'We need change': Sarah Lowdon calls for action, will dedicate Sunday's match to Uvalde

It has been anything but a normal week in Texas or in the U.S. for the matter. In light of Tuesday's mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, which came just days after a similarly harrowing incident in Buffalo, New York, the nation has been rocked. 

Like in so many aspects of life these past few days, soccer has felt unimportant. In response to the shootings, Sarah Lowdon, the acting head coach of the Houston Dash, used her weekly media availability to discuss the mass shootings rather than talk about soccer. 

"I would just like to use this opportunity to avoid talking about soccer, which to be fair is pretty irrelevant with the horrific event that unfolded at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde this week, as well as the tragic events in Buffalo." Lowdon said in her opening remarks.

"This is a unique situation that I am in, that was obviously unexpected a few weeks ago. And so I would like to use the platform that I've been given and speak up. We need change. And we have needed it for a long time."

Lowdon only took over the position of acting head coach of the Dash on April 27, following James Clarkson's suspension. Originally from Newcastle in England, she is now a dual-citizen of both the United Kingdom and the United States. She has called the U.S. home since 2009. 

Directing her words at the media, Lowdon gave a heartfelt explanation about how her love for "one of the greatest countries on Earth" doesn't take away from her disbelief in how these atrocities continue to frequently happen in the U.S.

For Lowdon, the time passed some time ago for just words. It is now the time for action. 

"Something can be done. And the leaders of this country have to act. Leadership is about influence. It's not about power. And leading through power is clearly not working. So we are failing as a country, and we are living in a country where you can't even go to the store for milk and not feel safe," said Lowdon. 

"Do I have all the answers? I do not. I don't even have all the answers as a coach. So clearly, I'm not going to have all the answers in this situation. But I can't even begin to imagine the pain families are going through [in] Uvalde and Buffalo, and the 200-plus mass shootings that have occurred in the USA in 2022 — just this year. So to me, my challenge to the leaders of America is be brave. Change is hard, there is no doubt. But be courageous enough to enact the change that we need in this country."

Lowdon is also married to someone who works in education, which added to her fears and frustrations. She highlighted how the relatable and reoccurring nature of mass shootings in the U.S. increases the terror. 

"We're having school kids and teachers that go to school that aren't feeling safe. And I am married to a school administrator who trains for these situations, who deals with threats of violence often, and it is scary. It is scary.

"And I'm sure there are people who are on this call right now. Or people who listen. And there's people in this club — players that have family that are teachers or nieces and nephews or children that are in school. And it's scary for everybody. Everybody can relate. And it's just mind-blowing that these are the times that we're living in."

Houston defender Katie Naughton, also speaking to the media via video call, shared Lowdon's feelings about the irrelevance of soccer this week.

"It is really hard to focus on soccer." said Naughton. "Obviously, it has been a really difficult few days, especially being in Texas. It puts everything in perspective. it makes you really take a hard look at what matters. How horrific that was. It's really heartbreaking to see it in the news once again. When something like that happens in our country, and in our state. It shocked everyone again. It's unacceptable. Enough is enough."

The Dash have teamed up with brother club Houston Dynamo as well as FC Dallas and Austin FC to honor the victims of the Uvalde shooting this weekend. All four clubs will wear a special patch featuring the state of Texas and the Uvalde zip code. The jerseys from all four teams will then be auctioned off and the proceeds will be donated to the families of the Robb Elementary shooting. 

United for Uvalde: Texas MLS and NWSL clubs come together to help Robb Elementary shooting victims

"We all have to ask ourselves some questions of how we can make our own change. I know we've had people in the club that have donated blood, donated money. I think it's time for action instead of just thoughts and prayers because that just seems like it's kind of a normal thing now," Lowdon said.

As well as praising the four Texas clubs' initiative to raise money for the victims of the Uvalde shooting, Naughton also spoke on how the Dash players have needed time and space to process the events. 

"The club has done a really great job, to take the time, take the space. If players are feeling a certain type of way. It's been a hard week, we're trying to focus on the things that we can control. Soccer can be that escape. It's a way to put the real world at bay. It will be really powerful to wear that patch on Sunday."

Houston will dedicate this Sunday's match against the North Carolina Courage to those affected by the Uvalde shooting. The match will be the Texas club's first at home since May 1, which was also Lowdon's first as the acting head coach.

"We coach as a staff for Uvalde, and we play as team for Uvalde."

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