Minnesota United FC's Collin Martin publicly comes out as gay

Minnesota United FC midfielder Collin Martin publicly announced that he's gay ahead of his team's Pride night Friday.

The 23-year-old says he's been out for years to family and friends, including his teammates. He spent four seasons with D.C. United before coming to Minnesota in 2017.

A statement on his Twitter read in part: "It's an important night for me - I'll be announcing for the first time publicly that I am an openly gay player in Major League Soccer.

"I have been out as gay for many years to my family and friends, and this includes my teammates. ...

"I'm proud that my entire team and the management of Minnesota United know that I am gay. I have received only kindness and acceptance from everyone in Major League Soccer and that has made the decision to come out publicly that much easier.

"As we celebrate Pride night, I want to thank my teammates for their unconditional support for who I am. In light of my experience as a professional athlete, I want to take this moment to encourage others who play sports professionally or otherwise to have confidence that sport will welcome them wholeheartedly. June is Pride month, and I am proud to be playing for Pride, and to be playing as an out gay man."

Martin is the first male athlete from a major North American sports league to announce he's gay since Michael Sam revealed his sexuality ahead of the NFL draft in 2014.

Robbie Rogers, who played for the LA Galaxy and the U.S. national team before retiring in 2017, was the only other openly gay MLS player to compete in the league after he made his announcement in 2013.

Teammates Christian Ramirez and Eric Miller offered support after Martin's announcement.