Orlando City SC on Saturday will return to the pitch at Camping World Stadium against the Earthquakes despite Sunday morning's "horrific mass shooting," according to Mike Bianchi of the ORLANDO SENTINEL. Canceling the game, "although a consideration, would have done nothing except to keep tens of thousands of Orlandoans sitting home this weekend," reliving a "civic nightmare." OCSC Founder & President Phil Rawlins said, "My gut reaction is that we need a game; we need to come together. It seems a bit pointless to be preparing for a soccer game on Saturday, but we have to do that because it's part of what we do. Sports bring people together and we want to use the game as part of the healing process for everyone -- including ourselves." Magic CEO Alex Martins: "As sports organizations, we have the opportunity and the forum to help our community heal. We will use our podium to help raise funds for those who have been personally impacted." Bianchi notes sports "are so important because they are so unimportant." Bianchi: "In times of death and despair, we need distractions and diversions" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 6/14).
