"Philadelphia Union unveil name, logo"

[Economics_Nerd82]

http://web.mlsnet.com/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20090511&content_id=251661&vkey=news_mls&fext=.jsp

[whiskeyboarder]

As a Philadelphia sports fan and a general follower of soccer, I am really excited about this.  It will increase my interest in MLS tremendously.

If any of you are familiar with the Philly area, you should realize how much this stadium means to the Chester area where it is being built.  Chester is tremendously crime-ridden.  But they have recently built a casino and horseracing track on the Delaware and now they are adding the stadium.  I hope this contributes to the revitalization of the area.

I have been a "Son of Ben" (Philadelphia Union fanclub) for about a year now.  This is awesome.  Now I don't have to cheer for the DC United by default any longer.  Woohoo!

[Economics_Nerd82]

As a Philadelphia sports fan and a general follower of soccer, I am really excited about this.  It will increase my interest in MLS tremendously.

If any of you are familiar with the Philly area, you should realize how much this stadium means to the Chester area where it is being built.  Chester is tremendously crime-ridden.  But they have recently built a casino and horseracing track on the Delaware and now they are adding the stadium.  I hope this contributes to the revitalization of the area.

I have been a "Son of Ben" (Philadelphia Union fanclub) for about a year now.  This is awesome.  Now I don't have to cheer for the DC United by default any longer.  Woohoo!

What part of Philly are you in? I was born and lived in Bucks county for a little while.

I haven't always been a fan of soccer, but over the years it has grown on me and now consider myself a big fan. I think over the years MLS has grown stronger and stronger particularly in certain markets. I think next year and the following years Philadelphia will be counted in one of those successful markets.

I think one of the most underreported sports stories this year is the success of the Seattle club. They are averaging over 28,000 people per game and are opening more seats because they are selling out every game.

[80mins]

I'm excited as well--I've never been big on soccer, but as a Philly sports fan this excites me. Plus Chester as a location intrigues me; I grew up in Wilmington, and my parents now live in Claymont, so the new stadium is about 15 minutes from their house.

Interestingly enough it wasn't until I clicked the link that I got it--I immediately thought union as in labor union, since Philly prides itself on being a blue-collar town.

[whiskeyboarder]

I don't currently live in Philly. I'm in Tampa, just completed school.

I was born in Media (Riddle Hospital) and spent my elementary days in Berks County.  Someone mentioned Claymont, which is awesome because my brother lives there.  There's a whole-in-the-wall members' only divebar there (I can't recall the name) that is my brother's favorite and a place I love to visit when I return to the area.

Having spent a lot of time in th D.C. area, I can attest to the United's fanbase. There's definitely passion there. I can foresee the same thing for the Philadelphia Union. 

With just a tiny bit of proper management, professional soccer almost can't help but find success in America.  If I recall correctly, it is currently the single most played youth sport in the USA.  A home-grown, stay-in-America superstar would probably help put the sport over the top.  I went to the USA / Ecuador friendly at Raymond James a few years back and the experience ranks up there with any live sporting event that I have been at.  Speaking of which, Landon Donovan almost fits the bill for the type of player I am describing that could really help to put American soccer on the map.  I wish he would have just found a way to market himself a bit better.

Side note: the night before the USA / Ecuador game, a few friends and I went out to the basketball courts on the USF campus near the new soccer field.  While we were shooting hoops, we noticed a bit of fanfare congregated around a soccer team running through some drills on the practice field right next to us.  Low and behold, it was the Ecuadorian national team.  It was kinda cool to be all of ten feet from a country's national sports team. 

[Economics_Nerd82]

I'm excited as well--I've never been big on soccer, but as a Philly sports fan this excites me. Plus Chester as a location intrigues me; I grew up in Wilmington, and my parents now live in Claymont, so the new stadium is about 15 minutes from their house.

Interestingly enough it wasn't until I clicked the link that I got it--I immediately thought union as in labor union, since Philly prides itself on being a blue-collar town.

Do you still live in the area?

I would be interested to know what kind of reception the team is getting with non-hardcore soccer fans.

[80mins]

I no longer live up there (I'm in NC now) so I don't know. I'd be interested in this as well. I'm interested, though, that with the Sons of Ben at a reported 4K strong, how many of those are there because they love soccer and how many are there because they love Philly sports and will support whoever comes down the pike.

[Economics_Nerd82]

Stadium mock up:

[lotsofbull99]

Soccer is lame, and borderline unamerican.

[whiskeyboarder]

I hope the stadium is even close to as amazing as it looks in that sketch.  It brings back memories of taking my Dad's boat out to Tinnicum Island and watching fireworks from the Vet after Phillies games.