U.S. Soccer Player Collin Martin Finally Got His Moment On The Field After Coming Out

Two days before his club's "pride night" game, U.S. soccer player Collin Martin came out as gay to the public. During the game, though, he was benched on the substitution list and didn't play at all. The move by the Minnesota United coaches didn't sit well with fans that were hoping to see the first openly gay major league athlete play in a game that was clearly meant to show support for the LGBTQ+ community.

Prior to the game, Martin had shared his excitement in a tweet:

Tonight my team, @MNUFC , is having their Pride night. It's an important night for me — I'll be announcing that I am an openly gay player in Major League Soccer. #soccerforall pic.twitter.com/cOJQXfrBiv

— Collin Martin (@martcw12) June 29, 2018

During the team's next match against Toronto F.C., Martin finally got his chance (and a standing ovation to go with it) when he was finally put in the game.

The crowd at Minnesota United’s temporary home, the TFC Bank Stadium, cheered with approval to see the 23 year-old soccer star finally get his moment.

’Wednesday night, Minnesota United FC midfielder Collin Martin returned to the field after being an unused sub last week. And the crowd was right there with him’, Major soccer league website MLSSoccer.com reported.

In the end, Minnesota United beat Toronto F.C. 4-3, making Martin's first game play as an out gay athlete even more memorable.