NWSL Returns: More Than on the Pitch

This weekend marks the return of the NWSL in the USA. Sure the quality on this pitch is important but it’s what’s happening before the ball is kicked that matters more.

This first photo Julie Ertz is consoling Casey Short, both have tears in their eyes as they kneel during the national anthem. It’s left me speechless.

The second photo is every single player in the opening matches starting XI is kneeling in solidarity. North Carolina Courage and Portland Thorns, they don’t usually get on that well, but somethings are more important than rivalry on the pitch.

For context, when Megan Rapinoe took the lead from Colin Kaepernick to kneel during the national anthem during an international match, their federation moved swiftly to ban the action. The ban has recently lifted.