Orlando City SC’s game against the San Jose Earthquakes Saturday night marked the first major sporting event in “The City Beautiful” since the tragic, senseless loss of 49 lives inside a gay nightclub one week ago tonight.
The Major League Soccer club earlier in the week dedicated Saturday’s game to bringing the community together to support #OrlandoUnited efforts.“Our city has endured dark moments in the past couple of days following two horrific acts of violence, and we are looking forward to using the influence of our sports team to bring some positivity into people’s lives,” said Orlando City SC Founder and President Phil Rawlins. “We are in the midst of tirelessly working to create a memorable gameday experience to honor the memories of our brothers and sisters on Saturday.”
In a joint collaboration across sports teams in Central Florida, MLS’s Orlando City, NWSL’s Orlando Pride, NBA’s Orlando Magic, ECHL’s Orlando Solar Bears and AFL’s Orlando Predators are joining forces to sell #OrlandoUnited branded t-shirts with all net proceeds benefiting the City of Orlando’s OneOrlando Fund – OneOrlando.org. For more details on purchasing the t-shirts please visit here.
Prior to kickoff on Saturday, the two teams entered the field to “All You Need Is Love,” a timeless classic by The Beatles, rather than the traditional MLS anthem.
"All you need is love." #OrlandoUnited #ORLvSJ https://t.co/BDwDRh0f37
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 19, 2016
A beautiful moment of silence to honor the 49 victims of last weekend's tragedy. #OrlandoUnited pic.twitter.com/eeesUlQwqx
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) June 19, 2016
Today, the fans sang the National Anthem. We are truly #OrlandoUnited. https://t.co/XNR1gQDo6g
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) June 18, 2016
Saturday’s jerseys have been pressed.#OrlandoUnited pic.twitter.com/kJQ7vyMuES
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) June 17, 2016
50 seats were to be left empty for the game, replaced with balloons of the rainbow’s colors, honoring the 49 lives lost inside Pulse nightclub and Christina Grimmie, a 22-year-old singer shot and killed in Orlando a day earlier.
Honoring the 49 victims of the Pulse Shooting and Christina Grimmie.#OrlandoUnited pic.twitter.com/gJNBtcbUWu
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) June 18, 2016
Created these to help contribute anything I can to this heartless tragedy that took place #OrlandoStrong #NoMoteHate pic.twitter.com/VNRydYI6up
— Brek Shea (@BrekShea) June 18, 2016
Tonight's corner flags. #OrlandoUnited pic.twitter.com/ZpeziHQ5ZK
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) June 18, 2016
Various other teams and individuals across the sport in this country, certainly not limited to the ones seen below, paid tribute to the lives lost in a number of unique signs of solidarity.
Today, we stand with Orlando. @OrlandoCitySC, we are with you. #OrlandoUnited #VWFC pic.twitter.com/RWhJ7235gy
— Vancouver Whitecaps FC (@WhitecapsFC) June 18, 2016
Respect as always @SonsofBen! #OrlandoUnited pic.twitter.com/HRsNBACuJs
— Iron Lion Firm (@IronLionFirm) June 16, 2016
Sacramento stands with Orlando. #OrlandoUnited pic.twitter.com/Het14PpAVm
— Republic FC (@SacRepublicFC) June 19, 2016
The moment of silence in the 49th min of this Pride vs Spirit game was beautiful. #OrlandoUnited ❤️💛💚💙💜 pic.twitter.com/MQYuVhP0Cd
— Paige Zinaman (@immazinaman) June 19, 2016
Orlando City SC and the entire Orlando community have made all of us so very proud.
