Kamala Harris vs Donald Trump: Soccer stars get involved as MLS 'unites to vote'
A number of high-profile sports stars have backed their candidate in Tuesday's presidential election, with Major League Soccer encouraging fans to vote
Election day is finally here. On Tuesday, voters across the United States will be casting their votes to decide who will be the nation’s next president.
After months of campaigning, rallies and conventions, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump go head to head in a contest to decide which candidate will occupy the White House for the next four years.
As is always the case with US presidential elections, many celebrities have come out to endorse their preferred winner, with some of those even appearing alongside the candidates at rallies.
Current vice-president Harris has been backed by the likes of Taylor Swift, Jennifer Lopez, Bruce Springsteen and Alicia Keys. Trump, meanwhile, is supported by figures such as Elon Musk, Mel Gibson, Kanye West and Hulk Hogan.
Basketball stars LeBron James, Steph Curry and Caitlin Clark are all in the Kamala camp, while former NFL quarterback Brett Favre, ex-racing driver Danica Patrick and YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul are among those rooting for Team Trump. But what about football (or soccer, as it is referred to in the USA)?
Megan Rapinoe urges white women to vote for Kamala Harris
Former United States midfielder Megan Rapinoe revealed she would refuse to attend the White House while Donald Trump was the president if the USWNT won the 2019 World Cup.
In an interview with CNN, Rapinoe said Trump’s message was excluding people and also revealed her admiration for Democrat Senator Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. “Shout out to AOC,” she said. Trump responded by saying she should not “disrespect her country” and mocked the former Ballon d’Or winner for missing a penalty as the USWNT were knocked out of the 2023 World Cup.
Rapinoe did attend the White House to receive a Presidential Medal of Freedom in July 2022 and along with her international team-mates, met Kamala Harris for a conference call as part of the White House Equal Pay Day Summit.
Teaming up with Harris’ husband Doug Emhoff, Rapinoe wrote on Instagram: “I’m voting for Kamala Harris because I believe in the power of coalition building – it’s how we create lasting change. I have worked toward a goal through different approaches and perspectives, fighting to move forward and make progress for everyone is always worth it. Let’s unite for a better future.”
Speaking on the A Touch More podcast ahead of the election, Rapinoe said: “It is stressful. I am nervous but I also am hopeful. I believe in people and I certainly believe in women and I believe that people want better than the grim, dark, just violent reality that Donald Trump has very clearly laid out for us.” And she added: “I also think we have a really amazing opportunity to elect a Black woman in this country. And for me, that is really important.”
Alexi Lalas gets behind Donald Trump
With his long goatee beard and ginger hair, Alexi Lalas was an istantly recognisable figure in his playing days and the former defender has carved out a successful career as an executive and a media analyst since his retirement.
The former USMNT centre-back, who won 96 caps for his country, has been using his X (formerly Twitter) account to support Donald Trump in the lead-up to the election.
Lalas reposted old footage of Barack Obama discussing immigration in an attempt to discredit the former president and, by association, Kamala Harris.
Son of a Greek father and an American mother, Lalas has also spoken on social media about listening to Trump speak and praised the candidate’s selection of JD Vance as his running mate.
The 54-year-old even attended the Republican National Congress in July and gave an interview to Fox Sports from the event. In it, he said he wanted to “change the stereotype that exists when it comes to Republicans and certainly the right side of the political spectrum”. And he added: “I live in California, I work in soccer, I’m like a unicorn when it comes to politics out there and yet there are a lot of things that can unite us.”
MLS ‘unites to vote’ in league-wide initiative
Ahead of National Voter Registration Day in September, Major League Soccer re-launched an initiative leveraging enterprise-wide platforms to inspire fans and everyone across the MLS community to register to vote and participate in this year’s election.
In partnership with the Civic Alliance, MLS fans were encouraged to text MLSVOTES to 26797 to check their status, register to vote, sign up for election reminders, and educate themselves on the election process.
“One of the most important responsibilities we have as citizens is to engage in local and national elections,” Don Garber, Commissioner of Major League Soccer, said of the MLS Unites to Vote campaign.
“With the powerful platforms and resources of our League and Clubs, Major League Soccer recognises the importance of reminding everyone to check their status and inspiring MLS fans and the entire soccer community to register to vote.”
In addition to the resources and programming provided on MLS platforms and at stadiums on matchdays, a number of MLS clubs have hosted Voter Registration Drives at games, including LAFC, LA Galaxy, Houston Dynamo FC, Minnesota United FC, Philadelphia Union, San Jose Earthquakes, and Real Salt Lake. Some clubs will also have polling stations at their stadiums, including Charlotte FC, Inter Miami CF, Seattle Sounders FC and LA Galaxy.
This report includes information from Major League Soccer