‘A powerful statement’: Why Black Lives Matter was the focus as pro league sports return to U.S.

HERRIMAN — From the parking lot, it was immediately apparent what the focus was going to be Saturday at Zions Bank Stadium.

Yes, it was significant the game played between NC Courage and Portland Thorns FC to open the National Women’s Soccer League’s Challenge Cup heralded in the return of pro league sports to the United States for the first time since March, but the players on each side made it clear that wasn’t going to be what mattered most. 

Donning black T-shirts with white letters that read “Black Lives Matter,” players warmed up for their first game action this year, visible for all who entered the stadium lot to see, even if that group of people was reduced to event personnel and a small number of media. 

Then, as the national anthem began, all players except Courage goalkeeper Samantha Murphy, as well as some coaches, kneeled. Once players were on the field for the first kick, the public address announcer read a statement honoring victims of racial injustice and those who work for equality.

“With our collective voices, we emphatically say, ‘Black lives matter,’” he concluded.

“I think that today hopefully was a powerful statement. It was an emotional time and I hope that both teams’ message comes through clearly.” — NC Courage’s Sam Mewis

All players then kneeled again as a moment of silence was observed.

A joint statement from the players of the two teams read, “We took a knee today to protest racial injustice, police brutality, and systemic racism against Black people and people of color in America. 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.”

Added Courage and United States Women’s National Team star Sam Mewis after the game, a 2-1 victory for her side thanks to a dramatic stoppage time goal from Lynn Williams, “I think that today hopefully was a powerful statement. It was an emotional time and I hope that both teams’ message comes through clearly.”

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At that point, the match began, and soccer was back, although with a few notable differences. Players on the sideline kept facemasks on throughout the game, elbow bumps were in and high-fives out and when Courage and Brazilian star Debinha opened the scoring in the 75th minute, the celebration was much more brief and quiet than usual, even as her teammates tried to drum up some noise.

Speaking of noise, it was a much less lively atmosphere in the stadium without fans and the near constant drumming that is a feature of soccer games throughout the world. That said, there was enough yelling from coaches and players to their teammates and, yes, the officials, to make it far from silent.

“It was definitely interesting. We’re used to fans,” Williams said, “but I think a lot of us actually started (playing) when there wasn’t any fans, so you just kind of have to go back to that mentality of, ‘We’re here, we’re just training, we’re battling it out there and we gotta get it done no matter what.’”

Courage coach Paul Riley said he “never even thought there was no fans.” In that same thought, he echoed the message players sent before the contest began.

“I said to the players, ‘The game was bigger than just us against Portland today,’” he said. “It was great for the sport. I said to them, ‘It’s much bigger than just us today. It’s about everything — about sports getting back and about all the stuff in our society that’s going on. I think it’s a big moment for injustice and that because I know our players really truly believe, as we all do, that something needs to change.”

A similar pregame scene played out in the nightcap of the tournament between the Chicago Red Stars and Washington Spirit as most players kneeled for the anthem and players kneeled on the field before first kick.

In a particularly poignant scene, Chicago’s Casey Short, who is Black, was embraced and consoled as she cried during the anthem by teammate Julie Ertz, who is white, as they knelt.

As far as the game went, former BYU star Ashley Hatch was instrumental in both of Washington’s goals as it won 2-1. In the eighth minute, a shot of hers deflected off Red Stars goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher and Rose Lavelle shot it home. Then just after halftime, Hatch capitalized on a lazy play from Naeher for an easy goal.

Former Alta High School star Kealia Ohai had a bunch of scoring chances in her first game for Chicago but could never find the net, while fellow Hawk alum and former BYU star Michele Vasconcelos came on late as a sub for the Red Stars.

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