Soccer fans debate meaning of 'America First' on Royals team jersey; Gov. Cox weighs in

SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — Governor Spencer Cox spoke out against a group of soccer fans from Raleigh, North Carolina, who called out the Utah Royals team jersey.

The fans' concern is the name of the jersey’s sponsor—America First Credit Union—and what the phrase "America First" means politically across the country.

The debate surfaced the same night North Carolina Courage faced off against Utah Royals at the America First stadium.

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The group from North Carolina tied the term "America First" to politics. Fans of the Royals shared their opinion at the game.

“It’s the name of the field,” said Kim Mazza, a soccer fan.

“I understand where they’re coming from,” said Michael Brown, a soccer fan.

Soccer fans are reacting to a group reaction to the Utah Royals jersey.

On X, formerly known as Twitter, the Uproar, a group states — "the front of the jersey print that reads 'America First,' one of the teams' sponsors, comes with a long history rooted in racism, fascism, and hateful ideology."

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"I hope that they realize that that’s not what Real Salt Lake, the Utah Royals, and Real Monarchs stand for—any of that is what people connote American first and the eagle for,” Brown said.

In a statement, America First said, in part, “Its name and history are rooted in the credit union’s initial connection with the United States government, serving civilian federal employees working at American military bases... Never losing sight of their founding principle of 'people helping people.'"

"It never came across to me as something that could come across the wrong way, but I can totally see that someone from not around here might take it the wrong way,” said Kelly Esparza, a soccer fan.

Even Governor Spencer Cox reacted to the post. Cox states:

“Just when you think this website can’t get any more ridiculous, I had to double-check if this was a parody account.”

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"I don’t think anyone from out of state is wrong in their opinion about it. I just think they’re just misinformed,” said Kelly Esparza, a soccer fan.

"I am a person who was born and raised in Utah. I know America first as the credit union that has been around for years; that’s where I bank,” said Brown.

America First is also closely tied to real Salt Lake, buying the naming rights to the stadium in 2022.

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