John Riordan: US soccer teams show unity in a time of hurt 

Washington Spirit and NJ/NY Gotham FC players meet at midfield during the sixth minute in solidarity following allegations of abuse in the National Women’s Soccer League. Picture: Mitchell Leff

It had taken six years for Mana Shim and Sinead Farrelly to make public the alleged abuse they suffered at the hands of their former professional soccer coach, Paul Riley.

So after six minutes of each of the three National Women’s Soccer League games slated to take place on Wednesday evening across the United States, the players and staff of all six teams gathered in a unified circle at the halfway line.