After five MLS matches were postponed on Wednesday night in the wake of protests following the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin, MLS players will be taking the field again this weekend, beginning on Friday.
The restart takes place after the Black Players for Change (BPC), the MLS Players Association (MLSPA) and the league engaged in a "period of reflection and conversation" following the rescheduled matches, according to a statement released by the league on Friday. Those discussions will result in a meeting between the BPC and MLS owners.
The full statement follows below:
On Wednesday, Aug. 26, Major League Soccer players stood in solidarity with athletes across North America, as MLS matches were postponed in recognition of the struggle for racial equality and human rights. The league, its clubs, owners and staff supported this effort and the goal of bringing recognition to these important issues.
Following a period of reflection and conversation with the Black Players for Change (BPC), the league’s players, and the MLS Players Association (MLSPA), matches will resume beginning tonight with the Montreal Impact hosting Toronto FC.
The Black Players for Change are scheduled to meet with MLS owners, as the players and the league continue working together to create long-term change both inside and outside of MLS.
MLS players joined other professional sports athletes, who did not play scheduled matches on Wednesday to protest the latest victim of police violence against the Black community. In the hours and days that followed, the players made their voices heard by continuing to speak out against racism and social injustice, and demanding change.
The first players to return to action were the Montreal Impact and Toronto FC who faced off on Friday night in another installment of the Canadian Classique at Stade Saputo with TFC emerging as winners.
There are at total of 12 MLS matches scheduled to be played between Friday, Aug. 28 and Sunday, Aug. 30 as part of Week 8 of the MLS regular season.
