USA women’s football stars Julie Ertz and Casey Short share emotional moment as they embrace while taking a knee during the national anthem in support of Black Lives Matter
- USA football stars Julie Ertz and Casey Short shared an emotional moment
- The two embraced as Short broke down in tears during the national anthem
- The Chicago Red Stars players were supporting Black Lives Matter movement
- They faced Washington Spirit in the National League’s Challenge Cup
United States and Chicago Red Stars team-mates Julie Ertz and Casey Short shared an emotional moment as they knelt for the national anthem in support of Black Lives Matter.
The Red stars lined up against Washington Spirit and Short became tearful as each team took a knee ahead of kick-off. She was embraced by Ertz and the two held each other until the end of the song.
Kneeling during the national anthem has become a common way to honour the Black Lives Matter movement and sports stars around the world have taken up the action following the death of George Floyd.
United States players Julie Ertz and Casey Short shared an emotional moment before kick-off
Players on each team kneeled in support of Black Lives Matter and Short broke down in tears
The emotion shown by both players has been hailed for the powerful image sent to those watching around the world.
The official Twitter account for the National Women’s Soccer League shared the photo with the caption: ‘This moment and this movement means everything to our players. #Black Lives Matter.’
Each player also wore Black Lives Matter t-shirts and armbands which display the logo including the clenched fist.
She was comforted by her club and national side team-mate Ertz during the national anthem
Football teams all over the world have shown solidarity with the anti-racism movement with each Premier League team taking a knee in their first league games back.
The National Women’s Soccer League is back underway with a 23-team Challenge Cup tournament following the suspension of the sport due to coronavirus.
The NWSL is the first professional team sport organisation to return to action in America following the pandemic.
Goals from Rose Lavelle and Ashley Hatch gave Washington a 2-1 victory. The Red Stars face Portland Thorns in their next qualification game on July 13.
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