CHICAGO (June 20, 2018) – The U.S. Women’s and Men’s National Team autographed, game-issued jerseys from their matches in June are now available via an online auction with all net proceeds going to benefit the You Can Play Project.
Both teams donned rainbow-numbered jerseys in recognition of LGBTQ Pride Month for their respective pairs of matches. In cooperation with the Women’s National Team Players Association and the U.S. National Soccer Team Players Association, U.S. Soccer is offering one jersey per player at auction to support The You Can Play Project, an organization dedicated to ensuring equality, respect and safety for all athletes, coaches, and fans without regard for sexual orientation and/or gender identity.
The online charity auction has begun and will conclude at 10 a.m. ET on Friday, June 29. The bidding will start at $300 for each jersey.
The U.S. WNT players wore the pride-inspired jerseys against China PR on June 7 in Sandy, Utah, and on June 12 in Cleveland. The U.S. MNT players wore the pride-inspired jerseys on June 2 vs. Ireland in Dublin and on June 9 vs. France in Lyon. The jerseys from the first game of each U.S. team's two-match set are available through the auction.
Last year's jersey auction to benefit the You Can Play Project raised more than $65,000 combined between the WNT and MNT jerseys.
In addition this year, fans can purchase jerseys customized with their choice of rainbow numbers through store.ussoccer.com, as well as a scarf or hat featuring a rainbow “ONE NATION.” One-hundred percent of net proceeds on the sale of these limited-edition items will also be donated to The You Can Play Project.
The “ONE NATION.” design was inspired by U.S. Soccer’s commonly used “ONE NATION. ONE TEAM.” mantra and draws from U.S. Soccer’s belief in promoting a culture of diversity, inclusivity and global connectivity as a country and fanbase.