Major League Soccer issued a statement on Tuesday evening supporting its players’ right to protest during the playing of the national anthem:
The march of players, officials and children into our stadiums and singing of the anthem has been a pre-match tradition since our first game in 1996. The National Anthem provides our clubs and fans an important and time-honored opportunity to salute our country and stand up for its principles — whether in the United States or in Canada.
At the same time, freedom of speech — and the right to peaceful protest — are the hallmarks of both countries.