Inter Miami home game vs. Atlanta United postponed as part of Black Lives Matter protest
Inter Miami, fired up to play Atlanta United at home Wednesday night after its historic first win, will have to wait.
Minutes before kickoff, after both teams had warmed up, the game was called off as part of the Black Lives Matter protest that postponed NBA, WNBA and MLB games. There were six MLS games scheduled for Wednesday night. Orlando vs. Nashville went off as planned at 7:30 p.m. but four other games also were postponed.
The game boycotts were organized in wake of the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Both teams were a bit late getting to the field for pre-game warmups, leading to talk that they were considering not going ahead with the game. But they warmed up, went to change into uniforms, and it appeared they might play. Inter Miami players came back onto the field, while Atlanta players awaited word in their locker room.
Inter Miami captain and goalkeeper Luis Robles, who is on the executive board of the MLS Players Association, conferred with Atlanta captain and goalkeeper Brad Guzan, made a phone call, and the decision was made around 8:30 p.m. to postpone the game.
There is no word yet on when the game will be replayed.
“Black Players for Change asked us not to play, and we have to respect them and respect why we wear these shirts, and that’s to make a change,” Inter Miami player AJ De La Garza told My33 sideline reporter Kaylyn Kyle, referring to the newly formed MLS Black players association. “To have our voices heard and support [efforts against] injustice in this country. We had to make a very tough decision in front of our coaches minutes before walking out here. The NBA boycotted and MLB. Athletes have a huge platform right now, and we have to use it.”
The MLS Black Players for Change said in a statement: “We fully support the actions today of our peers in MLS, NBA, WNBA and MLB as well as the recent actions of Atlanta United and Inter Miami CF. We continue to stand with those in the struggle for racial equality and human rights. As professional athletes we must continue to speak out about these injustices and use our various platforms until we see change.”
No players from either team were made available for interviews.
Atlanta United released a statement: “We stand in solidarity with the Black community, with our players, our city and our fans in the fight against injustice. We must use our voices to be the change.”
Atlanta midfielder Jeff Larentowicz said in a statement: “We want to let all of the fans know that we made a collective decision between both lockers rooms to not play tonight to stand-up and fight for social change.” The Atlanta team was scheduled to fly back late Wednesday night, as scheduled per the new league COVID travel rules.
The MLS Black Players for Change made their first public showing of solidarity at the MLS is Back Tournament in Orlando, where they stood in a ring around the field -- many with fists raised -- before the Inter Miami vs Orlando City opening game.
MLS released a statement just before kickoff Wednesday that read: “The entire Major League Soccer family is deeply saddened and horrified by the senseless shooting of Jacob Blake and events in Kenosha. We continue to stand with the Black community throughout our country — including our players and employees — and share in their pain, anger and frustration.
“The entire Major League Soccer family unequivocally condemns racism and has always stood for equality, but we need to do more to take tangible steps to impact change. We will continue to work with our players, our clubs and the broader soccer community to harness our collective power to fight for equality and social justice.”
