On September 26, Daniela Silva was expelled from Austin FC’s match against San Diego FC for wearing a T-shirt that read “Abolish ICE.” Silva claims she received a one-year ban from Q2 Stadium, while Austin FC stated the ban was issued by the Austin Police Department and offered to rescind it, which Silva declined. This incident occurred during Austin FC's Hispanic Heritage Night, just six days after ICE agents shot a Venezuelan delivery driver, 28-year-old Wilber Garcés Pérez, in the city, leading to community protests.

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The club's Hispanic Heritage Night featured folk dances and showcased local nonprofits aiding the Hispanic community. Despite this celebration, a fan expressing a legitimate concern regarding the ongoing issues facing Hispanic communities was removed from the game. Austin FC cited a stadium policy aligned with Major League Soccer’s (MLS) fan code of conduct, which bans political messaging, campaigning, or advocacy. An MLS spokesperson clarified that while the league's policy does not cover clothing, the stadium policy does, which justified Silva’s removal.

In response, the Austin supporter groups Los Verdes and La Murga de Austin issued a joint statement expressing their concerns. They stated that opposition to ICE is a significant issue for many in their community, emphasizing the need for safety and dignity. Concerns were raised regarding whether fans felt welcomed or safe in returning to Q2 Stadium.

During Austin FC’s subsequent home game, a 4-1 loss to Nashville SC, La Murga de Austin protested Silva’s ejection, partially vacating their section while displaying a banner reading “NO ICE IN THIS MELTING POT.” They urged Austin FC to take a definitive stand against ICE’s actions, saying, “We love this club. But love is not silent.”

The club has indicated it is engaging with supporters about political messaging rules, but critics argue these rules are unjustifiable and may be untenable.

This incident is not isolated in MLS. In 2015, the league ordered the removal of “Refugees welcome” banners at Toronto FC matches. A ban on the Iron Front symbol, historically used by anti-Nazi paramilitaries and later by anti-fascist activists, was reversed in 2019 after backlash. Similarly, last year a man was ejected from St. Louis City’s stadium for wearing a Make America Great Again hat.

After the Israel-Hamas conflict intensified, MLS banned both Israeli and Palestinian flags, a decision it termed temporary but that remains in effect while permitting a specific exemption for Columbus Crew fans. This inconsistency raises questions about the policies that govern political messages at games.

The struggle to keep political speech out of stadiums is complicated and often inconsistent. Many fans in American soccer are politically engaged, making attempts at neutrality seem unrealistic. The notion that sports can remain apolitical is increasingly viewed as a fantasy.

Critics suggest that by banning mainstream political messages, MLS only draws more attention to these issues, undermining its relationship with a progressive fanbase. The league risks alienating about 30% of its fans who may feel unwelcome or disillusioned by such policies. Leander Schaerlaeckens, the author of "The Long Game: US Men’s Soccer and Its Savage, Four-Decade Journey to the Top, or Thereabouts," teaches at Marist University.