On Saturday night Orlando's MLS team, Orlando City SC, played the San Jose Earthquakes to mark the first major sporting event in the city since last week's nightclub shooting that killed 49 people and injured 53 others. Before the game began, there was an emotional pregame ceremony organized by the home team:
Additionally, the game was paused at the 49th minute during the second half for a moment of silence to pay tribute to the victims:
Both squads also showed support through uniform tweaks, with the Orlando City players wearing #OrlandoUnited patches on their jerseys along with rainbow-colored wristbands, while the San Jose team sported Orlando Pride patches and black armbands. Orlando City's Brek Shea also created these rainbow-colored cleats (though he didn't wear them):
Orlando City defender Seb Hines waved his rainbow wristband to the crowd after scoring the game's first goal. Afterward he commented on the moment, saying, "It was more than just a game out there tonight. It was the togetherness of the city and around the world. Everyone is united. I was just putting that out there for everyone to see."
The jerseys worn by the Orlando City players will be put up for auction, and the winning bids will be directed to the OneOrlando fund for families and survivors of the massacre.
Over 37,000 people turned out for the match. Less than 100 miles away, the Tampa Bay Rays held an "Orlando Pride" night, which brought out the team's largest turnout in a decade.
