Skip to content

Orlando City produces multiple tributes for victims of mass shooting

Alex Menendez / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Orlando City SC led Major League Soccer's outpouring of support for the victims of last week's horrific mass shooting at an LGBT club in the city, dedicating Saturday's match to the 49 people who were murdered.

The contest against the San Jose Earthquakes at the Citrus Bowl was the city's first major sporting event since the shooting, which was the deadliest by a lone gunman in U.S. history.

MLS, returning from its international break, released a video early in the day in solidarity with Orlando, with the league adopting the hashtag "Orlando United."

Ahead of kickoff, both officials and players came out of the tunnel donning T-shirts with a rainbow heart, while Orlando's kit for the match also featured a commemorative patch to honor the victims.

Related: Orlando City unveils commemorative kit for shooting victims

Related: Orlando City SC dedicates match to victims of mass shooting

First responders and support personnel were honored during a pregame ceremony, and 50 seats were blocked off and marked with balloons - 49 for those killed at the local club, and one for slain singer Christina Grimmie, who was fatally shot in Orlando last week while signing autographs after a performance.

The corner flags for Saturday's match were rainbow-colored, while away from the pitch, Orlando donated $100,000 to the OneOrlando Fund.

(Courtesy: Orlando City)

Other teams across the league paid their respects as well on Saturday evening, with the likes of the Vancouver Whitecaps and Toronto FC offering various tributes.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox