How the NWSL is Celebrating Pride in 2022
It’s Pride month, so you know the NWSL is celebrating! In the last week, we’ve seen the return of Pride-themed jerseys, captain’s armbands, social media icons, and game nights. Several stadiums are also using pride flags as their corner flags on the field.
Most teams are raising funds to donate to local and national organizations that serve the LGBTQ community. However, some teams and individual players are going above and beyond to show their love and support of Pride. Here’s how the NWSL is celebrating Pride this year.
Chicago Red Stars
The Chicago Red Stars started Pride month off with a bang! They held their annual Pride Night game at the end of May to kick off the celebration early, where they unveiled their Pride-themed t-shirts. Fans could also bid on each player’s official 2022 Pride warm-up shirts, and all proceeds benefitted CRS Cares and Affinity95.
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Gotham FC
NJ/NY Gotham FC is hardcore at celebrating Pride. They debuted a new Pride version of a warm-up top and t-shirt, and all proceeds from each will benefit Athlete Ally. During their Pride night match, which they coined as “Riot grrrl Pride,” players used warm-up tops with their preferred pronouns on the back, and the stadium boasted an eye-catching, Pride-themed tifo.
@Cloud9GOTH BACK TO BACK with the most incredible tifos we’ve ever seen. Proud to play for you. pic.twitter.com/IXJ99Q9hVa
— NJ/NY Gotham FC (@GothamFC) June 5, 2022
Angel City FC
Angel City FC created an entire Pride collection of team gear and committed to donating a portion of all sales to the Los Angeles LGBT Center. The team also participated in the West Hollywood Pride Parade and had the only LGBTQ+ mariachi band in the world perform the national anthem during their Pride Night match against the Houston Dash.
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San Diego Wave FC & Racing Louisville FC
The San Diego Wave FC fans received a Pride rally towel with the team name on it. Similarly, Racing Louisville FC gave away Pride game day posters and flags during their Pride night match and donated proceeds from their Pride month merchandise.
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Orlando Pride, Houston Dash, & Portland Thorns
The Orlando Pride and Houston Dash will be using their Pride-themed jerseys this month, and the Dash will later auction them off and donate the proceeds to a local organization serving LGBTQ+ youth.
Love over hate. @tees_mimi x #BAONPDX pic.twitter.com/lu6IzjZQi9
— Portland Thorns FC (@ThornsFC) June 4, 2022
The Portland Thorns brought back their awesome Pride warm-up tops–this year in black–with the same rainbow-font message “Love over Hate” in the shape of a heart from last year.
North Carolina Courage, Washington Spirit, & KC Current
The NC Courage will host a Pride parade ahead of their Pride night match next month. The Washington Spirit is taking it a step further and hosting not one but two Pride game nights. Players of the KC Current modeled the team’s Pride-themed t-shirts, and an incredible banner of goalie Adrianna Franch hung in the stadium for their Pride night game.
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Kayleigh Kurtz of the NC Courage is partnering with Athlete Ally to Play for Pride again this year. Like other athletes in the past, she is donating to the cause and encouraging fans to do the same for a chance to win her game-worn Pride jersey and cleats.
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Megan Rapinoe & Christen Press
Megan Rapinoe continues to use her social media platforms to promote Pride and encourage others to celebrate it with joy. Fellow “re-inc” founder, Christen Press, used her own social media platforms to promote the new line of Pride wear they are releasing this month.
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Ali Krieger & Ashlyn Harris
Of course, no Pride month would be complete without powerhouse couple Ali Krieger and Ashlyn Harris. They started off Pride month by celebrating as a family this year with their daughter.
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Truly, the NWSL is showing the rest of the sports world how Pride should be celebrated. As the month continues, we can expect more players to continue promoting acceptance and sharing their own meaning of Pride.
Featured image via @chicagoredstars on Instagram
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