News Summary
Major League Soccer (MLS) has unveiled the 2025 United We Play pre-match jersey in partnership with adidas, celebrating the league’s diversity and announcing enhanced diversity hiring policies. This vibrant jersey, worn during pre-match routines, highlights the multicultural makeup of MLS, which includes representation from over 80 countries. Alongside the jersey launch, MLS is updating its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) hiring policies to promote better representation in coaching and technical roles. These initiatives reflect MLS’s dedication to nurturing an inclusive environment on and off the field.
MLS and adidas Launch 2025 United We Play Jersey to Celebrate Diversity and Implement Enhanced Hiring Policies
New York City — Major League Soccer (MLS) has partnered with adidas to introduce the 2025 United We Play pre-match jersey, a new kit aimed at highlighting the league’s diversity, while also announcing significant updates to its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) hiring policies. The initiatives reflect MLS’s ongoing commitment to fostering an inclusive environment both on and off the field.
Celebrating Diversity with the United We Play Top
The United We Play top is a specially designed jersey worn by teams during pre-match routines in upcoming MLS fixtures. It features vibrant colors and symbols that celebrate the league’s multicultural makeup, emphasizing that more than 80 countries are represented among MLS players and staff. The jersey’s launch aligns with MLS’s evolution into the world’s most diverse professional soccer league over its 30-year history.
Clubs such as the Portland Timbers and Philadelphia Union are among the teams promoting the new jersey, which is also available for purchase online and through various team stores, including the Philadelphia Union Shop. Fans interested in supporting the initiative can buy the jersey as a symbol of unity and inclusivity. The league has encouraged supporters to get their copies ahead of the 2025 schedule, which has recently been released, with matches scheduled across multiple venues including Subaru Park, ensuring fans can secure tickets for upcoming games.
Revised Diversity Hiring Policies to Enhance Inclusion
MLS also announced comprehensive updates to its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) hiring policies for sporting positions. The revised policy aims to strengthen the league’s commitment to increasing representation of underrepresented groups, primarily focusing on the coaching and technical staff. Central to this update is the enhancement of the league’s Rooney Rule—a policy originally designed to ensure minority candidates are considered for high-profile coaching roles.
Specifically, the new policy mandates that finalist pools for open technical positions must include at least two non-white candidates, with at least one being Black or African American. This marks a significant shift from previous standards, which only required consideration of a single diverse candidate. Teams will also be required to demonstrate that interview processes include candidates with comparable experience for all positions to ensure fairness and transparency.
Goals and Oversight of the New Policies
Execution of the updated policies will be monitored by MLS’s general counsel and DEI office, with input from league leadership. Teams found to be non-compliant could face sanctions, including fines of up to $50,000 for initial violations. In addition, MLS plans to launch a diversity policy portal that will require clubs to submit detailed information regarding current and upcoming technical vacancies, as well as candidate pools and interview processes.
The league’s approach reflects an overall effort to broadening the definition of underrepresented groups, encompassing various racial, ethnic, and gender identities. However, some experts have criticized the decision to merge Hispanic and Latinx categories into one group, viewing it as a dilution of the policy’s intent to address specific diversity needs.
Evaluation of the policy’s effectiveness will be conducted annually, with adjustments made based on data collected from interviews, hiring, and overall representation within MLS teams. This ongoing review aims to ensure that the league remains committed to creating a more inclusive environment, both on the field with the combined efforts of the jersey initiative and off the field through more equitable hiring practices.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Portland Timbers News
- Philadelphia Union News
- MLS Soccer News
- ESPN Soccer Article
- CNBC News Article
- Wikipedia: Major League Soccer
- Google Search: Major League Soccer Diversity Policy
- Google Scholar: Diversity in Sports
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Major League Soccer
- Google News: Major League Soccer
Author: STAFF HERE VIRGINIA BEACH WRITER
VIRGINIA BEACH STAFF WRITER The VIRGINIA BEACH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREVirginiaBeach.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach City, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival, East Coast Surfing Championship, and the American Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Virginia Beach Chamber of Commerce and Visit Virginia Beach, plus leading businesses in tourism and defense that power the local economy such as the Virginia Beach Convention Center and Northrop Grumman. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Virginia's dynamic landscape.
