A group of black players in MLS have united to form the Black Players Coalition of MLS, the newly-founded organization announced on Friday.
The organization's announcement coincides with Juneteenth, which commemorates the day on which Union forces in Texas delivered the news of the Emancipation Proclamation to the region, freeing the last group of slaves in the United States.
It also comes amid ongoing protests and unrest across the world, with the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis sparking wider discussions about the issues of race and police brutality in society.
Editors' Picks
With the formation of the organization, the Black Players Coalition will look to "address the racial inequalities in our league, stand with all those fighting racism in the world of soccer, and positively impact black communities across the United States and Canada.