Philadelphia Union Replace Names on Jerseys With Black Victims of Police Brutality

Union players wore 'Black Lives Matter' shirts during warmups before revealing their altered jerseys for Thursday's match against NYCFC.

The Philadelphia Union made changes to their jerseys for a match against NYCFC on Thursday as the club replaced players their last names with Black victims of police brutality.

The Union warmed up for Thursday's match sporting "Black Lives Matter" shirts. The club then took a team picture before taking off the warmup shirts to reveal their respective jerseys honoring the victims.

Our players stand together. One name too many. pic.twitter.com/tPoR8DWveN

— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) July 9, 2020

Union captain Alejandro Bedoya added to the club's gesture on Thursday. Bedoya wore an armband featuring the names of police brutality victims, including George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. Bedoya also scored the lone goal in the 1-0 victory.

Our players joined together to create a custom armband for #MLSisBack that our Captain @AleBedoya17 will be wearing for the tournament.#SayTheirNames pic.twitter.com/ZZe4Ev2RCJ

— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) July 9, 2020

The display followed the league-wide show of solidarity on Wednesday night, when players and personnel from teams around the league bordered the field and raised fists in an eight-minute, 46-second demonstration–with the timing a direct nod to the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. The lengthy protest was organized by the Black Players for Change coalition in the league, which was recently formed.

MLS returned on Wednesday night as Orlando City defeated Inter Miami, 2-1, on Nani's stoppage-time winner. The MLS is Back Tournament is slated to run through Aug. 11, with group-stage games counting toward regular season standings and the winner earning a place in the 2021 Concacaf Champions League.