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The USA team, led by Captain Zach Stephen, wore jerseys during national anthems that read « Be the Change. » The game is the United States’ first opportunity to show its support for racial equality after the death of George Floyd in May
The USA sent a strong anti-racism message ahead of its international friendly match against Wales at Liberty Stadium in Swansea City.
The side, led by Captain Zach Stephen, to the field, wore T-shirts during the national anthem that read « Be the Change » on the front.
On the back, each player also had a personal anti-racism message or unified with both groups of players knee-high before kickoff
A statement on the USA website reads: “With the aim of inspiring work on social justice issues, all players have been decorated with the phrase“ Be the Change ”on the front of their anthem jackets
“The spirit of their message is that everyone has the ability, opportunity and responsibility to create change in their own way”
The game marks the USA’s first opportunity to show their support for racial equality after the death of George Floyd in May with some embossed slogans on the back of their crests
Floyd’s death in police custody sparked worldwide protests, prompted by the Black Lives Matter movement, which later reverberated across the sports world
This led to several campaigns including pre-game knee injury for players and replacing the names with « Black Lives Matter » on the back of the shirts
The US squad also saw highly-rated Borussia Dortmund midfielder Gio Reina, who is celebrating his 18th birthday on Friday, for the first time with Fulham defender Anthony Robinson and Manchester City goalkeeper Zak Stephen also in the USA squad.
Meanwhile, Wales made sweeping changes with upcoming Nations League matches in mind against the Republic of Ireland and Finland
Gareth Bale was comfortable with Chris Gunter leading the team on his 98th appearance while goalkeeper Danny Ward, defender Tom Lockyer and striker Tom Lawrence also returned
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World News – US – US sends anti-racism message ahead of Wales friendly