Charlotte and Atlanta lead emotional tributes to Anton Walkes as Major League Soccer kicks off a new season – a month after he tragically died aged 25 in a boating accident in Florida
Charlotte FC and Atlanta paid tribute to late defender Anton Walkes on Saturday night before kicking off their Major League Soccer season against the New England Revolution.
Walkes died in January after a boating accident in Miami at the age of 25, plunging the Charlotte squad into mourning as it prepared for the upcoming MLS campaign.
Teams across MLS observed a minute’s silence before Saturday’s games on the opening weekend of the new season.
He played a year in Atlanta before joining Charlotte for their first MLS season in 2022. Woakes also played in England, coming through Tottenham Hotspur’s academy before joining Portsmouth.
Charlotte FC will wear the ‘AW5’ crest on their shirts this season – in memory of Walkes and his team number.
Charlotte paid tribute to Anton Walkes on Saturday night following his death last month
Walkes’ No. 5 was lit up in the stands moments before Charlotte kicked off its new season
In Atlanta, a tifo showing Walkes from his playing days with the MLS team was kept
Before Saturday’s opener against New England, Walkes’ jersey was held up on the field while fans held a banner that read “Anton Walkes forever.”
At Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, fans raised a tifo with Walkes in the club’s colors shortly before kick-off against the San Jose Earthquakes.
Walkes was discovered unconscious after two boats crashed near Marine Stadium in Miami, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, in January.
Walkes, who has a young daughter named Ayla with his girlfriend Alexis, received CPR from Miami Fire Rescue on Wednesday before being taken to a hospital, but died the next day.
“We are devastated by the loss of Anton Walkes, a truly incredible father, loving man and an outstanding human being,” Charlotte athletic director Zoran Krneta said in a statement.
“Anton embodied what it means to be a member of Charlotte Soccer and our entire community is mourning this tragedy.
“The impact he made in the locker room and throughout Charlotte will never be forgotten. We are thinking of his wonderful family during this time and will fully support them in every way imaginable.”
Charlotte lost their first game of the season 1-0 to the New England Revolution, while Atlanta beat the San Jose Earthquakes 2-1.
Walkes died last month at age 25 in a boating accident while in Florida
Fans held signs reading ‘For Anton, Forever’ as they watched Charlotte’s fight
Charlotte will have an ‘AW5’ logo on their jersey and around the pitch as a tribute to his memory