News Summary
Major League Soccer (MLS) and adidas have introduced the United We Play pre-match jersey, celebrating the league’s diversity with representation from over 80 countries. Designed to embrace the multicultural fabric of soccer in the U.S., the jersey will be worn during pre-match rituals, with teams like the Portland Timbers and Philadelphia Union leading the way. Additionally, MLS is revising its diversity, equity, and inclusion policies to improve representation within coaching positions, reflecting a broader commitment to inclusivity and diversity in the league.
Philadelphia, PA – Major League Soccer (MLS) and adidas have launched the 2025 United We Play pre-match jersey, marking a significant step towards celebrating the diversity within the league. The new jersey, designed to honor the over 80 countries represented on MLS pitches, will be worn by teams during pre-match rituals. This initiative highlights MLS’s position as the most diverse professional soccer league in the world over its 30-year existence.
The United We Play top is aimed at embracing the multicultural fabric of the league, a theme that resonates with soccer fans nationwide. Teams like the Portland Timbers and Philadelphia Union are among the first to support the release of this jersey. Fans will be able to purchase the United We Play top both online and in physical stores, including various MLS team shops such as the Philadelphia Union Shop.
In addition to the jersey launch, MLS has released its schedule for the 2025 season, prompting fans to secure tickets for games at venues like Subaru Park. This new season promises to be not only thrilling on the field but also reflective of the league’s commitment to inclusivity.
Alongside the launch of the United We Play top, MLS has introduced notable revisions to its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) hiring policies focused on sporting positions. These changes aim to enhance the effectiveness of the Rooney Rule, with a specific focus on increasing the representation of Black candidates within the league. Currently, while the percentage of Black players in MLS is 25%, only 7% of assistant coaches and just 10% of head coaches are Black.
The updated hiring policy outlines a clear definition of underrepresented groups that encompasses various racial, ethnic, and gender identities. However, the consolidation of Hispanic and Latinx individuals into a single group has drawn some criticism from experts who argue that it oversimplifies the diverse experiences of these populations.
One of the key changes in the revised policy is that finalist pools for open technical positions must now include at least two non-white candidates, with one being Black or African American. This stands in contrast to the previous mandate, which permitted only one diverse candidate to be interviewed. Additionally, in a shift towards a more equitable hiring process, teams are now required to demonstrate that their interview processes include candidates who possess comparable experience for all positions.
As the definition of “minority” has been broadened, it has been noted that this may have diluted the original intent of the hiring policy. To ensure compliance with the updated criteria, adherence will be verified by MLS’s general counsel and its DEI office, with oversight from league leadership. Teams that do not comply with these requirements will face penalties, including fines that may reach $50,000 for first-time offenses.
To further streamline diversity and hiring initiatives, MLS will establish a diversity policy portal where clubs will be required to submit information about vacant technical positions and candidate details. This portal will help maintain transparency and accountability within the hiring process.
The updated diversity policy will undergo annual evaluations to ensure its effectiveness, allowing MLS to make necessary adjustments based on data related to interviews and hiring practices. With these combined efforts in jersey promotion and revised hiring policies, MLS is reinforcing its commitment to building a more diverse and inclusive soccer community.
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Additional Resources
- Portland Timbers News
- Philadelphia Union News
- MLS Soccer News
- ESPN Soccer Article
- CNBC News Article
- Wikipedia: Major League Soccer
- Google Search: Major League Soccer Diversity Policy
- Google Scholar: Diversity in Sports
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Major League Soccer
- Google News: Major League Soccer
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