The US Men’s National Soccer team is set to pay tribute to the 49 victims of the tragic 2016 Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando by donning special pride-themed jerseys during their upcoming friendly match against Brazil. This gesture comes on the eighth anniversary of the devastating event, which stands as one of the deadliest anti-gay hate crimes in the history of the United States.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer expressed the city’s commitment to inclusivity and acceptance, stating that ‘Orlando is a city that strives to be inclusive and welcoming to all people.’ The decision of US Soccer to commemorate and show support for the LGBTQ+ community resonates with the values of unity and diversity embraced by the city. The national team’s involvement with the Orlando community is highly appreciated, with anticipation building for what is expected to be a memorable occasion.

The tragic incident occurred on June 12, 2016, when Omar Mateen carried out a heinous attack at the nightclub, resulting in the loss of 49 lives and injuries to 53 others. At that time, it stood as the deadliest mass shooting in modern US history until the following year when a country music festival in Las Vegas witnessed an even greater loss of life. Mateen, who had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group, was neutralized by a SWAT team.

The forthcoming match, scheduled to be held at Orlando’s Camping World Stadium, holds significance as a crucial warmup for the US team ahead of the Copa America tournament this month. The team is recovering from a recent 5-1 defeat to Colombia and is gearing up for the upcoming challenges in the competition.

US captain Tyler Adams, a pivotal figure in the team, is expected to play a limited role in the friendly match following his recovery from a hamstring injury that sidelined him for a significant period. His return to the squad brings a boost as the team prepares for the Copa America, with Christian Pulisic and Tyler Adams leading the way in the team’s lineup.