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Philadelphia Union
The Philadelphia Union, the region’s first Major League Soccer club, has been thrilling soccer fans since 2010 and clinched a playoff spot in the 2019 season.
Dedicated fans cheer on the Union at Subaru Park located in Chester along the scenic banks of the Delaware River.
The layout of the stadium provides more than half of the spectators with sweeping views of the Delaware River and the Commodore Barry Bridge.
There is also a special stadium section for the Sons of Ben, soccer fans who lobbied to bring Philadelphia its first MLS team.
Following a major grassroots effort, including a push from a supporters association known as the Sons of Ben (founded in 2007), Philadelphia was chosen as the location for Major League Soccer’s 16th team on February 28, 2008. In May 2009, a fan poll officially dubbed the team the Philadelphia Union.
Philadelphia was chosen as the location for Major League Soccer’s 16th team on February 28, 2008.
Navy blue and gold, the Union’s primary colors, represent the Continental Army’s uniforms during the Revolutionary War. The team’s crest features 13 gold stars representing the original 13 colonies, with a shield derived from the Philadelphia coat of arms.
Prominently featured in the center of the logo is a rattlesnake to honor an early cartoon from founding father Benjamin Franklin.
The Philadelphia Union played its first game on March 25, 2010, and the team scored its first-ever goal on April 10, 2010, thanks to Sébastien Le Toux. The team had a successful first season, selling out all of its ticket packages but finishing 14th overall in the league.
Notable players over the years have included goalkeeper Zac MacMath (2011-2015); Colombian footballers Faryd Mondragón (2001-2012) and Carlos Valdés (2011-2015); midfielder Freddy Adu (2011-2013) and goalkeeper Andre Blake, who joined the team in 2014.
Ahead of the 2019 season, the Union added midfielder Marco Fabián, who became the highest-paid player in franchise history.
On October 6, 2019, the Union defeated New York City FC, clinching the team’s spot in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs and closing the regular season with the most wins, points and goals in franchise history. The team celebrated with a public rally for fans.
Philadelphia Union forward Andrew Wooten fights off opponents during a match. — Photo courtesy Philadelphia Union
Fans surely won’t go hungry when they go to cheer on the Union. Subaru Park features a full-service restaurant, 30 luxury suites and a wide variety of concessions to keep fans well fed during the game.
Philly favorite Chickie’s & Pete’s operates two locations in the stadium for guests who need their Crab Fries fix, and there are also the requisite cheesesteak, hot dog and pretzel vendors.
The Visit Philly Overnight Package — booked more than 190,000 times since 2001 — comes with free hotel parking (worth up to $100 in Center City Philadelphia), overnight hotel accommodations and choose-your-own-adventure perks.