• by Tanya Gazdik , July 28, 2023

U.S. Soccer, with support from Volkswagen, is partnering with the You Can Play Project to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. 

The effort is part of its “One Nation” social responsibility platform to promote diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.

The You Can Play Project is an organization dedicated to ensuring equality, respect and safety for all athletes, coaches and fans no matter their sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

Volkswagen and U.S. Soccer have collaborated with You Can Play to auction off special edition Women’s and Men’s National Team jerseys with rainbow-colored numbers inspired by Pride, with all proceeds going to You Can Play.

Fans can bid at ussoccer.com/youcanplay through Aug. 4. 

The auction contributes to and highlights the LGBTQ+ community beyond Pride month celebrations in June. 

Last year, the campaign raised more than $92,000 -- an  amount that beat the previous record of $85,000 set in 2021. 

Additionally, Volkswagen has provided four official apparel items for auction featuring the VW Pride logo, signed by USWNT players Ashley Hatch, Andi Sullivan and Alyssa Thompson as well as USMNT legend Landon Donovan.

VW frequently launches efforts tied to its U.S. Soccer sponsorship. Most recently, the automaker launched a “We Believe” campaign in support of the U.S. Soccer Women’s National Team.