Portland, Oregon, August 6, 2025
News Summary
Major League Soccer (MLS) and adidas have debuted the United We Play pre-match jersey to honor the league’s diverse culture, encompassing players from over 80 countries. Teams such as the Portland Timbers and Philadelphia Union are promoting this new jersey, which is available for purchase online and in stores. In conjunction with the jersey launch, MLS has also updated its diversity hiring policies to enhance inclusivity in coaching roles, aiming for better representation within the league’s technical staff.
Portland, Oregon – Major League Soccer (MLS) and adidas have launched the 2025 United We Play pre-match jersey, designed to celebrate the extensive diversity of the league. The United We Play top will be worn by teams across MLS, representing over 80 countries that participate in the league, reinforcing MLS’s status as the most diverse professional soccer league in the world after 30 years of operation.
The Portland Timbers and Philadelphia Union are among the first teams to promote the new jersey, which is now available for purchase both online and at various team stores, including the Philadelphia Union Shop. Fans are encouraged to buy the jersey as part of the upcoming matches during the newly released 2025 schedule, with tickets available for upcoming events at Subaru Park.
Alongside the jersey launch, MLS has introduced significant changes to its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) hiring policy, particularly for sporting positions. The revised policies seek to improve the effectiveness of the Rooney Rule, which has a focus on increasing the representation of Black candidates in coaching roles. Currently, while 25% of MLS players are Black, only 7% of assistant coaches and 10% of head coaches hold similar representation.
According to MLS’s updated DEI policy, the definition of underrepresented groups has been expanded to include various racial, ethnic, and gender identities. This revision has elicited some criticism, particularly regarding the decision to combine the Hispanic and Latinx groups into one category. The policy now mandates that finalist pools for all open technical positions must include at least two non-white candidates, one of whom must identify as Black or African American. This marks a shift from the previous requirement, which allowed only one diverse candidate to be interviewed.
Moreover, teams must demonstrate that their interview processes are inclusive, ensuring candidates have comparable experience for all positions. The broader definition of “minority” has been identified as potentially diluting the intent of the policy. The adherence to these updated policies will be overseen by MLS’s general counsel and DEI office, with active involvement from league leadership.
Failure to comply with the newly established policies may result in sanctions for MLS teams, including fines of up to $50,000 for first-time offenses. Additionally, MLS is set to create a diversity policy portal requiring clubs to submit information about vacant technical positions along with candidate details. The effectiveness of this policy will be evaluated annually, allowing for adjustments based on the interview and hiring data collected over the years.
Conclusion
The launch of the United We Play pre-match jersey alongside the revised diversity hiring policies marks a significant step for Major League Soccer as it commits to enhancing representation and inclusivity within the league. With these efforts, MLS aims not only to celebrate the diversity on the pitch but also to ensure that this inclusivity is reflected in its coaching staff and front office.
FAQ
What is the United We Play pre-match jersey?
The United We Play pre-match jersey is a new jersey unveiled by MLS and adidas designed to celebrate the diversity of the league, representing players from over 80 countries.
Where can fans purchase the United We Play jersey?
Fans can purchase the United We Play jersey online and at various team stores, including the Philadelphia Union Shop.
What changes have been made to the DEI hiring policies?
The updated DEI hiring policies require that at least two non-white candidates be included in finalist pools for technical positions, with one being Black or African American. This is an enhancement over the previous policy that only required one diverse candidate to be interviewed.
Key Features of the United We Play Initiative
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Launch of Jersey | The United We Play pre-match jersey is launched to reflect the diversity within MLS. |
| Team Participation | Teams such as the Portland Timbers and Philadelphia Union are actively promoting the jersey. |
| Hiring Policy Revisions | The DEI hiring policy now requires two non-white candidates in finalist pools for technical positions. |
| Annual Evaluation | The effectiveness of the updated policies will be assessed annually based on hiring data. |
| Sanctions for Non-compliance | Teams could face fines of up to $50,000 for failure to adhere to new hiring policies. |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Portland Timbers News
- Philadelphia Union News
- MLS Soccer News
- ESPN Soccer Article
- CNBC News Article
- Wikipedia: Major League Soccer
- Google Search: Major League Soccer Diversity Policy
- Google Scholar: Diversity in Sports
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Major League Soccer
- Google News: Major League Soccer
