When New York City FC coach Pascal Jansen was 14 years old, he took four, one-hour round-trip bus rides from Zaandam to Amsterdam, unbeknownst to his mother, to try out for the Ajax Youth Academy in 1987.

It wasn’t until Jansen was selected for the Under-14 team that he told his mother of his whereabouts. She didn’t flinch, but approved because Jansen’s dedicated work ethic to his passion was akin to hers.

10 youngest to debut in MLS, six are Black, including four in the top 5. Hall is third on that list, accompanied by Adu, Alphonso Davies, Axel Kei, Matai Akinmboni and Nimfasha Berchimas. 

COS founder and program director Shawn Williams collaborated with his four-person staff to create the Opportunity Cup — a five-day Black soccer festival to build opportunity equity for Black boys and girls.

Black Players for Change, Black Women’s Player Collective, and Mikyle Covington received the 2024 Briana Scurry Ally Award which is presented each year to an athlete or ally who helps drive positive social change by leveraging their platform as a force for good in support of under-resourced and marginalized communities.

'The headwinds are real' - Black Players for Change has made a tangible impact on Major League Soccer, and the non-profit intends to keep fighting for equality through sports

Black Players for Change is proud to announce the launch of the 2025 MLS Hometown Heroes Showcase presented by RBC Wealth Management, a celebration of the unsung heroes making a real difference in the Austin community. 

BPC and the San Jose Earthquakes focuses on leveling the playing field for aspiring Black coaches to create a more inclusive and equitable coaching landscape.

Tacoma Defiance head coach Hervé Diese sees Wilfried Nancy as the standard for coaching success in MLS — winning MLS Cup, Coach of the Year and on the trajectory to reach higher heights.

Black Players for Change and Black Star have joined forces to leverage their collective strength and resources to focus on removing barriers to entry for young Black players.

Executive Director Allen Hopkins Jr. joins Morning Footy to discuss BPC, the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., which players come to mind when thinking of his values, and discussing the importance of his teachings as we look forward towards the future.