South Carolina Myrtle Beach Mutiny Shows Equality With Signing of Openly Gay Soccer Player

Could it be after so many years (forever) that being openly gay is nearly impossible in the world of professional sports, and almost unheard of in the South, that there are signs of further equality?

The Myrtle Beach Mutiny of the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) announced that they have signed international professional soccer player Anton Hysén for the 2014 season. He made history back in 2011 when he came out during an interview with Swedish soccer magazine Offside. At that time he was the second professional athlete on record to publicly come out. Though it was beginning to be seen by professionals nearing the end of their careers, or retiring, Hysén was the hot young player just beginning what was sure to be a great career in soccer. Clearly more interested in being himself, and not afraid of risks, he is flourishing both personally and professionally.

“I am excited to be joining the Mutiny this season,” said Hysén. “This is a great opportunity for me on a personal and professional level. I hope I can help take the team to the top of the NPSL.”

It’s refreshing to see an openly gay player as talented as Hysén being signed to a team in the United States, and simply exhilarating to see it taking place in the state of South Carolina. With South Carolina being perceived as a very close-minded and not necessarily the biggest advocates for the LGBT community, this could be the start to a very positive trend. A true class act on and off the field, Anton Hysén has the ability to easily attract a new generation of soccer fans, regardless of age, race, gender or sexual preference. Way to go South Carolina’s Myrtle Beach Mutiny!

The Player

An English born, Swedish soccer player, Hysén clearly has soccer running through his veins. His father, Glenn Hysén, is a former Liverpool defender and Swedish international with a successful career with the the Swedish U-17 National Team and Utsiktens BK and a training contract with BK Häcken of the Swedish top division. With older siblings to look up to while launching his own career, his older brothers, Tobias Hysén (half-brother) and Alexander Hysén, also play soccer.

For the past four seasons Anton Hysén has played for Utsiktens BK in Sweden’s third division, but with a focus on his dream of arriving to play the game he loves in the United States. Perhaps it’s his passion for the game together with his ability to take risks and have the public simply admire him for being an incredible player who is comfortable in his own skin both on and off the field that will be a much-needed change to the U.S. soccer scene.

“The Mutiny are very excited to have Anton joining us this year,” said Pat Piscitelli, sporting director for the Mutiny. “A player of his caliber, with his international experience, will bring a positive change to the Mutiny. The Myrtle Beach area is in for a real treat with this team and will have the opportunity to see professional soccer played at a very high level.”

The Team

An integral team within the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL), the Myrtle Beach Mutiny team already has an impressive international collection of players on the roster, where Hysén will surely be a great asset. The team is in the fourth division of the American soccer pyramid, on par with the USL Premier Development League, and eligible for US Open Cup competition.

With a fairly straightforward mission, the Mutiny aims to provide exceptional entertainment with a team of both local and international elite soccer stars. The Grand Strand Sports Club, LLC own the team with coaches Jack Vundum, Ross Morgan and Pat Piscitelli leading the development of these players.

“I am absolutely delighted to have Anton joining us this summer,” said Jack Vandum, head coach for the Mutiny. “Although he is still relatively young in age he will bring great experience to the team having played his soccer at a good professional level in Sweden.”

Fun Fact

Having a very strong fan base off the field, Anton Hysén is also widely known as the seventh champion of Sweden’s version of Dancing with the Stars. Coincidentally, his father is currently competing on the show – proving yet again the star power the Hysén family brings to the sport of soccer internationally.

via Business 2 Community http://ift.tt/1h4QVRj