The USMNT won off the field and off Thursday night. Leading the way was the team's captain, who wore a rainbow armband to honor the LGBT community and victims of the shootings in Orlando.
Typically, the colors of these armbands are unique to clubs and countries around the world. But Bradley's rainbow armband stood in contrast, and featured "ONE NATION" written on it.
— The American Outlaws (@AmericanOutlaws) June 17, 2016
Before the game, the USMNT also posted their own tribute video to the victims of the Orlando nightclub shooting. Although much of the sports world was fixated on the NBA Finals, the LGBT community gave an overwhelming ovation to Bradley's endeavors on social media.
Michael Bradley wearing a rainbow captain's armband to honor the victims of the Orlando LGBT club: Touching gesture. pic.twitter.com/mLV6qnAqcT
— Grant Wahl (@GrantWahl) June 17, 2016
#OrlandoUnited pic.twitter.com/g7St5w6H9X
— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) June 17, 2016
#OrlandoUnited pic.twitter.com/ajQt4CuR9J
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 17, 2016
I hope everyone gets how unthinkable this amazing sight was not long ago. Thank you Michael Bradley. #USMNT #LGBT pic.twitter.com/RjGEnBOLxj
— MassiveCityFFC (@MassiveCityFFC) June 17, 2016
Booya boys getting work done!Also a very touching moment pregame, Michael Bradley wearing a rainbow armband #orlando pic.twitter.com/BWVHQBKnqu
— Megan Rapinoe (@mPinoe) June 17, 2016
Mad respect to Michael Bradley pic.twitter.com/CYRtAk7G2j
— USWNT reactions (@USWNTreactions) June 17, 2016
Michael Bradley's Captain Armband
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) June 17, 2016
Michael Bradley's rainbow armband tho #USMNT pic.twitter.com/cWOBpjogcQ
— thrace (@thrace) June 17, 2016
Michael wearing the rainbow armband last night.. # #USMNT pic.twitter.com/a36BMcyhxC
— Robbie Rogers (@robbierogers) June 17, 2016
So Michael Bradley tonight... #LoveWins #USMNT #topclass take note @mls @gay4soccer #pride
— Scott Neu (@ScottN10) June 17, 2016
This. pic.twitter.com/OHLiNz9JJV
— Lori Lindsey (@LoriLindsey6) June 17, 2016
After tonight's win, he should wear it the rest of the Copa. https://t.co/cxTRoeS1KQ
— Kevin (kj) Joseph (@doughboy767) June 17, 2016
Awesome to see #USMNT Captain Michael Bradley's tribute to victims of the #Orlando shooting. #LGBT cc: @AthleteAlly pic.twitter.com/n8WYneSUIo
— Laura Clise (@lauraclise) June 17, 2016
"But how can athletes actually support the LGBT community?" "Just look at Michael Bradley right now"
— Kiernan Ambrose (@RainmakerBones) June 17, 2016
Pure class from Michael Bradley & @ussoccer to wear the rainbow armband as captain. #OrlandoUnited #LoveWins #USAvECU
— Matthew Doyle (@MLSAnalyst) June 17, 2016
Is it wrong to make Michael Bradley the background picture on my phone for awhile?
— gay4soccer (@gay4soccer) June 17, 2016
Michael Bradley having the rainbow captain band makes me so happy. #USMNT #LGBT
— CommandoBandit (@Champeyon) June 17, 2016
Happy to see Michael Bradley wearing rainbow Captain's armband for #USMNT. #USAvECU #WeStandWithOrlando #LGBT
— Ron Waxman (@RonWaxman) June 17, 2016
Obsessed with #USMNT captain Michael Bradley for wearing rainbow captain's armband for #Orlando. #LGBT pic.twitter.com/zhhZ2HXtlw
— Peter Ajemian (@PeterAjemian) June 17, 2016
ayy michael bradley wearing a lgbt captains armband thats dope #respect
— arnold (@ayanga13) June 17, 2016
Captain Michael Bradley of @OrlandoCitySC his captain’s rainbow armband in solidarity makes us proud of our football pic.twitter.com/iNJUg7Rmfk
— Philosophy Football (@Phil_Football) June 17, 2016
Michael Bradley wore a rainbow coloured captain's armband during the #CopaAmerica following the Orlando shootings. pic.twitter.com/jOwCACrvRI
— Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) June 17, 2016
Of course, it isn't everything, but Michael Bradley wearing a rainbow captain's armband makes me proud. It's a beautiful gesture.
— Miriti Murungi (@NutmegRadio) June 17, 2016
Class from Michael Bradley and @ussoccer with the rainbow armband on the captain
— SOCCER.COM (@soccerdotcom) June 17, 2016
Michael Bradley's rainbow armband
— Arielle Castillo (@ariellec) June 17, 2016
To top it off, the USMNT defeated Ecuador in Seattle, 2-1, to advance to the Copa America semifinals. Clint Dempsey and Gyasi Zardes had the goals for The Yanks. Bradley and the U.S. get the winner of Saturday's Argentina-Venezuela match in a Tuesday night showdown in Houston.
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