Reggie Cannon said it was “absolutely disgusting” that some fans captivated FC Dallas and Nashville SC players who knelt down while playing the national anthem before Wednesday’s MLS game at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.
The Dallas players’ demonstration came amid a nationwide movement for racial justice, which has brought MLS players to the forefront with the recently formed Black Players for Change.
“I think it was disgusting. I think it was absolutely disgusting,” Cannon said in a strong reaction to the game. “You have fans cheering for people who take a stand for what they believe in. Millions of other people support this cause and we have discussed with each other team and the league what we will do and we have fans who boo us “own shame. How shameful is that? Honestly, for lack of a better word, it pissed me off. … You can not even have the support of your own fans in your own stadium. It baffles me.”
The American international said that the Dallas players’ plan to kneel was communicated to Nashville and the league and that they would have nodded whether the national anthem was played or not, adding that he had asked the national anthem not to be played . MLS Commissioner Don Garber stated during a media call on Saturday that the national anthem would be played if fans were present as part of the pre-game ceremonies, but, as in the MLS’s Back Tournament, it would not be played as supporters were not present.
All players kneel before the kick-off of games during the recent tournament in Orlando and MLS has continued to support the right of players to protest peacefully while playing the national anthem.
The reaction from some fans was particularly exciting, Cannon explained, given that the club played its first game since March after withdrawing from the MLS’s Back Tournament when a number of players tested positive for COVID-19.
“As a team, we strive to provide the best possible product in that field and these last six months have been absolute hell for us,” he said. “And the opportunity presented itself to play last night and unfortunately we are crazy and angry for not getting the win, but I was pissed. Everyone around me was pissed.
“Ryan Hollingshead, the first thing he said to me after we got up from the knee, he said ‘I’m sorry.’ I’m sorry for our fans because we had someone sing ‘USA’ when they do not understand what keeling means, they do not understand why we kneel, they can not see the reason, they just think we are the ignorant and it is incredibly frustrating.And I’m sorry that this tone has, but you have to call it for what it is.I know even when we decided to kneel, I knew it was going to happen.That you need to tell me something, I knew we were going to have some negative pushback from a uniform response about what was happening.That’s the problem , that’s a problem. “
Ahead of the MLS ‘first game back-to-back tournament last month, more than 170 of the league’s Blacks raised a fist in unison to protest racial injustice. And Cannon reiterated that the uniform response will continue.
“It hurts me because I love our fans. I love this club and I want to see the support the league has given us, that everyone has given us from our fans,” he said. “I love the people who came out last night, but as soon as I heard that boo I tried to play and I knew what to expect. We will take it one day at a time and again we are united in this answer and everyone stands together, black, white, orange, everyone stands together here. “
There were 2,912 fans present at Toyota Stadium following strict social distance rules in the first MLS game with fans since the COVID-19 induced suspension on March 12th. FC Dallas had a limited capacity for the game according to a plan and protocol made with the guidance of medical experts and approved by local officials. It was also required to comply with CDC guidelines and follow MLS protocols developed in consultation with infectious disease specialists.
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