MIAMI _ Inter Miami, fired up to play Atlanta United at home Wednesday night after its historic first win, will have to wait.
Minutes before kickoff, after both teams had warmed up, the game was called off as part of the Black Lives Matter protest that postponed NBA, WNBA and MLB games. The game boycotts were done in wake of the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wis.
Both teams were a bit late getting to the field for pre-game warmups, leading to talk that they were considering not going ahead with the game. But they warmed up, went to change into uniforms, and it appeared they might play. Inter Miami players came back onto the field, while Atlanta players awaited word in their locker room.
Inter Miami captain and goalkeeper Luis Robles, who is on the executive board of the MLS Players Association, conferred with Atlanta captain and goalkeeper Brad Guzan, made a phone call, and the decision was made around 8:30 p.m. to postpone the game.
There is no word yet on when the game will be replayed.
"Black Players for Change asked us not to play," Inter Miami player AJ De La Garza told the CBS sideline reporter, referring to the newly formed MLS Black players association. "Athletes have a huge platform right now and we have to use it."
MLS released a statement just before kickoff that read: "The entire Major League Soccer family is deeply saddened and horrified by the senseless shooting of Jacob Blake and events in Kenosha. We continue to stand with the Black community throughout our country _ including our players and employees _ and share in their pain, anger and frustration.
"The entire Major League Soccer family unequivocally condemns racism and has always stood for equality, but we need to do more to take tangible steps to impact change. We will continue to work with our players, our clubs and the broader soccer community to harness our collective power to fight for equality and social justice."
There were six MLS games scheduled for Wednesday night. Orlando vs. Nashville went off as planned at 7:30 p.m. but four other games also were postponed.
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