Real Salt Lake and Utah Royals FC Celebrate AANHPI Heritage Month
In celebration of Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month this May, Real Salt Lake (RSL) and Utah Royals FC emphasize the importance of diversity and inclusion both on and off the field. By honoring the contributions of AANHPI individuals, the clubs highlight their commitment to fostering a sense of belonging within their communities.
Current and former players, including RSL’s Tyler Wolff, Sam Junqua, and Nick Rimando, express pride in their mixed heritage. Junqua reflected, “I’m proud of my Japanese heritage,” underscoring the cultural significance of representation in soccer. Similarly, Wolff and Rimando share experiences of celebrating their Filipino heritage with family-centered traditions.
Utah Royals FC players, Mina Tanaka and Aria Nagai, bear their Japanese roots on the field and note that blending cultural styles enriches their soccer experience. Nagai acknowledges the challenges faced in youth soccer, but now embraces her identity, hoping to inspire younger generations to play confidently.
As AANHPI Heritage Month is commemorated, both clubs remain committed to celebrating diverse cultures and will host a match in August to honor the contributions of the AANHPI community in Utah. This initiative reinforces their pledges to promote unity and understanding among all cultural backgrounds.
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