Players kneel for national anthem in NWSL's return 'to protest racial injustice'
Wear Black Lives Matter T-shirts in warmups ahead of Challenge Cup opener in Utah
Lynn Williams scored in stoppage time and the North Carolina Courage defeated the Portland Thorns 2-1 in the opening game of the National Women's Soccer League's Challenge Cup tournament on Saturday in Utah.
The NWSL is the first professional team sport to return amid the coronavirus pandemic. The teams had opened pre-season training camps when the league shut down on March 12.
Players from both teams collectively took a knee during the national anthem and wore Black Lives Matter T-shirts in pre-game warmups to protest racial inequity.
"We took a knee today to protest racial injustice, police brutality and systemic racism against black people and people of colour in America," the Thorns and Courage said in a joint statement released before the game. "We love our country and we have taken this opportunity to hold it to a higher standard. It is our duty to demand that the liberties and freedoms this nation was founded upon are extended to everyone,"
The league said Friday that it would play the national anthem before the Challenge Cup games and that it would support the players in whatever they chose to do.
WATCH | NWSL players take a knee to protest racial injustice:
The month-long Challenge Cup opened Saturday with a pair of games at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman.
After a scoreless first half, Brazilian Debinha broke through for the Courage by tapping in a ball served up by former UCLA standout Hailie Mace. But the Thorns tied it minutes later when Simone Charley scored off a scramble in front of the North Carolina goal after Lindsey Horan's shot rebounded off the crossbar.
Williams scored the go-ahead goal on a header off a cross from Samantha Mewis.
"I just saw an opening and right when she looked up I thought, `She's going to cross it in,"' Williams said. "Luckily, no one marked me and luckily it went in the goal."
The Washington Spirit plays the Chicago Red Stars in the tournament's late game on Saturday night.
The eight teams taking part in the Challenge Cup are sequestered in Utah for the duration of the month-long tournament and must follow a strict protocol that includes frequent testing.
WATCH | Canadian goalkeeper Stephanie Labbé shines in Courage net:
But the tournament was rocked earlier this week when the Orlando Pride was forced to withdraw because of multiple positive COVID-19 tests among players and staff.
Megan Rapinoe, who plays for OL Reign but opted out of the Challenge Cup, was criticized when she knelt at a NWSL game and a pair of national team games in 2016.
She said she wanted to express solidarity with former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who took a knee during the anthem to bring attention to racial inequality.
The Courage are the NWSL's two-time defending champions and considered the favourites at the Challenge Cup. Last season they scored a league-record 54 goals.
In the previous meeting between the two teams last season, the Courage routed the Thorns 6-0, led by Williams with three goals.
"I think what's amazing about this team is that when we're down we're always going to keep fighting back," Williams said. "We haven't played together in eight months and there's altitude and a bit of nerves and stuff. But that's the one thing this team prides itself on is no matter what the situation, we're going to keep fighting until the last minute."
Courage forward Jessica McDonald, who was on the U.S. national team that won the World Cup last summer in France, did not play because of a thigh injury.
The Thorns were without goalkeeper Adrianna Franch because of a right knee injury. Bella Bixby made her NWSL and Thorns debut in goal.
"For a first game for us to be able to come out, it's a shame we don't get the result," Thorns coach Mark Parsons said.
Courage rookie Ally Watt was taken off the pitch on a stretcher after a non-contact injury in the second half. She was replaced by Mace, who assisted on the team's first goal moments later.
There was also a moment of silence before the game as the league recognized the national outcry following the death of George Floyd while in the custody of Minneapolis police.
