Ertz, Short expand on viral moment

Chicago Red Stars teammates Julie Ertz and Casey Short say hard conversations over the past several weeks led to their vulnerability in the moment they shared an emotional embrace while they knelt during the national anthem as the NWSL opened its season.

Short sobbed as she was held by Ertz, a Santa Clara alum, before Chicago’s match against the Washington Spirit on Saturday night, the second game of the National Women’s Soccer League tournament in Herriman, Utah. The image went viral.

“Currently, every time the national anthem is played, our country continues to become more and more divided on what the visual symbol of unity looks like,” Short and Ertz said in a joint statement they released Tuesday. “That moment during the anthem was difficult, very difficult. We are still searching but we are humbled by the outpouring of support.” Colleges: Cal confirmed to Sports Illustrated’s Cal Sports Report that three studentathletes had tested positive for the coronavirus after returning to campus for voluntary workouts. One has returned to his home outside the Bay Area. The athletic department said it tested 96 studentathletes, mostly football players. NBA: The Denver Nuggets say they’ve closed their facilities after two members of the team’s traveling party tested positive for the coronavirus over the weekend. A third tested positive this week . ... Pelicans general manager David Griffin said three New Orleans players have tested positive.