing matchups of the MLS is Back tournament group stage, the Philadelphia Union revealed the backs of their jersey’s ahead of kickoff which saw some of the countless names of black people killed as a result of police brutality replace the names of the players.

“Those are black people that were killed from police brutality and from what I’ve gathered the non-black players on the team, mainly the white players, put names on the backs of their jerseys of people that they’ve learned about through this process within the team,” said ESPN’s Taylor Twellman during the game’s broadcast.

This comes after the tournament’s opening match between Orlando City SC and Inter Miami was prefaced by the protests from Black MLS players and members of the Black Players for Change (BPC) before the opening whistle.

Next. Orlando City Vs Inter Miami: 3 things we learned. dark

The Union jerseys are the latest in ways soccer teams are putting a spotlight on the issues of police brutality, systematic racism, and discrimination in soccer and society at large. With the league encouraging these moments of expression, we should be looking forward to other efforts throughout the league.

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