U.S. national team stars Becky Sauerbrunn, Sydney Leroux and Megan Rapinoe were among several players who stayed in the locker room for the national anthem ahead of an NWSL match Sunday.
Joining the widespread NFL protests against racial inequality in the wake of criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump, nine players chose to sit out the national anthem before FC Kansas City's 1-0 away win over the Seattle Reign.
Kansas City's Sauerbrunn, Leroux, Yael Averbuch and Desiree Scott were joined in the protest by Seattle's Rapinoe, Lauren Barnes, Diana Matheson, Elli Reed and Madalyn Schiffel.