Major League Soccer was only six years old when the September 11th attacks took place and was forced to shorten its regular season in the final weeks. When the league returned to activity the eventual champion of the 2001 season was the San Jose Earthquakes.
For the 20th anniversary of 9/11 there will be three key elements in the pregame of all the MLS matches played during the weekend. All the teams in MLS will have a remembrance patch, it will take inspiration from the patch clubs wore when the league returned to action after the attacks. A moment of silence will be held before kickoff of each game, and the American flag will be displayed before the singing of the national anthem.
MLS clubs have also done their part to commemorate and cause awareness to a younger generation that may not remember the events that unfolded on September 11, 2001. Here is a list of MLS club initiatives for the 20th anniversary of September 11.
MLS and 20th Anniversary of September 11th
Below is a list of what some clubs, owners, and MLS organizations will be doing during the 20th anniversary of September 11th:
Atlanta United and the Home Depot Foundation will recognize United States Army veteran Garrett Cathcart as a 2021 Atlanta United Hometown Hero.
Colorado Rapids: The local Brighton Fire Department is running the stairs inside Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. They will run the equivalent of 110 stories to honor the first responders 20 years ago.
The New England Revolution will auction their special jerseys worn for their match against NYCFC to 9/11 charities.
The New York Red Bulls will serve lunch to the Harrison Police Department and Fire Department as a thank you for their service to the community.
Sporting Kansas City will have a flyover from the 303rd Fighter Squadron at Whiteman Air Force Base during their match.
RSL will have a “Light the Night” event held at the 9/11 Healing Field Memorial.
The Seattle Sounders will have 600 local fire fighters and their families for the match againstMinnesota United among other activities.