NWSL Teams Are Raising the Bar With Their Pride Month Celebrations
We are a couple of weeks into June, and Pride Month celebrations are in full effect across the NWSL. This year’s Pride jerseys are officially out, and rainbow corner flags and captain bands are being used during games. In past years, several NWSL teams and individual players have celebrated Pride Month in big ways, but this year is shaping up to be full of the biggest celebrations yet. Here’s how the NWSL is celebrating Pride this year.
Gotham FC & Washington Spirit
Today’s TIFO was commissioned by 8 Supporter groups participating alongside Gotham FC in the Play Proud program.
At a time when LGBTQ+ rights are under attack, it serves to amplify Play Proud’s mission to make soccer a welcoming space for everyone. 👏#GothamFC x @Cloud9GOTH pic.twitter.com/hEBRy2gf8R
— NJ/NY Gotham FC (@GothamFC) June 4, 2023
Gotham FC is definitely the team to watch for when it comes to tifos. Last year’s was impressive, but this year’s tifo was definitely eye-catching, with the artwork displaying the phrase “Pride in Each Other.” The club said the artwork served to amplify the mission to make soccer a welcoming space for everyone. On top of that, the team also held a Drag Show at their Fan Fest ahead of their game against San Diego Wave.
Likewise, the Washington Spirit also had a Drag Halftime show during their Pride Night Game against Racing Louisville FC. Proceeds from the ticket sales for that game benefited their LGBTQIA+ partners, Team DC Sports, and Federal Triangles Soccer Club.
OL Reign, San Diego Wave FC & NC Courage
The OL Reign and San Diego wave are celebrating Pride in a few ways, including launching their 2023 Pride collection that offers everything from apparel to stickers.
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The Reign also has a Pride Auction where fans can bid on player-worn and autographed warm-up shirts and jerseys from their Pride match against the KC Current. All proceeds from their “Protect Trans Kids” t-shirt sales benefit the Lavender Rights Project nonprofit organization.
Similarly, the NC Courage will auction off worn and signed players’ jerseys from their Pride Festival game against the Houston Dash.
KC Current
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Players from the KC Current got colorful to kick off their Pride match against the NC Courage. Each player picked a color from the rainbow and dressed in it from head to toe.
The club also plans to participate in several celebrations hosted by the city, including a Pride Festival and Parade and the Mid-America LGBT Chamber of Commerce 2023 Business Pride Awards.
Chicago Red Stars
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Like Gotham FC and the Washington Spirit, the Chicago Red Stars welcomed Drag to their Pride Night match. They hosted Drag Story Hour ahead of their game against the NC Courage, offering three stories before the start of the game.
During halftime, the club also held a meet and greet with special guest Yoly Rojas from the Netflix show, “The Ultimatum.” Additionally, fans received free Chicago Red Stars Pride bandanas at the start of the game.
Ashlyn Harris & Ali Krieger
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The queen of designing Pride collections outdid herself again this year, creating yet another memorable design for Gotham FC’s Pride Capsule Collection. Harris and Krieger stepped out for Gotham’s Pride Night to showcase the design and support their club.
More Pride celebrations are still to come throughout the remainder of the month, so keep an eye out to see what other NWSL teams and players will be doing!
Featured image via Getty Images
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