NASHVILLE, TN - During Nashville SC's 2-1 win over Charlotte FC last night, the Backline Supporters Collective led a show of support for La Brigada De Oro, an officially-recognized Latino supporters group who were largely absent from the match due to concerns over increasing ICE activity in Middle Tennessee.
Ben Wright
La Brigada cancelled their pre-match tailgates, with many in their group choosing not to attend the match entirely, citing safety concerns and worries of being targeted by law enforcement while traveling to and from the match.
Before the match, the Backline prominently displayed a banner with La Brigada's logo. During the first half, the Backline went silent for 10 minutes, displaying banners reading "we are not all here" in English and Spanish.
The Backline have begun 10 minutes of silence, and it's eerily quiet in here.
— Ben Wright (@benwright) May 11, 2025
Banners up in the supporters section, including one that says "We are not all here". pic.twitter.com/b9kAMpzNxO
When both banners were raised, stadium security entered the supporters section. Supporters say they demanded the banners be taken down, and the banners were only allowed to remain in place after a walkout was threatened.
At the Nashville SC game, a giant flag for La Brigada de Oro, the Latino supporters section, which is not here tonight due to ICE activity. NSC officials tried to remove it, but were met with vehement objections by supporters clubs, who threatened a giant walkout if they did.
— Steve Cavendish (@scavendish.bsky.social) 2025-05-11T00:41:13.269Z
After the match, Nashville SC sent members of the media the following statement:
“In accordance with Major League Soccer policy, all banners, signs, and flags in the supporter’s section are inspected to ensure they comply with league rules and regulations. The banners referenced were displayed in the section, inspected by venue security personnel, and permitted to remain in place.”
According to the league's fan code of conduct, there are strict prohibitions on the type of messaging allowed in the supporters section, or anywhere in the stadium. The league prohibits the following:
- Displaying signs, symbols or images for commercial purposes or for electioneering, campaigning or advocating for or against any candidate, political party, legislative issue, or government action
- Failing to follow requests from venue staff regarding stadium operations, policies and emergency response procedures
- Any behavior that otherwise targets other fans or interferes with other fans’ enjoyment of the game
