MLS: The Philadelphia Union

[EPJr]

http://web.mlsnet.com/mls/imgs/2009/philadelphia/philly_union_branding_01.jpg

www.philadelphiaunion.com

[EPJr]

http://soccerlens.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/sons-of-ben1.png
http://www.sonsofben.com/

The Sons of Ben (SoB) is an independent fan club for the Philadelphia Major League Soccer (MLS) team. The Sons of Ben group was created in January 2007 by soccer fans from Philadelphia and its greater metropolitan area, using such existing MLS fan clubs as the Screaming Eagles, Empire Supporters Club, La Barra Brava, Texian Army, and Section 8 Chicago as models. The name of the club alludes to Benjamin Franklin, who was one of the most well known Founding Fathers of the United States and a particularly iconic figure of Philadelphia.
Bryan James, Andrew Dillon, and Dave Flagler founded the Sons of Ben supporters club on January 17, 2007, Benjamin Franklin's birthday. Philadelphia soccer fan, Ethan Gomberg, suggested the name. SoB is the first Philly MLS supporters club. The club uses the colors blue and gold, from Philadelphia's city flag, but may assume the official team colors when they are announced.
The Sons of Ben began during a flurry of rumors regarding Major League Soccer's negotiations with investors regarding a team located in the Philadelphia region. The group has more than 2,500 members and ran a season ticket drive, attracting 2,800 requests. Both state and county governments have agreed to partially fund the Rivertown project along the banks of the Delaware River in Chester, Pennsylvania. This mixed-use development will be anchored by a 20,000-seat soccer-specific stadium (Chester Stadium) just south of the Commodore Barry Bridge. On February 28, 2008, Philadelphia was confirmed to be the league's 16th team, meaning that their initial goal has been accomplished. The Sons of Ben refocused their efforts on the most important mission of any supporters club: supporting the local team. The team will begin play in 2010.
At the "Meet the Owners" event held two days before the official MLS press conference in Chester, the Sons of Ben wore nametags with handwritten numbers intended to read 2010. The number was mistakenly interpreted as "ZOLO" by team co-owner Nick Sakiewicz. This led to the Philadelphia MLS team being referred to as the "Zolos" in a series of inside jokes by the group. The Philadelphia MLS team's ownership group, Keystone Sports & Entertainment LLC, designed a specific entrance and a 2,000-seat section of Chester Stadium for the Sons of Ben in recognition of their loyalty.

[EPJr]

The sights and sounds from 5/11
http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/1140/25305832.jpg
http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/4145/14677689.jpg

http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1030359

[89Hen]

Not bad at all IMO. xthumbsupx

[EPJr]

2,000 seats section for Sons of Ben Supporters Group is sold out

http://a1135.g.akamai.net/f/1135/182...Davis_Podcasts

According to Nick (Philly CEO and co-owner), the SoB supporters' section (2,000 strong) is already sold out. Other stuff from the Glenn Davis Podcasts:
* Sons of Ben had an influence on the Union colors and crest and likely the "Join or Die" phrase in latin.
* Sons of Ben get their own entrance on the North East side of the stadium.
* Sons of Ben get their own 2,000 seat section which they will control, separate from other sections.
http://www.mlsphilly2010.com/images/mls/stadium_designs/medium/stadium_waterside.jpg
The supporters section (its back to the river) will be 2000 strong and only those signed up the Sons of Ben will get tickets. $125 discount on season ticket will be worth it to the team owners. It costs $125 more to seat at the other endline.

[EPJr]

http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/images/2008/08/05/peter_nowak_isiphotoscom.jpg

New Philly soccer team gets right man as head coach
Philly Daily News:
http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/sports/46443932.html

[thefortyniner]

Good God, I want a team in Charlotte!

[89Hen]

Who knew the Delaware River was blue!? xeyebrowxxsmiley_wix

[GannonFan]

Who knew the Delaware River was blue!? xeyebrowxxsmiley_wix

True story - my first engineering job out of college was working for a Delaware company that made dyes and inks for the ink jet printer industry. We had a large release of cyan dye to the drain and the POTW isn't really able to take color out of the waste streams before it hits the river. The city of Wilmington informed the news that there could be a release of blue color into the river and that the river could appear blue, and one news commentators that night, after reporting the story, quipped that maybe we should release more dye in the future to keep it blue. xthumbsupx

[89Hen]

Why not? If Chicago can turn their water green for St. Pats!

[GannonFan]

Why not? If Chicago can turn their water green for St. Pats!

Uh-oh, that's almost copyright infringement on basically the same line from the movie "The Fugitive". xnonox:p

[LacesOut]

Who knew the Delaware River was blue!? xeyebrowxxsmiley_wix

Ok that made me spit up some diet pepsi! LOL

Regarding the Union, I may go to a game or two. Not really an MLS fan though.

[bluehenbillk]

Please people, if you want info on the new Philly team in the fold that has people buzzing it certainly ain't soccer....


http://www.philly.com/philly/photos/Lingerie_Football_Tryouts.html

[Lehigh Football Nation]

I'll admit I was sceptical of the Philadelphia Union (since I wanted them to be Philly Freedom FC), but after reading the logo and colors I really dig it. xthumbsupx

LOVE the references to Ben Franklin, his newspaper columns, etc.

[appmaj]

Good God, I want a team in Charlotte!

Same here; I just wonder if one would be better supported in Raleigh?\

NC does have 1 USL-1 team & 2 USL-2 teams

[SuperJon]

A pro team in North Carolina would need to be played in Cary or Raleigh.

[93henfan]

OK, now we know where the Hens will host playoff games while the NCAA/Delaware sports betting issues are being litigated. The comical thing is that it's practically next to Harrah's.




http://www.mlsphilly2010.com/images/mls/stadium_designs/medium/stadium_waterside.jpg

[Appfan_in_CAAland]

I'll admit I was sceptical of the Philadelphia Union (since I wanted them to be Philly Freedom FC), but after reading the logo and colors I really dig it. xthumbsupx

LOVE the references to Ben Franklin, his newspaper columns, etc.

I agree with this sentiment, sounds like a lot of thought went into the name - though I was for AC Philadelphia or Philadelphia Athletic

[EPJr]

I agree with this sentiment, sounds like a lot of thought went into the name - though I was for AC Philadelphia or Philadelphia Athletic

no need to go down that road and get in a legal confrontation with MLB.

http://markstangbaseballbooks.com/media/images/athletics_800.jpg

[89Hen]

OK, now we know where the Hens will host playoff games while the NCAA/Delaware sports betting issues are being litigated.
That would be pretty cool. xeyebrowx

[Appfan_in_CAAland]

no need to go down that road and get in a legal confrontation with MLB.

Yeah, I knew it was more headache then it would be worth but I still liked the name. But really, what do I care? I don't really even follow association football.

[thefortyniner]

A pro team in North Carolina would need to be played in Cary or Raleigh.

I really don't understand why this is the perception?

[EPJr]

The microphone was passed around through a throng of anxious Philadelphia Union fans.

One by one, they had a bevy of questions for Union team manager Peter Nowak. In between, they were chanting his name and focused in on his every word during a fan event Wednesday night at Tir Na Nog at 1600 Arch Street.

http://philadelphiaunion.com/Content1.aspx?cid=2.1

[SuperJon]

I really don't understand why this is the perception?

Cause Raleigh is a huge soccer hotbed and it's within two hours of the larger than normal soccer hotbeds of Wilmington, Charlotte, and the Triad. Not to mention they've hosted the NCAA championships in Cary and it's one of the better sized stadiums already built.

[EPJr]

PHILADELPHIA UNION KITS

http://www.footballshirtculture.com/images/image/philadelphia-union-10-11-adidas-home-shirt-1_(1).jpg
http://www.footballshirtculture.com/images/image/Philadelphia-Union-10-11-adidas-away-shirt.jpg

[appmaj]

PHILADELPHIA UNION KITS

http://www.footballshirtculture.com/images/image/philadelphia-union-10-11-adidas-home-shirt-1_(1).jpg
http://www.footballshirtculture.com/images/image/Philadelphia-Union-10-11-adidas-away-shirt.jpg

No sponsor?

[Pards Rule]

I drove over the Commodore Barry Bridge the other week and you can see the steel rising on the new stadium...GO UNION!!

[89Hen]

PHILADELPHIA UNION KITS
Certainly better than the US kits. xcoolx

[sikolec]

Pretty sweet supporter group and team.

[EPJr]

Philadelphia to pick first 10 members in MLS Expansion Draft on Wednesday
http://web.mlsnet.com/images/2009/11/18/PvM6pHLy.jpg

YORK -- Major League Soccer will hold the 2009 MLS Expansion Draft on Wednesday, Nov. 25 at 1 p.m. ET. The League's 16th team, Philadelphia Union, will begin to take shape following the 10-round draft.
Listed below are the details regarding the League's expansion draft, as well as the protected player list and the list of players who are graduating from Generation adidas. Philadelphia may not claim more than one player from any given team in MLS, and five teams will not have a player taken in the expansion draft.

MLS DRAFT RULES (http://web.mlsnet.com/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20091123&content_id=7708330&vkey=news_mls&fext=.jsp)

[EPJr]

Philadelphia 2009 Expansion Draft

Jordan Harvey (D), Colorado Rapids
Andrew Jacobsen (M), D.C. United
Brad Knighton (G), New England Revolution
Sebastien Le Toux (F), Seattle Sounders FC
Stefani Miglioranzi (M), L.A. Galaxy
Alejandro Moreno (F), Columbus Crew
Dave Myrie (D), Chicago Fire
Shea Salinas (M), San Jose Earthquakes
Shavar Thomas (D, Chivas USA
Nick Zimmerman (M), New York Red Bulls

GALLERY OF UNION ROSTER

http://web.mlsnet.com/gallery/photogallery.jsp?pathid=200911257718490&vkey=mls

[EPJr]

CHESTER, Pa (November 30, 2009) — Just four days after drafting 10 players from in the 2009 Major League Soccer Expansion Draft, Philadelphia Union have added former Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Chris Seitz to their roster in exchange for allocation money. Financial terms, as per club policy, are not disclosed.
http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0bv7cHDcWX6SE/340x.jpg
“We are extremely excited about acquiring Chris Seitz who has been in the U.S. Men’s National Team goalkeeper pool and with Real Salt Lake the past three seasons,” said Philadelphia Union Team Manager Peter Nowak. “He’s physically imposing and now has a chance to compete to become a starting goalkeeper in MLS and realize his full potential.”
http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/06Kah1b3kAcUh/340x.jpg

[EPJr]

U.S. national team defender to join Philadelphia from Danish Superliga

http://web.mlsnet.com/images/2009/12/03/KYbBa2oO.jpg

CHESTER, Pa. -- Philadelphia Union have acquired the rights to United States Men's National Team veteran Danny Califf. The 29-year old central defender will join Philadelphia Union from FC Midtjylland in the Danish Superliga, after the club acquired his League rights in a trade with the Houston Dynamo for allocation money. As per club policy, details of the deal will not be disclosed.

Califf brings leadership and international experience to Philadelphia Union, having earned 23 caps with the USMNT. In 2009, he captained the side's 3-2 win over Sweden and helped them to a first place finish in the CONCACAF region to earn a trip to the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

http://web.mlsnet.com/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20091203&content_id=7751922&vkey=pr_mls&fext=.jsp

[EPJr]

Philadelphia players meet their adoring public
http://web.mlsnet.com/images/2009/12/09/5KYCpUcn.jpg
Sizable crowd turns out to meet newest Union members
- By Andy Jasner / MLSnet.com Staff


PHILADELPHIA -- The first 11 players in Philadelphia Union history had a chance to mingle with the club's already passionate fan base Tuesday night at Tir Na Nog, an Irish pub in the downtown area.

They were amazed by the reaction.
http://www.philly2philly.com/sites/default/files/union_0.jpg
In a packed restaurant with the Sons of Ben chanting, the players soon realized how excitable the region is for Major League Soccer. They had heard about the fans, but witnessing it in person was something to see.

"This is incredible, let me tell you," said defender David Myrie, who played last season for the Chicago Fire. "You look around and it makes you want to play right now. These fans are going crazy. I was told they were like this and it's true. I can't wait to get started for real in 2010."

The players signed autographs and shook hands. They chatted with the Sons of Ben and the hundreds of other patrons. Being in this type of atmosphere was more than they imagined.

[Sly Fox]

If the Sons of Ben can generate the type of electricity in the stadium that El Batallon/Texian Army contribute here in Houston then going to games will be an outstanding experience.