At a critical time when LGBTQ+ rights are under attack in the United States, Common Goal, the global impact movement for soccer, is launching a 2023 coalition of clubs from Major League Soccer, the National Women’s Soccer League, United Soccer League, and the Canadian Premier League. The coalition is joining Common Goal’s LGBTQ+ inclusion initiative Play Proud, to fight back against discrimination and promote greater inclusion in soccer and beyond. Common Goal is committed to implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion training in key soccer markets across the United States, Mexico, and Canada ahead of the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup.
Just three months into 2023, 340 discriminatory bills have been introduced in the United States,
including the most anti-transgender bills ever filed in history. Only four states across the United
States have not had an anti-trans bill introduced this session. Common Goal’s Play Proud offers a holistic and collective approach to creating inclusive soccer communities with a focus on under-resourced and marginalized populations. As part of this year’s Play Proud program, Common Goal has partnered with leading soccer clubs, supporters groups, and community-based organizations from across North America to host a series of workshops, totaling 100 hours, focused on promoting LGBTQ+ inclusion in soccer.
The first 50-hour workshop will be hosted by Seattle Sounders FC, MLS’ Inclusion and Impact
Award recipient in 2022, for four days starting on April 4th. Seattle Sounders FC and Common Goal will be joined by fellow MLS club Toronto FC, NWSL clubs Gotham FC and Kansas City Current, USL clubs Union Omaha, New Mexico United, and Detroit City FC, and Canadian Premier League club Vancouver FC. With pride activations across all 8 stadiums in June, the coalition will come together for the final 50-hour workshop in October 2023.
The 2023 club coalition joins Common Goal’s ongoing club partners such as Liga MX’s Tigres UANL, Angel City FC, and Philadelphia Union in their commitment in completing 100 hrs of diversity, equity, and inclusion training.
“We are honored and excited to host one of this year’s Play Proud workshops,” said Sounders FC Chief Operating Officer Maya Mendoza-Exstrom. “As a club, Sounders FC has long been dedicated to supporting the LGBTQ+ community in meaningful ways, which includes building internal capacity in partnership with experts. As one of the most comprehensive programs dedicated to creating inclusive soccer communities, Common Goal’s Play Proud provides even more of that expert training. We know that sport has the power to affect societal and cultural change and it’s an honor to join this coalition of like-minded organizations as we all work toward the ultimate goal of using our platforms to stand for equality and inclusion.”
Play Proud will provide participating clubs and organizations with training, resources, and support to help them create inclusive policies and practices within their organizations. In collaboration with Impact International, Inside Inclusion, Stonewall UK, and HTVB, the workshops will feature discussions and presentations from leading LGBTQ+ athletes and advocates, as well as interactive sessions aimed at promoting inclusive leadership. Common Goal plans to work across every host city and key soccer market by the FIFA 2026 Men’s World Cup with the goal of creating safe and inclusive stadiums, enabling access to soccer programming in under-represented communities, and upskilling youth-based coaches in trauma-informed practices.
“New Mexico United’s primary objective is to bring people together in ways they’ve never been brought together before, and that means all people,” said United President/Owner Peter Trevisani. “We are honored to be chosen to participate in Play Proud, and are excited to bring the best in comprehensive diversity, equity, and inclusion training back home to make New Mexico United matches a more welcoming place for our LGBTQ+ fans.”
The Play Proud program is part of Common Goal’s wider efforts to use soccer as a tool for social change. Common Goal is an inclusive movement aiming to empower all soccer stakeholders to create action-based solutions to the social and environmental causes that they and their communities feel most passionate about.
Along with representatives from the various clubs, Play Proud also welcomes leading community organizations to the diversity and inclusion training. The 2023 Community Organization cohort includes: South Bronx United, Football for the World, The Somos Unidos Foundation, Global FC, RAVE Foundation, MLSE, Canada SCORES Vancouver, Detroit City FC Foundation.
