Philadelphia Union

Philadelphia Union
Full name Philadelphia Union
Nickname(s) The U
Founded February 28, 2008 (2008-02-28)
Stadium Talen Energy Stadium
Chester, Pennsylvania
Ground Capacity 18,500
Owner Keystone S&E
Head Coach Jim Curtin
League Major League Soccer
2016 Eastern Conference: 1st
Overall: 6th
Playoffs: tbd
Website Club home page
Active teams of the Philadelphia Union
MLS USL PDL

The Philadelphia Union is an American professional soccer team based in Chester, Pennsylvania which competes in Major League Soccer (MLS) in the Eastern Conference of the league. The team plays their home matches at Talen Energy Stadium, a soccer-specific stadium located in Chester, Pennsylvania, on the banks of the Delaware River. Jim Curtin is the Union's head coach.

The Union finished as runners-up in the 2014 and 2015 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup tournaments. In the 2014 edition, they lost to Seattle Sounders FC, 3–1 in overtime and to Sporting Kansas City on 6–7 penalties in after a 1–1 draw in the 2015.

History

Drive for expansion

Despite being one of the ten largest metropolitan areas in the country and a top-five media market, the Philadelphia area was not represented when Major League Soccer kicked off in 1996. The first effort to bring soccer to the Delaware Valley commenced in 2001, when a group of investors attempted to bring an MLS franchise to Trenton, New Jersey. The centerpiece of their efforts was a $31 million soccer-specific stadium to be built across the street from the Sun National Bank Center and with access to the under-construction NJ Transit River Line.[1] "Union FC" was the intended name for the Trenton MLS team if it came into fruition. However, MetroStars (now New York Red Bulls) held the right to block a franchise in Trenton, as it would infringe on their 75-mile competition-free zone.

Five years later, plans were in place to construct a 20,000-capacity stadium on the campus of Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey. The stadium would serve as the home field for both an MLS expansion club and Rowan's football team.[2] Ultimately, $100 million in state bonds to fund the stadium and various other improvements on the Rowan campus were dropped by New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine. Shortly after the Rowan proposal fell through, Keystone Sports & Entertainment (the group that would eventually own the Union) looked at a site underneath the Commodore Barry Bridge in Chester to develop a soccer-specific stadium.

In 2007, the Sons of Ben supporter group formed to raise interest toward a Major League Soccer team in Philadelphia. They are credited with demonstrating to MLS an established fan base in the market.[3]

Major League Soccer added Philadelphia as its sixteenth team on February 28, 2008.[4] The finalization of the club was the result of a $47 million package approved by Delaware County politicians and Pennsylvania governor, Ed Rendell, that included the cost of Talen Energy Stadium and a major urban renewal project.[5]

In December 2009, the Union added the Reading Rage youth soccer organization as their official minor league affiliate in the USL Premier Development League. As a result, the Rage were rebranded as "Reading United A.C." with a new logo and colors for the 2010 PDL season.[6] In the 2010 MLS SuperDraft, the Union selected forward Danny Mwanga from Oregon State University as the number one pick, as well as sixth and seventh picks Amobi Okugo from UCLA and Jack McInerney from the U.S. U-17 National Team in the first round.[7] In March 2010, the Union signed an affiliation agreement with the Harrisburg City Islanders of the United Soccer League.[8] And in January 2012, the Union formed their first international partnership with Deportivo Saprissa of the Costa Rican Primera División.[9]

Inaugural season

The Union's played their inaugural game on March 25, 2010, in which they lost 2–0 to Seattle Sounders FC at Qwest Field.[10] Sébastien Le Toux became the first player to score a goal for Philadelphia in their home opener on April 10, 2010, a 3–2 win over D.C. United at Lincoln Financial Field.[11] The team again played Seattle Sounders FC for the first match at Talen Energy Stadium on June 27, 2010. Le Toux scored the Union's initial goal at the venue from a penalty kick, which was instrumental to their 3–1 victory. All 12,000 season ticket packages for 2010 were sold prior to this opener.[12] At the end of the inaugural season the Union finished 7th in the Eastern Conference and 14th overall in the league with a record of 8-15-7 (W-L-T).

Piotr Nowak era (2010–2012)

The Union picked up three players in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft. Most notably, Zac MacMath, who was the fifth overall draft pick. On January 11, 2011 the Union acquired shirt sponsor Bimbo Bakeries USA. On January 20, Philadelphia introduced two new players: Colombians Faryd Mondragón (GK) and Carlos Valdés (D). Mondragón had recently come from playing with 1. FC Köln in the German Bundesliga, and has at least 50 caps with the Colombian national team. Valdés came from Independiente Santa Fe in the Colombian First Division, where he served as captain before coming to Philadelphia. The Union also signed during the summer transfer window US International Freddy Adu. The team made a complete turnaround in the 2011 season, finishing 3rd in the Eastern Conference and 8th overall in the league with a record of 11-8-15 (W-L-T) scoring 44 goals and allowing 36. This marked the 1st time the Philadelphia Union qualified for the MLS Cup Playoffs. The Union had a stellar start of the season that saw them win 4 and only lost 1 of their first six league games. In the 2011 MLS Cup Playoffs the Unions lost the 1st leg of the MLS Eastern Conference semi-finals 2-1 at home on October 30, 2011 with the 1st playoff Union goal coming from Sebastien Le Toux. The Union then lost the 2nd leg 1-0 on November 3, 2011 against the future MLS Cup finalist Houston Dynamo.[13]

Sébastien Le Toux was the Union's first goal scorer

John Hackworth era (2012–14)

John Hackworth became the Unions' interim coach on June 13, 2012 receiving the role permanently on August 30, 2012. The Union finished their third season in eighth place in the Eastern Conference and fifteenth in MLS overall, with a record of 10-18-6 (W-L-T), scoring 37 goals and allowing 45. Antoine Hoppenot, who was selected in the third round of the 2012 Supplemental Draft, netted four goals within 817 minutes of play. Talen Energy Stadium was the site of the 2012 MLS All-Star Game in which the MLS All-Stars defeated Chelsea F.C., 3–2.[13] The Union also made it to the semifinals of the 2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup after defeating the Rochester Rhinos 3-0 in the third round and winning against D.C. United on the road 2-1, after extra time, in the fourth round. They subsequently defeated the Harrisburg City Islanders, their main affiliate at the time, 5-2 in the quarterfinals.

The Union traded allocation money in order to take the first overall pick, which was used on goalkeeper and Jamaican international Andre Blake. They then traded down multiple times in order to select Coastal Carolina University midfielder Pedro Ribeiro. Other new, preseason acquisitions included Maurice Edu, French midfielder Vincent Nogueira, Argentinian midfielder Cristian Maidana, and former MLS Rookie of the Year defender Austin Berry. Despite these additions, the Union still languished in mediocrity, winning just two of their first 14 games, posting a record of 2-7-5 (W-L-T). On April 20, 2014, the Union traded forward Jack McInerney to the Montreal Impact for winger Andrew Wenger, a Lancaster, Pennsylvania native. Hackworth's coaching career with the Union ended on June 10, 2014.

Jim Curtin era (2014–present)

Although failing to make the playoffs, the Union reached the 2014 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup finals for the first time in the club's history. During the offseason, the club traded for forward C. J. Sapong from Sporting Kansas City. They also traded long time defensive midfielder Amobi Okugo to Orlando City SC. Other new preseason acquisitions included FC Nantes loanee Fernando Aristeguieta, S.L. Benfica loanee Steven Vitória, and free agent Cameroonian 18-year-old midfielder Eric Ayuk. During the 2015 MLS SuperDraft the Union drafted forward Dzenan Catic from Bosnia-Herzegovina, midfielder Eric Bird, and defender Raymond Lee. During the expansion draft, Orlando City SC drafted Philadelphia midfielder Pedro Ribeiro. Despite all the offseason transactions, the Union only registered one win in their first ten league games with a record of 1-6-3 (W-L-T).

During the 2015 summer transfer window, the Union traded longtime defender Sheanon Williams to the Houston Dynamo for allocation money, which they used to sign Swiss midfielder Tranquillo Barnetta on July 29, 2015. The club achieved a successful run in the 2015 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, earning a second consecutive appearance to the Open Cup final. This match took place against Sporting Kansas City, at Talen Energy Stadium on September 30, 2015.

Colors and badge

Join, or Die Benjamin Franklin was recycled to encourage the former colonies to unite against British rule
This cartoon by Benjamin Franklin was the inspiration behind the Union's brand

On May 11, 2009, the Philadelphia Union's name, crest, and colors were officially announced during a ceremony held at Philadelphia City Hall. "Union" alludes to the union of the Thirteen Colonies, of which Philadelphia was the first capital.[14] The name was chosen following a fan poll held between January 19, 2009 and February 6, 2009; the other three options were AC Philadelphia, SC Philadelphia, and Philadelphia City.[15][16]

The Union's colors are navy blue and gold, representing the primary colors of the Continental Army's uniforms during the American Revolutionary War. The team's crest is circular, symbolizing unity. Its thirteen gold stars represent the original Thirteen Colonies, while the shield's contour derives from the Philadelphia coat of arms. The rattlesnake pays homage to the "Join, or Die" political cartoon by Benjamin Franklin that was featured in the 1754 Pennsylvania Gazette, and is also reminiscent of the Gadsden flag, another Revolutionary icon. The light blue in the middle of the crest is a tribute to the Sons of Ben, and is further derived from the civic flag of Philadelphia.[17] Coincidentally, the navy blue, gold, and light blue colors of the Union are also the predominant colors in the state flags of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. The team's secondary logo is a simplified version of the aforementioned design comprising the blue shield with the rattlesnake, augmented with a gold border and a ribbon bearing the team's official motto: "jungite aut perite", a Latin translation of the phrase "join or die", which was also used in the 1754 Benjamin Franklin political cartoon mentioned above.[18]

In February 2013, the team unveiled a third uniform that commemorated Bethlehem Steel F.C., one of the most successful early American soccer clubs.[19][20][21] The kit was primarily black with white trim, featuring a sublimated Union emblem, and a Bethlehem Steel F.C. jock tag.[22][23]

Kit evolution

Home, away, and third kits.

2010-2011
2012-2013
2014-2015
2016-
2010-2011
2012-2014
2015-
2011-2012
2013-2014

Stadium

A view of Talen Energy Stadium from the River End supporters section.

The Union play most of their games at Talen Energy Stadium (formerly PPL Park), an 18,500-seat soccer-specific stadium located at the southwesterly corner of the Commodore Barry Bridge (U.S. Route 322). The structure was designed by Rossetti Architects and the ICON Venue Group, with the actual construction contracted to the Ardmore, Pennsylvania-based T.N. Ward Company. Talen Energy Stadium's design allows clear views of the Delaware River for approximately sixty percent of its spectators, and is the centerpiece of Chester's urban renewal process. The Union trains at YSC Sports in Wayne, Pennsylvania, a community located 17 miles north of Chester.[24]

In addition to Talen Energy Stadium, the Union also plays select games at Lincoln Financial Field, the home stadium of the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles and the NCAA's Temple University Owls football team. Prior to the completion of Talen Energy Stadium, the Union played their home opener at Lincoln Financial Field on April 10, 2010 against D.C. United as well as their May 15 match against FC Dallas. Originally just scheduled to play only the home opener at Lincoln Financial Field, the second game was played there due to construction delays at Talen Energy Stadium. Lincoln Financial Field remains the team's secondary home, for matches with anticipated high attendances, such as a friendly against Manchester United, during their 2010 tour of North America.[25] For the home opener, the team limited ticket sales to the lower bowl and club sections, totaling about 37,500 seats.[26] On June 27, the Union officially opened their home with a 3–2 win over Seattle Sounders FC.[27] Lincoln Financial Field also hosts international friendlies involving teams other than the Union; the most recent being Real Madrid against the Scottish Premier League's Celtic FC in August 2012. Celtic FC met with the Union in their first international friendly in July 2010.

Training facility

The Philadelphia Union training fields are right outside Talen Energy Stadium; Chester, Pennsylvania. The training complex features 2 grass fields that were constructed in fall 2014. Prior to having dedicated training fields, the Union was practicing at a nearby municipal park called Chester Park or directly at Talen Energy Stadium.[28]

Youth development

USL Team

2016 crest for Bethlehem Steel FC
Main article: Bethlehem Steel FC

On August 19, 2015, the team announced that they would operate a reserve team in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania that will compete in the United Soccer League (USL) starting in 2016 with matches being played at Lehigh University's Goodman Stadium.[29] As a part of the announcement, the Union agreed to dissolve their partnership with the Harrisburg City Islanders.[30] On October 27, 2015, Bethlehem Steel FC's name, crest, and colors were officially announced during a ceremony held at the ArtsQuest at SteelStacks. "Steel FC" alludes to the historical Bethlehem Steel F.C. soccer club, which played from 1907 to 1930. The name was chosen following a fan poll held between September 8, 2015 and September 30, 2015;

YSC Academy

The Philadelphia Union opened its own private school called YSC Academy on September 3, 2013. It is located in Wayne, Pennsylvania and is designed for student-athletes the club aims to groom for professional soccer. The initial 33 pupils already had experience playing for one of the Union's academy and Juniors teams.[31]

Club culture

Supporters

Grassroots support was instrumental to the founding of the Philadelphia Union and the construction of Talen Energy Stadium. This backing came in the form of a supporters group known as the Sons of Ben, which was founded in January 2007. The Sons of Ben petitioned Major League Soccer to expand to the Philadelphia market until the official expansion announcement was made in January 2008. Named for Founding Father and Philadelphia icon, Benjamin Franklin, the group was included in the expansion press conference, singing their anthem, "I'm Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover", and closing the event by presenting scarves to the ownership group.[32] They were also present on May 11, 2009 for the naming ceremony at City Hall.

While the Sons of Ben are the predominant and official supporters group, smaller supporters groups also exist. These include the Tammany Saints (sections 101 and 133), the IllegitimateS (section 133), the Corner Creeps (section 134), the Bridge Crew (sections 120–121),[33] La Union Latina (section 114),[34] and the Bearfight Brigade.

Rivalries

The Philadelphia Union's primary rivals are D.C. United and the New York Red Bulls.[35] These rivalries exist primarily because of geographical proximity and the traditional animosities between the metropolitan areas of Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and New York City in other professional sports leagues. The Union also have a bit of a rivalry with Seattle Sounders FC despite the 2,377 miles (3,825 km)[36] between Philadelphia and Seattle. The cross-country feud started when the Philadelphia Union played its inaugural MLS game in Seattle. It continued when Talen Energy Stadium's first-ever home game pitted the club against Seattle. The rivalry culminated as they were regularly compared to the 2009 expansion Sounders FC during their inaugural 2010 season as noted by defender Danny Califf, "Last year there was all this measuring of us against Seattle in their inaugural year, so maybe it created a bit more of a rivalry. They're a good team coming in here, and after the start they had they'd really like to take it to us."[37]

M = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost;

ClubMWDLWin %
D.C. United|18 7 3 8 38.89
New York Red Bulls|18 6 2 10 33.33
New York City FC|4 2 1 1 50.00

Matches played include all league, cup and playoff games. The win percentage is calculated from the total of games.

Sponsorship

On January 11, 2011, the Philadelphia Union announced a four-year agreement with Bimbo Bakeries USA to be its official jersey sponsor. The company's U.S. headquarters is located in the Philadelphia suburb of Horsham, Pennsylvania, thus providing local and global exposure to the team. It was also announced that Bimbo will be the official bread and baked goods partner of both the Union and Major League Soccer, as well as an overall league sponsor.[38] The sponsorship deal is valued at about $12 million.[39] Bimbo and the Union agreed in 2014 to renew their sponsorship arrangement for five years at an annual value of $2.3 million.[40]

On November 26, 2014, the Union announced the Milton, Delaware-based Dogfish Head Brewery as their official beer sponsor.[41] The deal includes the establishment of a beer garden at Talen Energy Stadium.

Broadcasting

The Union's matches are locally televised by Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia and The Comcast Network. WPVI-TV, Philadelphia's ABC affiliate, also airs a limited number of matches, primarily Saturday afternoon kickoffs that do not conflict with ABC network programming. WPVI's matches also aired on WQMY in the Scranton/Wilkes Barre and Williamsport areas for the first two seasons. The Union no longer are seen on broadcast television in this market. Only games on Comcast SportsNet, ESPN, and NBCSN can still be seen there. JP Dellacamera calls the play-by-play with former Philadelphia KiXX goalkeeper Peter Pappas calling the color commentary. Former U.S. women's national team player Heather Mitts serves as the sideline and pre-game reporter. Select matches are also nationally broadcast on ESPN2, NBC and the NBC Sports Network, and in Spanish on Telefutura. As of the start of the 2015 season, all English-speaking nationally-televisied games will appear on Fox and ESPN and their affiliates, and Spanish broadcasts will appear on Univision and UniMas as NBC decided not to re-sign the league to a deal for the future.

During 2012 MLS season, seventeen select home and road matches were broadcast on SportsRadio 610 WIP. The Union also collaborated with WIP on a weekly hour-long soccer show.[42] The Union host a weekly radio show, 90th Minute, broadcast on 610 AM WTEL each Tuesday.[43]

Players and staff

For details on former players, see All-time Philadelphia Union roster.

Current roster

As of March 1, 2016.[44]

No. Position Player Nation
1 Goalkeeper Blake, AndreAndre Blake (GA)     Jamaica
2 Midfielder Creavalle, WarrenWarren Creavalle      United States
3 Defender Washington, TaylorTaylor Washington      United States
4 Defender Tribbett, KenKen Tribbett      United States
5 Midfielder Nogueira, VincentVincent Nogueira      France
6 Midfielder Alberg, RolandRoland Alberg      Netherlands
7 Midfielder Carroll, BrianBrian Carroll      United States
8 Midfielder Edu, MauriceMaurice Edu (DP)     United States
9 Midfielder Le Toux, SébastienSébastien Le Toux      France
10 Midfielder Barnetta, TranquilloTranquillo Barnetta       Switzerland
11 Forward Herbers, FabianFabian Herbers (GA)     Germany
12 Defender Rosenberry, KeeganKeegan Rosenberry      United States
13 Midfielder Pontius, ChrisChris Pontius      United States
14 Midfielder Ayuk, EricEric Ayuk      Cameroon
15 Defender Yaro, JoshuaJoshua Yaro (GA)     Ghana
16 Defender Marquez, RichieRichie Marquez      United States
17 Forward Sapong, C. J.C. J. Sapong      United States
19 Midfielder Missimo, ColeCole Missimo      United States
20 Midfielder Restrepo, WálterWálter Restrepo      Colombia
22 Midfielder Fernandes, LeoLeo Fernandes      Brazil
23 Defender Conceição, AndersonAnderson Conceição (on loan from Tombense)     Brazil
24 Goalkeeper Jones, MattMatt Jones (on loan from Belenenses)     England
25 Midfielder , IlsinhoIlsinho      Brazil
27 Goalkeeper McCarthy, JohnJohn McCarthy      United States
28 Defender Gaddis, RayRay Gaddis      United States
33 Defender , FabinhoFabinho      Brazil

Out on loan

No. Position Player Nation
13 Midfielder Lahoud, MichaelMichael Lahoud (on loan to New York Cosmos)     Sierra Leone

Current staff

As of March 2016 [45]
Position Staff Nation
Head coach Jim Curtin  United States
Technical director/Assistant coach Chris Albright  United States
Assistant coach Mike Sorber  United States
Assistant coach B.J. Callaghan  United States
Goalkeeping coach Oka Nikolov  Macedonia
Head athletic trainer Paul Rushing  United States
Strength and conditioning coach Kevin Miller  United States
Sporting director Earnie Stewart  United States
Academy director Tommy Wilson  Scotland

Head coaches

This list includes all those who have managed the club since 2010, when the club joined Major League Soccer for the first time, whether coaching on a full-time or interim basis. Games played include all League, Cup, Playoff, and the win percentage is calculated from the total of games.

M = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost;

NameNatFromToMWDLWinNotes
Piotr Nowak  Poland May 28, 2009 June 13, 2012 78 22 32 24 28.21% -
John Hackworth  United States June 13, 2012 June 10, 2014 77 26 32 19 33.77% Interim coach through August 30, 2012
Jim Curtin  United States June 10, 2014 present 66 27 18 2140.90% Interim coach through November 7, 2014

Ownership

Keystone Sports & Entertainment (S&E) owns the Philadelphia Union and Bethlehem Steel FC. Jay Sugarman, chief executive officer (CEO) of iStar Financial, leads this group including Christopher F. Buccini, Robert Buccini, and David B. Pollin – co-founders of the Buccini/Pollin Group; Joseph J. Greco, chairman of the RevSpring technology company and president of Premier Management Services; and David Seltzer, principal and co-founder of the Mercator financial advisors.[46] Nick Sakiewicz was the former CEO and investor in Keystone S&E until October 3, 2015, when Sugarman purchased his shares in the club and discontinued his involvement. His termination was primarily due to his strained relationship with the Union's fanbase, which blamed Sakiewicz for the team's mediocre record.[47][48]

Honors

Records

Year-by-year

Year League Standings MLS
Cup Playoffs		 U.S.
Open Cup		 CONCACAF
Champions
League		 Top Scorer Average Attendance
Team
Season		 GP Pts W L T Conf. Overall Nat. Name Goals Regular
season		 MLS Cup
playoffs
2010 30 31 8 15 7 7th 14th Did not qualify Did not qualify Did not qualify France Sébastien Le Toux 14 19,254 DNQ
2011 34 48 11 8 15 3rd 8th Conf. Semifinals Did not qualify Did not qualify France Sébastien Le Toux 11 18,259 18,539
2012 34 36 10 18 6 8th 15th Did not qualify Semi-finals Did not qualify United States Jack McInerney 8 18,049 DNQ
2013 34 46 12 12 10 7th 14th Did not qualify 4th round Did not qualify United States Jack McInerney 12 17,867 DNQ
2014 34 42 10 12 12 6th 12th Did not qualify Runner-up Did not qualify France Sébastien Le Toux 12 17,631 DNQ
2015 34 37 10 17 7 9th 18th Did not qualify Runner-up Did not qualify United States C.J. Sapong 9 17,471 DNQ

Team records

As of August 24, 2015.[49] Includes all League, Cup, and Playoffs matches.

Field players

Goalkeepers

All-time regular season records

As of August 29, 2015

Talen Energy Stadium records

As of August 29, 2015

International results

Year Competition Club Nation Result
2010 Preseason Club Universidad de Guadalajara  Mexico W 0–1
2010 Preseason Chivas de Guadalajara  Mexico D 2–2
2010 Friendly Celtic  Scotland W 1–0
2010 Friendly Manchester United  England L 0–1
2010 Friendly Chivas de Guadalajara  Mexico W 1–0
2011 Preseason Olympiakos Chersonissos F.C.  Greece W 0–5
2011 Preseason Ergotelis F.C.  Greece D 1–1
2011 Friendly Everton  England W 1–0
2011 World Football Challenge Real Madrid  Spain L 1–2
2012 Preseason Pérez Zeledón  Costa Rica L 1–0
2012 Preseason Costa Rica U-20  Costa Rica W 0–3
2012 Preseason Belén Siglo XXI  Costa Rica L 2–0
2012 Friendly FC Schalke 04  Germany W 2–1
2012 Friendly Aston Villa  England L 0–1
2013 Friendly UNAM Pumas  Mexico W 1–0
2013 Friendly Stoke City  England L 0–2
2014 Friendly Crystal Palace  England L 0–1
2015 Preseason Costa Rica U-23s  Costa Rica W 3-0
2015 Friendly A.F.C. Bournemouth  England L 1-4

See also

References

  1. ↑ Sophia Hollander (September 9, 2001). "Is the Field Getting Too Crowded?". nytimes.com. Retrieved February 9, 2012.
  2. ↑ Lucas K. Murray (June 27, 2010). "Mising the goal: Philadelphia Union's new soccer stadium could have been in Gloucester County.". The Gloucester County Times. Retrieved February 9, 2012.
  3. ↑ Andy Jasner (March 1, 2008). "Sons of Ben rejoice in Philly expansion". MLSNet.com. Archived from the original on December 9, 2008. Retrieved May 12, 2009.
  4. ↑ "MLS awards Philadelphia 2010 expansion team". February 28, 2008. Archived from the original on March 2, 2008. Retrieved February 28, 2008.
  5. ↑ "Major hurdle cleared for Philly expansion". MLSnet.com. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  6. ↑ "New era for Reading PDL team". Uslsoccer.com. December 21, 2009. Retrieved December 3, 2011.
  7. ↑ "2010 SuperDraft – Draft Tracker". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on January 17, 2010. Retrieved January 14, 2010.
  8. ↑ "Philadelphia Union To Play Harrisburg City Islanders July 27". Daily Times. Retrieved July 7, 2010.
  9. ↑ "Union form strategic partnership Deportivo Saprissa". January 27, 2012.
  10. ↑ "The Union go down in their debut". The Philadelphia Inquirer. March 25, 2010. Archived from the original on March 29, 2010. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
  11. ↑ "Le Toux helps Union hold off D.C. in Philly debut". Major League Soccer. April 10, 2010. Archived from the original on May 4, 2010. Retrieved May 20, 2010.
  12. ↑ Gabriel, Kerith (May 20, 2010). "Union season-ticket packages are sold out". Philadelphia Daily News. Retrieved May 20, 2010.
  13. 1 2 "Club History". Philadelphia Union.
  14. ↑ "Press release" (PDF). May 11, 2009. Retrieved May 11, 2009.
  15. ↑ "PHILLY Soccer 2010 Name The Team". January 9, 2009. Retrieved January 29, 2009.
  16. ↑ "Philly-area soccer team holds vote for team name". USA Today. Associated Press. January 15, 2009. Retrieved May 12, 2009.
  17. ↑ "Philadelphia Union supporters club". May 11, 2009. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
  18. ↑ "Philadelphia Union brand narrative". May 11, 2009. Retrieved May 11, 2009.
  19. ↑ "Jersey Week: Union pay homage to Bethlehem Steel with retro 3rd shirt". MLSsoccer.com.
  20. ↑ "Philadelphia Union honors Bethlehem Steel soccer club on new jerseys". lehighvalleylive.com.
  21. ↑ "The Philadelphia Union: Following the Ghosts of Bethlehem's Soccer Tradition" by Stephen Barrow, 7 July 2012
  22. ↑ "Philadelphia Union unveil new third jersey, inspired by Bethlehem Steel". Philly.com.
  23. ↑ "Todo Sobre Camisetas: Philadelphia Union Adidas Third Jersey 2013". todosobrecamisetas.blogspot.com.ar.
  24. ↑ Zeitlin, Dave (January 29, 2011). "Union taking a different approach to fitness in preseason". Philadelphiaunion.com. Retrieved December 3, 2011.
  25. ↑ Union to host Manchester United at the Linc Archived May 8, 2010, at the Wayback Machine.
  26. ↑ Gammage, Jeff (September 23, 2009). "Linc to host first Phila. Union soccer game". Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved September 23, 2009.
  27. ↑
  28. ↑ "Persistence pays off as Philadelphia Union begin construction on training facility at PPL Park". Retrieved August 18, 2015.
  29. ↑ Philadelphia Union Announce 2016 USL Expansion Team, philadelphiaunion.com, August 18, 2015.
  30. ↑ Harrisburg City Islanders and Philadelphia Union Agree to Dissolve Five-Year Exclusive Partnership, cityislanders.com, August 19, 2015.
  31. ↑ "Philadelphia Union's YSC Academy opens its doors: "It's a landmark day" for the club's future". September 23, 2009. Retrieved September 6, 2013.
  32. ↑ "Sons of Ben rejoice in Philly expansion". February 29, 2008. Archived from the original on March 2, 2008. Retrieved March 5, 2008.
  33. ↑ "Philly Soccer Page – The Other Supporters Groups". Phillysoccerpage.net. February 7, 2011. Retrieved December 3, 2011.
  34. ↑ "La Union Latina Helping Bridge the Gap". February 7, 2013. Retrieved July 24, 2014.
  35. ↑ Goff, Steven (April 10, 2010). "D.C. United fosters a rivalry with expansion Philadelphia Union". The Washington Post. p. D2.
  36. ↑ [cite web |title=Distance Philadelphia – Seattle|newspaper=Distance24.org|http://www.distance24.org/Philadelphia/Seattle]
  37. ↑ [cite web |title=Union vs. Sounders a budding cross-country feud|newspaper=MLS Soccer|http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/union-vs-sounders-budding-cross-country-feud]
  38. ↑ Baking company signs on as official bread and baked goods sponsor of the Union and MLS, Philadelphia Union, January 11, 2011, retrieved January 11, 2011
  39. ↑ Gammage, Jeff (January 11, 2011), Union soccer team wins sponsorship from Bimbo bakery, The Philadelphia Inquirer, retrieved January 11, 2011
  40. ↑ "AJC Soccer Insider: Atlanta’s MLS team could shatter records", Atlanta Journal-Constitution, August 25, 2014.
  41. ↑ "Union announce new corporate partnerships with Dogfish Head Brewery, Musselman's and Delaware Express". Philadelphia Union.
  42. ↑ "Union ink radio deal with SportsRadio 610 WIP". Philadelphia Union Communications. October 20, 2011. Retrieved October 21, 2011.
  43. ↑ "90th Minute". Retrieved August 19, 2015.
  44. ↑ "Players". Philadelphia Union. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
  45. ↑ http://www.philadelphiaunion.com/club/technical-staff
  46. ↑ "Club Ownership". Philadelphia Union.com. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
  47. ↑ "Sakiewicz ouster by Union shows fan base's clout". philly-archives. Retrieved October 30, 2015.
  48. ↑ "City of Brotherly Love embraces MLS". FoxSports.com. Retrieved March 1, 2008.
  49. ↑ "All-time Philadelphia Union roster".

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