Five MLS matches among games postponed across sports over racial justice issues

In the wake of a boycott by Milwaukee Bucks players that has reverberated throughout the sports world, five MLS games were postponed Wednesday night in solidarity with efforts to end systemic racism. Two of those matches, FC Dallas hosting the Colorado Rapids as well as LAFC at Real Salt Lake, were scheduled to have limited fans in attendance. For RSL, it was their first home match with fans as part of the league’s phase 1 of return to play in home markets. The only MLS match that continued on as scheduled was Orlando City SC and Nashville SC. All five matches of the postponed will be rescheduled, a source tells THE DAILY.

The other postponed MLS matches featured Inter Miami CF vs. Atlanta United FC, the San Jose Earthquakes vs. the Portland Timbers; and LA Galaxy vs. the Seattle Sounders.

Bucks players chose to boycott their playoff game against the Orlando Magic shortly before it was to begin, in protest of the recent police shooting in Kenosha, Wisc., of unarmed, 29-year-old Black man Jacob Blake, who was shot in the back. Two other NBA games — Rockets vs. Thunder and Lakers vs. Trail Blazers — were also postponed, as were the three WNBA games scheduled for Wednesday: the Mystics vs. the Dream; the Sparks vs. the Lynx; and the Sun vs. the Mercury.

Major League Baseball also had three postponements: Brewers vs. Reds at Miller Park in Milwaukee; Mariners-Padres, scheduled for San Diego; and a Dodgers-Giants game set for San Francisco.

An NHL game, the Bruins against the Lightning, continued as planned on Wednesday night. The Avalanche and Stars also played in a game that started around 10:30 ET. The Islanders and Flyers played earlier in the day before the Bucks made their stand.

Atlanta United put out a statement, which read: “We stand in solidarity with the Black community, with our players, our city and our fans in the fight against injustice. We must use our voices to be the change."