June 16, 2022 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Chicago Fire FC News Release
CHICAGO – Chicago Fire FC today announced plans to commemorate Juneteenth this weekend, including a local community service project, Juneteenth-inspired jerseys and festivities around the team’s home match this Saturday, June 18 against D.C. United at Soldier Field at 7 p.m. CT.
Community Service Event
The Club’s celebrations will begin Saturday morning with a special event at the South Shore Block Club’s Juneteenth Resource Fair. Club representatives will be on-site supporting set up for the event, repainting neighborhood buildings, sharing information about the Fire’s youth programs and providing giveaway items.
Gameday Activities
Ahead of the match, Section 8 Chicago and the Black Fires supporters’ groups will host a special Juneteenth tailgate starting at 4 p.m. CT in the South Lot. The tailgate will feature live music by local Black artists and food from local Black-owned restaurants. Fans attending the tailgate are encouraged to provide a donation to benefit Assata’s Daughters and Lupus Foundation of America.
Juneteenth festivities will also take place at Burnham Downs, where members of the Black Fires and the Urban Football League, a grassroots organization focused on bringing communities together through soccer, will host a table to spread awareness about their mission and local Black-owned businesses.
Other special guests attending Saturday’s match include Chicago Bears draft pick Kyler Gordon, who will serve as the Club’s Firestarter – a new Club tradition that takes place shortly before kickoff. Local artist Myron Laban will also create a mural inspired by ABLA Homes (Chicago Housing Authority) and Chicago performer Liberty Clay will sing ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’ (the Black National Anthem) ahead of kickoff.
Additionally, all fans in attendance on Saturday will receive a limited-edition roster card print by TGi Movement founder and activist Devonta Boston.
Juneteenth Jerseys
The Club will also take part in a league-wide Juneteenth initiative through MLS’ partnership with Black Players for Change (BPC) – an independent organization of Black MLS players, coaches, and staff working to bridge the racial equality gap in soccer and society.
In every MLS match this weekend, players will wear jerseys featuring Juneteenth-inspired numbers designed by Judah, a Black queer artist from Childersburg, Alabama. Middleton, who now resides in Brooklyn, N.Y., created the numbers which…
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