The Houston Dynamo recognized the victims and survivors of the Santa Fe High School shooting during their match against New York City FC on Friday.
The shooting, which took place in the Houston area on May 18, claimed the lives of 10 people and injured 13 others. In an effort to offer support to the Santa Fe High School community, the Dynamo carried out several special events on the night.
Ahead of the match, Dynamo players wore "SANTA FE - WE WON'T FORGET" T-shirts during their processional walkout just prior to kickoff.
Pregame also included a moment of silence in honor of the victims of the attack, and players on both teams wore black armbands during the match in memoriam.
The teams joined to hold a "UNITED FOR SANTA FE" banner, which fans were encouraged to sign on the concourse during the match, with the team planning to deliver the banner to the high school in the future. The sideline was painted with "Santa Fe" and a ribbon in tribute to the community.
During the game, in the 10th minute the crowd observed another minute of silence and fans held their phones aloft in recognition of the victims who died in the shooting.
Some of the fans in attendance on the night were students and their families of SFHS, after Dynamo and Houston Dash players attended a private community event earlier in the week and handed out tickets, intended to give them a night to enjoy themselves amid the tragedy.
The community engagement is nothing new to the Dynamo and Dash organization. BBVA Compass Stadium was a key location for supply drops and pick-ups in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey last year, and the organization and MLS combined to donate $1 million in relief efforts as a result of the hurricane and subsequent flooding that impacted the greater Houston region. Former Dynamo player Stuart Holden also organized a charity match, played at BBVA Compass Stadium, to raise more money for community relief.
