Soccer for All: The Push for Inclusivity On and Off the Pitch
Major League Soccer (MLS) makes up one of the most diverse groups of athletes in all of men’s professional sports across the globe with 82 countries represented on the pitch in the 2022 season alone. That is nearly double the next closest men’s league in North America (NBA, 45 countries represented) and is also significantly higher than top men’s soccer leagues around the world, including Italy’s Serie A (62 countries represented), France’s Ligue 1 (60), the English Premier League (59), Spain’s La Liga (54) and Germany’s Bundesliga (52).
Although the League’s representation on the pitch is reflective of its commitment to diversity and inclusivity, Major League Soccer strives to cultivate an environment beyond the pitch in which that same diversity can be seen, accepted, and celebrated through its fans.
Athletic institutions are now charged more than ever with reflecting the diversity of their communities to create a visible and long-lasting impact that models a more progressive environment for athletes, front office members and fans. As a result of the changing societal landscape, MLS launched its largest diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiative, called Soccer For All, in 2018 in hopes of using its club’s platforms to create tangible change in each one of its communities.
This year-long commitment strives to make the world of soccer a place where everyone is welcome regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. The initiative emphasizes the League’s commitment to drive positive social change, foster more inclusive and equitable communities and end discrimination.
Through the work of the Soccer For All campaign, MLS has been able to provide resources and programming to over 28 soccer markets across the country. The five-year initiative has fueled the MLS and its clubs in launching activations such as on-site sensory rooms, clothing drives, mini-pitch builds, youth soccer programming, and first-team experiences for individuals with and without intellectual and physical disabilities. The Soccer For All campaign also encourages MLS clubs to commemorate awareness months throughout the year including Black History Month, Women’s History Month, Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month, LGBTQ Pride Month and Hispanic Heritage Month.
This May, the Colorado Rapids will be partaking in a Soccer For All initiative of their own by hosting a match in recognition of LGBTQ Pride on May 22 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. The Colorado Rapids will take on the Seattle Sounders as a rowdy C38, the Rapids’ supporter’s group, celebrates inclusivity in the game through various Pride activations. The evening will kick off with a happy hour at Hamburger Mary’s, a hotspot for local drag queen performances, where event-goers can catch a bus to the stadium to join in on the C38 Pride event. Included in the Pride night package is a limited-edition Colorado Rapids Pride headband and $5 donation to The Center on Colfax, the largest LGBTQ community center in the Rocky Mountain region. 
In addition to the Rapids’ Pride night festivities, the club will roll out content throughout the months of May and June that works to highlight the members of its fanbase that have personal ties to the LGBTQ community. A centerpiece of the Rapids’ Pride content will feature a photoshoot with members of C38 to highlight the inclusivity of the LGBTQ community within the club’s loyal supporter’s group.
“The Rapids work to show that all walks of life are welcome and celebrated in the soccer community. From Special Olympics, to veteran recognition, to the LGBTQ+ community, soccer is purely better when all walks of life are included. The organization emphasizes this in their spotlights, merch, and events such as the upcoming Pride Night!,” says Sarah Ingram, member of C38.
To join in on the Rapids’ Pride night activities, visit rapids.spinzo.com. A portion of each ticket purchase will benefit The Center on Colfax.
Photos courtesy of Colorado Rapids
