News Summary
Major League Soccer (MLS) and adidas have launched the United We Play pre-match jersey to celebrate the league’s diversity. Players from over 80 countries will don this new jersey, emphasizing MLS’s commitment to multicultural representation. In conjunction, MLS announced revisions to its diversity, equity, and inclusion hiring policy, enhancing opportunities for underrepresented candidates, particularly Black individuals, within the league. As the 2025 season approaches, the focus on diversity and inclusion is set to strengthen MLS’s community engagement and representation.
Philadelphia – Major League Soccer (MLS) and adidas have announced the launch of the 2025 United We Play pre-match jersey, a new initiative aimed at celebrating the diversity present within the league. This jersey will be worn by all MLS teams prior to matches, highlighting the rich multicultural representation that characterizes the soccer league.
The United We Play jersey reflects the participation of players from over 80 countries, making MLS one of the most diverse professional soccer leagues globally. The Portland Timbers and Philadelphia Union are among the teams leading the charge in promoting the new jersey. Fans can look forward to purchasing the United We Play top both online and in stores, including various MLS team shops, such as the Philadelphia Union Shop.
Coinciding with the release of the United We Play top, MLS has also unveiled significant revisions to its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) hiring policy focused on increasing representation, particularly of Black candidates, in sporting positions. These updates are part of the league’s broader commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion across all levels within MLS.
Currently, the Black player pool in MLS constitutes approximately 25%, yet representation among coaches is markedly lower, with only 7% of assistant coaches and 10% of head coaches being Black. The revised policy seeks to address this discrepancy by implementing a more stringent application of the Rooney Rule, which aims to enhance opportunities for underrepresented candidates.
Enhanced Hiring Policies
The updated hiring policy now necessitates that finalist pools for open technical positions include at least two non-white candidates, one of whom must be Black or African American. This move signifies a shift from the previous policy, which allowed for only one diverse candidate to be interviewed, aiming to improve the quality of candidate pools across the league.
The new policy also includes a comprehensive definition of underrepresented groups, which covers a variety of racial, ethnic, and gender identities. This broadening has sparked some critique, specifically regarding the inclusion of Hispanic and Latinx individuals into a single group. Furthermore, the revised policy demands that teams demonstrate a thorough interview process that includes candidates with comparable experience, ensuring equitable applications throughout the league.
Oversight and Accountability
MLS’s general counsel and DEI office will oversee adherence to the updated policy, with league leadership providing additional input. Teams that do not comply with the policy will face sanctions, including fines of up to $50,000 for initial violations. A new diversity policy portal will be established, requiring clubs to submit details about vacant technical positions and candidate information.
The effectiveness of these updated hiring practices will be assessed annually, with the language and requirements subject to adjustments based on data gathered during the hiring process. The introduction of both the United We Play jersey and the revised DEI policy signals MLS’s ongoing commitment to building a more inclusive league that reflects the diverse communities in which it operates.
2025 Season and Fan Engagement
The unveiling of the United We Play top coincides with the release of the 2025 MLS schedule, encouraging fans to buy tickets to upcoming matches, including those at Subaru Park. As the league prepares for a new season, the emphasis on both diversity through the new jersey and improved hiring practices aims to strengthen MLS’s commitment to inclusivity, ensuring that the experiences of its players, coaches, and communities are equally represented and celebrated.
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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
