Madison Shanley has been singing the nationwide anthem at Portland Timbers video games since 2009. She’s carried out the identical for the Portland Thorns because the staff’s inaugural season in 2013, estimating she’s sung the anthem at video games 15-20 occasions a season. However Sunday’s rendition previous to the matchup between the Timbers and the LA Galaxy was like no different efficiency.
Shanley, 27, wore a crimson shirt emblazoned with the phrases “You Knew,” and as a substitute of a run-of-the-mill anthem efficiency, it grew to become a day Shanley describes as full of confrontation, anxiousness and what she feels was the Timbers group’s try and silence her.
The phrase “You Knew” has change into a rallying cry for followers of each the Timbers and the NWSL’s Portland Thorns within the wake of two cases the place the Timbers/Thorns group was criticized for mishandling allegations that workers engaged within the abuse of ladies. Final September, The Athletic reported that Paul Riley, the supervisor of the Thorns in 2015, engaged within the sexual coercion of two gamers. After one of many gamers reported what happened to the Thorns entrance workplace, Riley’s contract wasn’t renewed, however the circumstances had been saved quiet, and he went on to teach elsewhere within the NWSL.
The phrases have gained growing resonance this yr after it emerged that in Could of 2021, then-Timbers midfielder Andy Polo was cited by the Washington County Sheriff’s Division “for harassment after grabbing” the wrist of his estranged spouse, Génessis Alarcón. The quotation is classed as a B misdemeanor, however the Timbers by no means reported the incident to MLS, as is required by the league’s structure. Polo was ultimately released by Portland, however that was solely after Alarcón had gone public along with her accusations. She later alleged that the Timbers tried to get her to drop the fees in alternate for monetary compensation. Neither Alarcón nor the Washington County District Lawyer’s workplace determined to pursue expenses in opposition to Polo, with the DA citing lack of proof, however the injury had been carried out.
The 2 incidents had change into private for Shanley provided that she is a survivor of sexual assault and home violence from an incident that happened in 2015.
“I have really strong feelings about perpetuation of behaviors and lack of consequences and accountability when it comes to inappropriate actions,” Shanley advised ESPN in reference to the 2 incidents involving the Portland group.
When the Riley incident was first reported final October, Shanley wore a black shirt with the “You Knew” phrase in white lettering to a Thorns recreation on Oct. 6, 2021, by which she carried out the anthem. “I got a little bit of involvement on social media, but just insane support from all over,” she stated. “But no backlash from the organization itself, which I was grateful for, but also prepared for.”
The Timbers’ subsequent dealing with of the Polo state of affairs hit nearer to dwelling and resonated with Shanley’s personal private expertise, one by which she went by means of the court docket system. “It causes you to relive the trauma of facing your abuser on a public level,” she stated. “I can’t even imagine the experience that someone goes through and then to continue seeing that person’s face and seeing that person you know, play the sport and not have the organization that they work for not make any statements in support of this person. It just all seems so difficult.”
MLS launched an investigation into the Timbers’ dealing with of Polo incident. The investigation was carried out by the agency Proskauer Rose, which has a longstanding enterprise relationship with MLS. The investigation’s report concluded that the Timbers didn’t induce or stress Alarcón to forego expenses in opposition to Polo, as she had alleged. This was even though a lawyer retained by the Timbers to characterize Polo, Christine Mascal, met with Alarcón, and based on an audio recording of the assembly not solely mentioned the quantity of monetary help from Polo to Alarcón and her kids, however Mascal stated she hoped Alarcón would not press expenses.
The investigation into the Timbers additionally concluded that the rationale the group didn’t report the Polo incident to the league was because of a lack of understanding of league guidelines and wasn’t meant as a cover-up. The league fined the Timbers $25,000.
Forward of Sunday’s recreation, Shanley ordered a brand new model of the “You Knew” shirt that was set to profit the Rose Haven Day Middle for girls and youngsters, and felt readability on what she wanted to do. “I received my shirt and I thought, ‘You know what? I need to wear this on the pitch.” However the response from the group was completely different. Shanley arrived at Windfall Park about an hour earlier than kickoff, the place she was greeted by employees. They requested how she was doing, and Shanley admitted she was feeling some anxiousness due to the shirt.
“Then it quickly escalated,” she stated. Shanley stated she was about 20 minutes away from performing when she obtained a frantic voicemail and texts from her father, Terry.
Terry Shanley and Timbers President of Business Mike Golub are associates from having served collectively on what was then referred to as the Oregon Sports activities Authority. Madison was advised by her father that Golub known as the carrying of the shirt “a middle finger to the organization.”
Madison recalled how her father expressed his concern and advised her that Golub was asking her to not put on the shirt. The stress, she felt, started to rise. “It hit me really hard, because I didn’t want to disappoint him,” she stated of her father. “I didn’t want to put him in a position where he was risking a relationship with Mike Golub and he had developed some friendship with him.” However Madison stated she was ready to maneuver ahead. Terry Shanley then relayed to Golub that his daughter is a grown lady and that if he wanted to talk to her, Golub ought to achieve this. “I don’t need to go through my dad to make a decision,” Madison Shanley stated with fun. She added, “It felt really backwards that they spoke to [my dad] before they spoke to me.”
Golub advised ESPN that he did not have Shanley’s quantity and figured her father was along with her on the stadium, as is often the case, which is why he selected to name him first.
Golub added, “When we learned just prior to the game that Madison, who’s a longtime on-field representative of the club, was intending to wear something that we perceived as inaccurate and harmful to the organization, we felt it was warranted to have a conversation with her and share our feelings. And subsequent to the conversation into her choosing to wear the shirt, she’s been invited back to sing for the Timbers and/or Thorns.”
That assembly with Golub happened about 10 minutes earlier than she was to carry out. Golub requested if she learn the outcomes of an investigation MLS had commissioned by way of the regulation agency Proskauer Rose. Had she listened to the recordings made by the sufferer of a gathering with Timbers representatives? Was she conscious of the initiatives the Timbers introduced within the investigation’s aftermath? She stated she was comfy with the quantity of data she had gathered, together with having learn MLS’s report, and listening to excerpts of the recordings.
“I was firm in my decision, and I told him that I was willing to risk my relationship with the organization, if that’s the consequence of my action,” she stated.
Golub then stated he want to meet along with her at a later time so the Timbers may current their aspect, which she accepted. She was in a position to carry out as scheduled, however the alternate left her with one overriding thought.
“If the organization were to apply the energy they’re using to silence their followers — including me — [to instead] hold people accountable, I think that would be the better option for the greater good,” she stated. “It seems that they’re applying a lot of energy to denying claims. It seems really counterintuitive that the organization put out their initiatives, which is clear about presenting an opportunity for people to use their voice and get their feedback, but when I use my platform, and try to give my feedback, I’m urged not to.
“It is a actually complicated message. It is counterintuitive to their initiatives that they are presenting to the general public.”
All of this did little to assist Shanley’s preparation. A tune she had carried out in public numerous occasions earlier than was fraught with anxiousness over making a public assertion and being confronted by Golub.
As she sang the anthem, Shanley stated she had problem retaining issues collectively.
“There were a couple moments where I almost lost it,” she stated. “And I just kept telling myself, ‘Madison, just get through this, 90 seconds, 90 seconds. It’s almost over. It’ll be okay. You’re fine.’ And then after I hit the last note, I walked off the field.” At which level, Shanley stated she burst into tears, and quite than keep to observe the sport, she left instantly. One of many Timbers ticket reps requested if she was coming again, however extra within the sense of whether or not or not she’d have to get again contained in the stadium that day. She stated she did not know if she could be again.
“It was kind of a bigger question than what he was asking,” she stated.
Shanley says she’s nonetheless within the staff’s rotation for anthem singers, one thing she’s “shocked” by. She is scheduled to carry out the anthem once more in two weeks.
“My plan was to continue wearing this shirt until real change is enacted. As long as I’m allowed on the pitch, and until real accountability is taken, I’ll be wearing this.”
When requested if she’s involved the Timbers will change their thoughts, she says, “I wouldn’t say I’m concerned. But if they have a change of heart, I’m prepared.”
