April 3, 2023 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – New Mexico United News Release
Albuquerque, NM – At a critical time when LGBTQ+ rights are under attack in the United States, Common Goal, the global impact movement for soccer, is launching a 2023 coalition of clubs from Major League Soccer, the National Women’s Soccer League, United Soccer League, and the Canadian Premier League. The coalition is joining Common Goal’s LGBTQ+ inclusion initiative Play Proud, to fight back against discrimination and promote greater inclusion in soccer and beyond. Common Goal is committed to implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion training in key soccer markets across the United States, Mexico, and Canada ahead of the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup.
Just three months into 2023, 340 discriminatory bills have been introduced in the United States,
including the most anti-transgender bills ever filed in history. Only four states across the United
States have not had an anti-trans bill introduced this session. Common Goal’s Play Proud offers a holistic and collective approach to creating inclusive soccer communities with a focus on under-resourced and marginalized populations. As part of this year’s Play Proud program, Common Goal has partnered with leading soccer clubs, supporters groups, and community-based organizations from across North America to host a series of workshops, totaling 100 hours, focused on promoting LGBTQ+ inclusion in soccer.
The first 50-hour workshop will be hosted by Seattle Sounders FC, MLS’ Inclusion and Impact
Award recipient in 2022, for four days starting on April 4th. Seattle Sounders FC and Common Goal will be joined by fellow MLS club Toronto FC, NWSL clubs Gotham FC and Kansas City Current, USL clubs Union Omaha, New Mexico United, and Detroit City FC, and Canadian Premier League club Vancouver FC. With pride activations across all 8 stadiums in June, the coalition will come together for the final 50-hour workshop in October 2023.
The 2023 club coalition joins Common Goal’s ongoing club partners such as Liga MX’s Tigres UANL, Angel City FC, and Philadelphia Union in their commitment in completing 100 hrs of diversity, equity, and inclusion training.
“We are honored and excited to host one of this year’s Play Proud workshops,” said Sounders FC Chief Operating Officer Maya Mendoza-Exstrom. “As a club, Sounders FC has long been dedicated to supporting the LGBTQ+ community in meaningful ways, which includes building internal capacity in…