On June 29th, 2019, Reign FC made history when Bethany Balcer and Jess Fishlock became the first openly gay couple to play in a professional soccer match. The match, which was held at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois, saw Reign FC take on the Chicago Red Stars.
Bethany Balcer is a 22-year-old forward from Portage, Michigan. She was a standout player at Spring Arbor University, where she was the first player in school history to be named the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) National Player of the Year. She was also the first player in school history to be named a First Team All-American.
Jess Fishlock is a 33-year-old midfielder from Cardiff, Wales. She has been playing professionally since 2005 and has played for clubs in the United States, Australia, Germany, England, and Wales. She has also represented Wales at the international level, making her debut in 2008.
The match between Reign FC and the Chicago Red Stars was an important milestone for both players. It was the first time that two openly gay players had ever taken the field together in a professional match. It was also the first time that two openly gay players had ever played against each other in a professional match.
The match ended in a 1-1 draw, with Balcer scoring Reign FC’s only goal. Both players were praised for their performance, with Balcer being named the Player of the Match.
The match between Reign FC and the Chicago Red Stars was an important moment for both players and for the sport of soccer as a whole. It showed that professional soccer is becoming more inclusive and accepting of all players regardless of their sexual orientation. It also showed that openly gay players can compete at the highest level and be successful.
Bethany Balcer and Jess Fishlock have made history and are paving the way for other openly gay players to follow in their footsteps. They have shown that it is possible to be successful both on and off the field regardless of sexual orientation. Their performance in this match will serve as an inspiration to many people around the world and will help to create a more inclusive and accepting environment in professional soccer.
