West Wake News

The landscape of American soccer has evolved significantly over the past 15 years, with increased recognition and representation of Black players both on and off the field. Eboni Christmas, a long-time fan, observes this shift as a positive change. "It is kind of a dramatic change, but for the good. These players were already here, they just weren’t getting the recognition," she said.

This growing representation extends beyond the field. "As a Black fan, more Black players are being recognized and celebrated," Christmas noted. She is involved with supporter groups like the American Outlaws and North Carolina FC’s Oak City Supporters and highlights the importance of Black-centered groups such as Rose Room Collective in Washington, D.C., and Black Fires in Chicago.

Christmas emphasized the need for support for these groups: "They are popping up because more Black fans are getting into the sport... I want to see more support for them because it is hard to start and run one."

Anéssa Myers, a high school student and soccer player, also noticed changes since moving to Raleigh in 2021. "There just weren’t a ton on that National Team. It wasn’t very diverse," she said, stressing the importance of diversity in soccer.

Organizations like the Black Women’s Player Collective play a crucial role in this growth. Myers praised initiatives like those by NC Courage: "I think having organizations like the Black Women’s Player Collective is really important... Days like that are really important."

Black representation is also increasing in soccer media through outlets like Shea Butter FC, where both Christmas and Myers contribute. "We all see the game differently... Now that we have so many influential Black players showing up and performing well, it’s important to have those Black voices saying what we see," Christmas explained.

Shea Butter FC has grown since its inception in 2020 into an essential part of NWSL media. Christmas joined during 2022-2023 seasons and now holds a managerial role there.

The show has gained opportunities such as working at NWSL Skills Competition last year but still faces challenges typical for independent media outlets. "On the media side, I just want better access... That trust is very hard to get when you’re independent media," Christmas remarked.

In conclusion, representation should be celebrated as integral to soccer across all aspects of The Beautiful Game.