In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the first black soccer players to play in the MLS, and the efforts made by MLS officials and supporters to increase diversity in the league. From the early contributions of African American players to the efforts of today’s players to promote social justice and equality, soccer has always been a melting pot of cultures, and a sport that is available to everyone.
Early Diversity in American Soccer
While soccer has only recently gained widespread popularity in the USA, its roots in the country go back well over a century. In the early years of American soccer, the sport was primarily played by immigrants who had come to the USA from other countries where soccer was already established. This diversity in the origins of the game helped to shape the sport and paved the way for greater diversity in the years that followed.
Several notable African American players made significant contributions to the sport early on. One of the most significant was Arthur Wharton, who is often considered to be the first black professional soccer player in the world. Wharton was born in Ghana in 1865 and moved to England in 1882, where he quickly gained a reputation as a talented goalkeeper. Wharton played for several English clubs throughout his career, and his skill and athleticism helped to break down racial barriers in the sport.
Another notable African American player from this era was Joe Gaetjens, who scored the winning goal for the USA in their historic upset victory over England in the 1950 FIFA World Cup. Gaetjens, who was born in Haiti and grew up in New York City, was a standout player for the Brookhattan club in the American Soccer League, one of the top leagues in the USA at the time. Gaetjens’ goal against England helped to put American soccer on the map and showcased the diversity of talent that existed in the sport.
Despite the contributions of these and other African American players, soccer remained largely segregated and dominated by white players well into the 20th century. It wasn’t until the formation of Major League Soccer (MLS) in 1993 that significant progress was made in increasing diversity.
The MLS Era Begins
The founding of MLS marked a turning point for soccer in the USA. The league was established as part of the country’s bid to host the 1994 Olympics, but they hoped to create a professional soccer league that could compete with other sports in the American market.
In its early years, the MLS struggled to attract fans and sponsors, and the league’s lack of diversity was a notable issue. While there were a few African American players in the league, they were a small minority, and the majority of players were white.
In response to this lack of diversity, MLS officials and supporters began to take steps to increase diversity in the league. One of the key initiatives was the creation of the MLS Diversity Committee, which was established in 2007 with the goal of promoting diversity and inclusion.
The Diversity Committee launched a number of initiatives, including the establishment of a mentorship program for minority coaches and referees, and the creation of the MLS Combine Diversity Showcase, which provides opportunities for minority players to showcase their skills to MLS teams.
In addition to these efforts, the MLS has also taken steps to promote diversity and inclusion in its marketing and branding. The league has partnered with organizations such as the You Can Play Project, which works to promote LGBTQ+ inclusion in sports, and the Kick In For Houston initiative, which supports hurricane relief efforts in Houston.
While there is still work to be done to increase diversity in the MLS, these efforts have helped to make the league more inclusive and welcoming to players and fans of all backgrounds.
The Inaugural Season
The first black soccer player to play in the MLS is difficult to pinpoint exactly, because there were several black players who took part in the inaugural 1996 season.
However, here are all of the teams that took part in the first ever MLS season, with the names of their black players alongside.
- Colorado Rapids – Denis Hamlett, Brian Bates, Shaun Bartlett, Jean Harbour
- Columbus Crew – Bo Oshoniyi, Obi Monome, Doctor Khumalo, Ricci Greenwood, Mac Cozier, Paul Young
- DC United – Clint Peay, Eddie Pope, Tony Sanneh
- Dallas Burn – Dante Washington, Brian Haynes
- Kansas City Wiz – Samuel Ekemé, Uche Okafor, Yari Allnutt, Paul Wright, Vitalis Takawira
- LA Galaxy – Robin Fraser, Cobi Jones, Manny Motajo
- New England Revoution – Francis Okaroh, John DeBrito, Wélton, Patrick Tardieu
- NY/NJ MetroStars – Rob Johnson
- San Jose Clash – Michael Emenalo, Ben Iroha, Altimont Butler
- Tampa Bay Mutiny – Mike Duhaney, Evans Wise, Roy Lassiter, Musa Shannon
You could say that these were the first black MLS players, and as you can see, it was already fairly diverse right from the off. In 1996, about 13% of the population was black, and if the average squad had 27 players (some had fewer), it would take 3.5 players to be black for that team to be representative of the country as a whole.
Looking above you can see that most teams had at least 3 black players if not more. It’s hard to find concrete information about the very first MLS teams, so there may well be black fringe players that are not on this list too.
In trying to work out which of these was the first player to take part in an MLS game, let’s take things further.
We know that the first game ever played in MLS history was on the 6th of April 1996, between San Jose Clash and DC United. Technically then, the first black soccer player to play soccer in the league will have been one of the men from these teams. DC didn’t field any black players that day, but San Jose Clash had both Michael Emenalo and Ben Iroha in the starting line up.
This would make them the first black soccer players in MLS history.
The Legacy of Diversity in the MLS
Today, the MLS is one of the most diverse professional sports leagues in the USA. In addition to African American players, the league also includes many players of Latino, Asian, and other ethnic backgrounds.
The MLS has also taken steps to promote diversity in coaching and leadership positions. In 2020, the league launched the Black Players for Change initiative, which aims to address racial inequality in soccer and society more broadly. The initiative is led by a group of black players in the MLS, who are working to promote racial equality and social justice both within and outside of the league.
The efforts to increase diversity in the MLS have had a positive impact on the league and on American soccer more broadly. By promoting inclusion and providing opportunities for players of all backgrounds, the MLS has helped to make soccer a more accessible and welcoming sport for fans and players alike.