MLS players decide to take the field this weekend, Black Players for Change set to meet with MLS owners

MLS players will take the field again this weekend, after five matches were postponed on Friday as protests over the shooting of Jacob Blake by Kenosha police swept the country.

Friday’s match between the Montreal Impact and Toronto FC will start the weekend’s slate of matches after meetings between the Black Players For Change, the MLS Players’ Association, and the league held a engaged in a “period of reflection and conversation” after Wednesday night’s rescheduled games. As a result of those conversations, the BCP and league owners will meet to “create long-term change both inside and outside of MLS.”

Their full statement reads as follows:

On Wednesday, Aug. 26, Major League Soccer players stood in solidarity with athletes across North America, as MLS matches were postponed in recognition of the struggle for racial equality and human rights. The league, its clubs, owners and staff supported this effort and the goal of bringing recognition to these important issues.

Following a period of reflection and conversation with the Black Players for Change (BPC), the league’s players, and the MLS Players Association (MLSPA), matches will resume beginning tonight with the Montreal Impact hosting Toronto FC.

The Black Players for Change are scheduled to meet with MLS owners, as the players and the league continue working together to create long-term change both inside and outside of MLS.

Nashville SC’s match against Orlando City was the only game to be played on Wednesday, as leagues around the country paused following the Milwaukee Bucks’ decision to not play their NBA playoff game. Around MLS, players took to social media to voice their desire for lasting change, and Nashville players were vocal as well, despite not being able to coordinate their match postponement in time to act with the rest of the league.

Nashville SC will welcome fellow expansion side Inter Miami CF to Nissan Stadium, their first match in Nashville since their MLS debut on February 29. Nashville currently sit in 13th place in the Eastern conference, just one point ahead of last-placed Miami.

Author: Ben Wrightis the Director of Soccer Content and a Senior MLS Contributor for Broadway Sports covering Nashville SC and the US National Team. Previously Ben was the editor and a founder of Speedway Soccer, where he has covered Nashville SC and their time in USL before journeying to Major League Soccer since 2018. Raised in Louisville, KY Ben grew up playing before a knee injury ended his competitive career. When he is not talking soccer he is probably producing music, drinking coffee or hanging out with his wife and kids. Mastodon

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