Play with Pride

United Soccer Coaches is excited to announce that the Fifth Annual Play with Pride Week will take place Sept. 19-25, 2021. The initiative was developed in 2017 by the association’s LGBTQ & Allies Coaches Advocacy Group.

Teams across the country can show their support for athletes and coaches in the LGBTQ+ community by wearing rainbow laces. 

2021 Play with Pride Webinar Schedule

2020 National Coming Out Day Webinar

National Coming Out Day was on Sunday, October 11th, 2020. In recognition of the day, we hosted a free webinar featuring Kaig Lightner and Shalom Kimble. These coaches shared fascinating stories about their lives, and the impact their sexual orientations and gender identities have had on their coaching careers. You can watch the recording of the webinar below.

What Does “Play With Pride” Mean to You?

For 2020’s Play With Pride Week, we asked coaches and their players, “What does Play with Pride mean to you?” Hear their answers below!

2020 Play With Pride Spotlights

October is LGBTQ History Month. Get to know trailblazers in the game we love this month with our Play with Pride Spotlights!

Ryan Atkin – The first openly gay referee in English professional soccer. 

Tierna Davidson – Youngest player on the 2019 USWNT. Plays for the Chicago Red Stars, Chosen first overall in the 2019 NWSL draft after playing 3 years at Stanford. 

Thomas Hitzlsperger – Former German international (2006 World Cup, 2008 European Championship). Now Head of VfB Stuttgart Sport.

Angela Hucles – Former member of USWNT; former President of Women’s Sports Foundation. Noted speaker on sports leadership equality and inclusion. Advisory Board member for You Can Play.

Ashlyn Harris – Two-time USWNT WOmen’s World Cup Champion. Plays with the Orlando Pride. 

Ali Krieger – Over 100 appearances for the USWNT. Currently plays with the Orlando Pride. Played in 3 Women’s World Cups; part of the defense that held opponents scoreless for 540 minutes in 2015.

Lori Lindsey – Former 2011 USWNT member; former professional player.

Collin Martin – Came out in 2008, at the time the only out gay man in any big 5 American sports leagues; former MLS player, now with San Diego Loyal (USL).

Megan Rapinoe – USWNT (2 Women’s World Cup champions) co-captain. Winner of Ballon d’Or; Best FIFA Women’s Player, 2019. Known internationally for her crafty play and social justice activism. Named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential people of 2020.

Robbie Rogers – First openly gay man to compete in a top North American professional soccer league (LA Galaxy); played internationally, and earned 18 USMNT caps.  

Pia Sundhage – Former USWNT head coach; 2012 FIFA World Coach of the Year. Also coaches Swedish women’s national team; now head coach for Brazil’s national team.

David Testo – Former MLS player; first male American soccer pro to come out (after retiring in 2011).

Abby Wambach – Women’s World Cup champion; member of US Soccer Hall of Fame. Highest all-time goal scorer for USWNT; 2nd in international goals for male and female players (184).

Saskia Webber – Member of U.S. Soccer’s legendary 1999 World Cup championship team. Goalkeeper Coach for UCLA’s highly touted women’s program, Co-Owner in LA’s new NWSL Franchise Angel City FC.

Jill Ellis – As the former USWNT head coach she won consecutive Women’s World Cups (2015, 2019). Awarded the 2019 United Soccer Coaches Women’s Soccer Award of Excellence.

Anton Hysen – Swedish professional player; 2nd active male player to come out in the world. Son of former Swedish international Glenn Hysen. 

For more information on getting involved with the LGBTQ & Allies Coaches Advocacy Group, contact Dan Woog (LGBTQ & Allies Group Chair)