The San Diego Loyal, a team in the USL that’s coached by USMNT legend Landon Donovan, is in the middle of a playoff race.
But that didn’t matter to them when it came to fighting racism and homophobia that they’ve had to deal with in their past two games.
On Wednesday night, an opponent allegedly said a homophobic slur that was aimed at Loyal player Collin Martin, who is openly gay. Loyal players eventually decided to protest by walking off the field and forfeiting the match against the Phoenix Rising.
Cameras captured Donovan speaking about the incident with officials, along with Rising coach Rick Schantz, in which Donovan said, “We have to get this out of our game.”
The San Diego Loyal walked off the field in protest Wednesday night, saying a Phoenix Rising player used an anti-gay slur directed at openly-gay midfielder Collin Martin.
Manager Landon Donovan discussed the incident with the referee and Phoenix head coach Rick Schantz. pic.twitter.com/WlOYauQhgV
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 1, 2020
Donovan explained the players’ decision further:
Landon Donovan on why the team decided to forfeit tonight's match against Phoenix Rising FC. #SDvPHX pic.twitter.com/7BcqzZBSrV
— San Diego Loyal (@SanDiegoLoyal) October 1, 2020
“They were very clear in that moment that they were giving up all hopes of making the playoffs, even though they were beating one of the best teams in the league, handily. But they said that doesn’t matter. There’s things more important in life and we have to stick up for what we believe in. And so they made the decision to walk off.”
Both Schantz and the Rising released statements, with the team saying it was investigating the allegations, which a player denied:
— x-Phoenix Rising FC (@PHXRisingFC) October 1, 2020
@PHXRisingFC pic.twitter.com/IIzmNJ1pY7
— Rick Schantz (@RickSchantz1) October 1, 2020
The Loyal had just played in a game last week in which LA Galaxy II defender Omar Ontiveros used a racial slur aimed at a Loyal player.
The Loyal forfeited the point it got in the tie from that game, while Ontiveros was suspended by the league and cut from Galaxy II.
In the first half a member of Phoenix Rising used a homophobic slur directed at Collin Martin. In response we have decided to walk off the pitch in protest.
— San Diego Loyal (@SanDiegoLoyal) October 1, 2020
Last week we made it loud and clear that we do not stand for racism or homophobia. Nothing has changed this week. 🏳️🌈✊🏿 #AllBlackLivesMatter
— San Diego Loyal (@SanDiegoLoyal) October 1, 2020
We are loyal to our message, we are loyal to our players, we are loyal to our fans, and most importantly we are loyal to San Diego. #SDvPHX | #AllBlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/wXkv5O7qVr
— San Diego Loyal (@SanDiegoLoyal) October 1, 2020
