The last four months have been unique. They’ve been uncertain, inspirational and eye-opening and tonight’s match provides a chance to return to normal life (sort of).
In light of recent events, when the Rapids take the field against Real Salt Lake, each player on the gameday roster will be donning a special patch on the back of their jersey, underneath their name and number. That patch, an initiative in conjunction with MLS Unites, provides each player with a chance to honor a person or a cause of their choosing.
Many players are opting to shed light on the Black Lives Matter movement around systemic racism and police brutality. Others are honoring loved ones or those impacted by COVID-19.
We’ve compiled a list of the name each player will be wearing during the match tonight.
Player Name |
Honoree/Message |
|---|---|
Lalas Abubakar |
George Floyd | I Can't Breathe |
Kellyn Acosta |
Would you Care if It Was Me? | Black and Proud |
Cole Bassett |
Black Lives Matter |
Nico Benezet |
Wear A Mask |
Braian Galvan |
We Are All Equal |
Matt Hundley |
Rose Tadlock: Close friend & prominent figure in the African American community |
Clint Irwin |
Rev. William Barber II: Rev. William Barber II is an American Protestant minister and political activist. He is the President and Senior Lecturer at Repairers of the Breach and co-chair of the Poor People's Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival. He also serves as a member of the national board of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the chair of its Legislative Political Action Committee."\ |
Kei Kamara |
Kadijah Saccoh: Kadijah is a 5-year-old girl from Kei's home country of Sierra Leone, West Africa, who was raped and murdered. They are currently seeking justice and fighting to end the rape culture in Sierra Leone. |
Jeremy Kelly |
VOTE |
Jonathan Lewis |
Change is Here, Change is Now | Black Lives Matter |
Nico Mezquida |
Fernando Grossling: Good friend of Nico's and Front Line Worker in Vancouver, who helped children across BC as a Senior Infant Transport Team Paramedic at BC Women's and Children's Hospital. |
Drew Moor |
Black Lives Matter |
Younes Namli |
Equality |
Jack Price |
Mary Price: Grandmother, 80, passed away due to complications with COVID-19 |
Andre Rawls |
Louis J. Wobbe: Grandfather, Andre's biggest supporter; He's currently ill right now (not with COVID), and has been through a lot over the years. |
Keegan Rosenberry |
Black Lives Matter |
Diego Rubio |
Equality |
Andre Shinyashiki |
Liz Shinyashiki: Andre's unborn niece, due date is July 12 (gameday) |
Auston Trusty |
Black Lives Matter |
Sam Vines |
Respect |
Collen Warner |
Black Lives Matter |
Danny Wilson |
Black Lives Matter |
Deklan Wynne |
Black Lives Matter |
William Yarbrough |
Change Is Here |
