Dynamo, Nationals Among Those Showing Support For Va Tech

MLS Dynamo To Wear Virginia Tech Colors For April 29 Game

The MLS Dynamo plan to turn their next home game, April 29 against FC Dallas, into a fundraiser to support Virginia Tech, after this week’s tragic events. The Dynamo, whose colors are orange, white and light blue, will wear maroon jerseys and orange shorts or socks for the game. adidas has already designed the jerseys, and MLS has approved them. The jerseys will be auctioned off afterwards, and proceeds will go to a yet-to-be-named charity at the school. The Dynamo also plan to create group ticket packages with an undetermined percentage of sales going to the charity. The team may invite members of the Virginia Tech men’s soccer team to the game as honorary captains, as well. “We’re going to reach out to the school when the time’s appropriate,” Dynamo COO Chris Canetti said. “It’s our little way of trying to help the community heal” (Tripp Mickle, SportsBusiness Journal).

MLB: The Nationals wore Virginia Tech hats during last night’s game beginning in the second inning. The idea came in an e-mail from a fan to President Stan Kasten, who “had club employees get permission from [MLB] while tracking down a sporting goods store in Alexandria that was willing to donate the caps.” Traffic “prevented the caps from making it to the ballpark in time for the first pitch” (WASHINGTON TIMES, 4/18). The Nationals, along with several other MLB teams, have observed moments of silence before games this week (THE DAILY). Angels P Joe Saunders, who played at Virginia Tech from ’99-’02, “plans to honor the victims” during his next start Friday against the Mariners. Saunders: “I was going to put a black V.T. on my hat, but I can’t do that. I’ll put a V.T. on my cleats and write Virginia Tech on the back of the mound” (L.A. TIMES, 4/18).