Sam Okpodu has played and coached at the highest levels. The Nigeria native was a three-time All-American – and the Atlantic Coast Conference’s all-time leading scorer – at North Carolina State University. He coached the Newberry College men’s team, became the first women’s soccer coach at Virginia Tech, and led the Nigerian women’s national team […]
black lives matter
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They're Saying: Demba Ba
“Why, when you mention a Black guy, you have to say, ‘This Black guy’? You wouldn’t say, ‘These white guys,’” You’d say, ‘These guys.’” — Istanbul Basaksehir’s Senegalese star, Demba Ba, to fourth official Sebastian Coltescu after the Romanian referred to Basaksehir’s assistant coach, former Cameroon international Pierre Webo, as “that negru” during the issuance […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
Tweet du jour: Wayne Rooney
“Yesterday I witnessed the disgraceful and mindless behavior by a large section of the Millwall supporters in the stadium. Prior to the match, we were aware of the possibility of a planned disruptive response during the taking of the knee in support of the BLM campaign, but nothing prepared us for what we heard. I […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
Sunday morning: What we're reading (and listening to)
1. Players have been kneeling for months. Now what? By Miriti Murungi (New York Times) 2. After waiting patiently for his moment, FC Dallas’ Bryan Reynolds has shined as a starter By Jon Arnold (Dallas Morning-News) 3. Apart but together: tips for a cozier Zoom Thanksgiving By Katie Wortman (AP)
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They're Saying: Mark McKenzie
“Going back to my grandma, expressing the importance of voting and how, as a Black woman born in the late ’30s, things have changed and just how important this responsibility is. And nowthat I have this responsibility, I haven’t taken it lightly by any means.” — Philadelphia Union defender Mark McKenzie, who was born in […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
Saturday morning: What we're reading (and listening to)
1. For some teams, COVID-19 ends IHSAA playoffs before they begin: ‘It’s devastating.’ By Matthew VanTryon (Indianapolis Star) 2. Rashford ‘blown away’ by grassroots pledges to feed kidsBy Ken Maguire (AP) 3. MLB’s Black players continued a mentoring tradition amid apandemic By James Wagner (New York Times)
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Reggie Cannon: FC Dallas wanted him to apologize for calling fans' behavior 'disgusting'
Aug. 12 was supposed to be a form ofliberation for U.S. international Reggie Cannon. After more than five months off, Cannon and his FC Dallas teammates were set to play Nashville SC in the first game back for bothteams. COVID-19 outbreaks — Cannon was among the players infected — forced both teams to withdraw from […]
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First mini-pitches honoring Black Players for Change unveiled in New Jersey
U.S. Soccer Foundation’s first mini-pitches honoring Black Players for Change were unveiled Monday at West Side High School in Newark, New Jersey. Black executives from the New York RedBulls and the U.S. Soccer Foundation and players on the West Side High School soccer team held discussions to talk about their own personal experiences and challenges […]
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USL team wants to forfeit point earned in game marred by racial slur
The USL Championship expansion team San Diego Loyal says it will forfeit the point earned its 1-1 tie at LA Galaxy II on Wednesday after a racial slur was directed at a Loyal player during the match. “We don’t even want to recognize being a part of a match where these types of actions take […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
Wednesday morning: What we're reading (and listening to)
1. The privilege of play: Why the world’s game is a white game in the U.S. By Henry Bushnell (Yahoo Sports) 2. The Collective starts women’s think tank By Liz Mullen (Sports Business Journal) 3. Climate disruption is now locked in. The next moves will becrucial. By John Branch and Brad Plumer (New York Times)