Philadelphia Union

[EPJr]

Sunday’s christening of PPL Park will be a momentous occasion for all Philadelphia soccer fans.
Union open PPL Park against desperate-for-points Sounders

http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter...oints-sounders

[CelticKing]

Liking the stadium.

[agoo101284]

I'm liking it as well. Moving there next week and I'm hoping to see a few matches while I'm there.

[EPJr]

I'm liking it as well. Moving there next week and I'm hoping to see a few matches while I'm there.

I hope you have a hookup to get a tix

[EPJr]

PHILADELPHIA UNION 3
FC SEATTLE SOUNDERS 1



CHESTER, Pa--- Sebastien LeToux scored on a penalty kick and set up the Philadelphia Union’s two other goals as they defeated FC Seattle Sounders 3-1 in the inaugural game at PPL Park Sunday.

http://www.bigapplesoccer.com/sectio...ticle_id=24164

[EPJr]

Union Partner With Bimbo Bakeries as Official Jersey Sponsor

Baking company signs on as official bread and baked goods sponsor of the Union and MLS

Chester, Pa. (January 11, 2011) - Philadelphia Union and Bimbo Bakeries USA today announced a four-year partnership agreement that will put one of the world’s largest baking companies on the front of the Union team jersey and all team apparel. Philadelphia Union are the fifth professional soccer team to don the Bimbo logo, as Grupo Bimbo, the company’s Mexican parent is also the jersey sponsor for three of Mexico’s Primera Division teams, America, Chivas de Guadalajara and Monterrey, as well as Costa Rican professional team Deportiva Saprissa.


http://www.philadelphiaunion.com/new...jersey-sponsor

[EPJr]

Union Enjoy Another SuperDraft

When all was said and done in Baltimore, the Philadelphia Union seemed pleased with the way the 2011 SuperDraft went. Philly picked up three players, adding depth to three different positions on the field.

They started with the number five overall pick in the draft where they tabbed University of Maryland goalkeeper Zac MacMath. Labeled as the best GK in the draft, MacMath left school with one year of eligibility left, feeling that now was the time to go pro. He is a member of the USA U-20 team.

The 19-year-old is expected to be one-third of a goalkeeping trio that includes returnee Brad Knighton and long rumored signee Faryd Mondragon.

With their second pick, the Union tabbed University of North Carolina midfielder Michael Farfan. By all accounts, Farfan was expected to go somewhere in the first round, so Union management was both surprised and pleased that he was still available when it was their turn to pick in round two. Farfan is a versatile player who might be able to play in a few different attacking spots.

With their third pick, Philadelphia opted for forward Levi Houapeu out of the University of Maryland Baltimore County. Houapeu has good speed and finishing skills that saw him connect for 15 goals in each of his last two college seasons.

The newest members of the Union were presented to Union supporters last night at Tir Na Nog in downtown Baltimore.


http://www.philadelphiaunion.com/new...r-superdraft-0

[EPJr]

ON THE ROAD WITH THE SOB's

Philadelphiaunion.com joins the Union's supporters club on draft day
By Kevin Kinkead

http://www.philadelphiaunion.com/new...draft-sons-ben

[EPJr]

Hackworth gets his man in Agorsor

Union keen on former Virginia star, despite injury

John Hackworth has seen many players score many goals, in many different games.

But for the Philadelphia Union assistant coach and former technical director of the U.S. Soccer Federation’s Bradenton Academy, certain ones stand out.

Just like the time Chris Agorsor scored four times for the Baltimore Bays in the Development Academy finals in 2008.

“And they weren’t just garbage goals,” Hackworth told MLSsoccer.com. “It was a high-level game and he was excellent.”

Since then, however, Agorsor’s soccer career has been both arduous and circuitous.

Considered by some to be the top recruit in the nation only three years ago, the Baltimore native signed on to play for Virginia in 2008. A serious knee injury and then a subsequent ankle sprain stalled his progress at UVA, where he stayed for just two seasons before trying to catch on in Europe.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...is-man-agorsor

[EPJr]

Lions Defeat Union To Open Preseason

Neal's goal earns Orlando City win against Philadelphia

Orlando City News Release -- www.orlandocitysoccer.com

Saturday, February 19, 2011

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Orlando City’s history got off on the right foot as they defeated Major League Soccer’s Philadelphia Union 1-0 in a preseason exhibition at the Citrus Bowl.

Philadelphia was reduced to 10 men early in the game when Carlos Valdes brought down Orlando’s Max Griffin just outside the penalty area. Valdes was shown a red card for denying a goal scoring opportunity, changing the tone of the game quickly. On the resulting free kick, Lewis Neal bent the shot over the Union wall and past keeper Fayrd Mondragon for Orlando City’s first ever goal.

The Lions controlled the run of play the entire match. When Philadelphia went down a man, the Lions hold on the game only got tighter. Standing out for City was winger Jamie Watson. The former Generation Adidas member looked very much the seasoned professional, with creative passing and a constant work rate.

Despite the creativity, the Lions could not convert their many chances. The players chalked it up to being early in the preseason.

“That was the first time [this preseason] I’d passed to Max [Griffin], and it showed,” said Watson. “We both missed a couple chances that we should have converted.”

Griffin was a late addition to the Orlando City camp, arriving mid-wee

http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/502209.html

[EPJr]

Chester, Pa. (February 22, 2011) – Philadelphia Union announced today the signing of Guatemalan forward Carlos “El Pescadito” Ruiz on a free transfer from Greek SuperLiga club Aris FC. Ruiz, voted Major League Soccer’s Most Valuable Player in his first season, returns to the League after two years playing abroad. Ruiz will be eligible to play pending receiving his International Transfer Certificate. Per MLS and club policy, terms of the deal will not be disclosed.


WATCH: Ruiz Highlights (http://phitv.neulion.com/mlsvp/conso...=1384&id=11683)

Ruiz signed with the LA Galaxy in 2002 and made an immediate impact, scoring 24 goals and earning the League’s MVP and Golden Boot awards. His stellar season led the Galaxy to the MLS Cup title, an accomplishment he shared with current Philadelphia Union captain Danny Califf. Ruiz secured another Golden Boot award the following season, scoring 15 goals to tie Taylor Twellman for the top total in MLS

http://www.philadelphiaunion.com/new...rd-carlos-ruiz

[EPJr]

Union Cruise to 5-0 Win vs. Hersonissos

Union youngsters take over in the second half with five tallies

Heraklion, Crete (March 2, 2011) – Philadelphia Union breezed past Greek Third Division side Hersonissos F.C. 5-0 at Ergotelis F.C.’s training facilities on Wednesday. All five goals were scored in the second half, with two apiece from forwards Chris Agorsor and Jack McInerney and the final tally from Danny Mwanga.

The Union dominated the tempo throughout the match, maintaining a significant possession advantage over the home side. The first opportunity for Nowak’s squad came in the 19th minute, initiated by a pass from Carlos Ruiz to Zach Pfeffer. The young midfielder dribbled his way around the left side of the box and attempted to find Mwanga, but the two weren’t able to link up for a first half strike.

http://www.philadelphiaunion.com/new...vs-hersonissos

[EPJr]

Union Add CSN, TCN to Local Television Platform

Comcast SportsNet and The Comcast Network join 6abc to televise 27 Union games locally

Chester, Pa. (March 10, 2011) – Philadelphia Union has added Comcast SportsNet and the Comcast Network to their family of local television partners, the club announced today. Comcast SportsNet and The Comcast Network will join current Union broadcast partner 6abc to air all Philadelphia Union games that are not televised nationally. WPVI-TV/6abc continues in its second season as the Union’s official broadcast partner and will air seven of the team’s 34 total matches this season, while Comcast SportsNet and The Comcast Network will air 20 matches. All matches will be broadcast in high definition.

http://www.philadelphiaunion.com/new...ision-platform

[EPJr]

Union shock Dynamo, open season with a road win


HOUSTON – The Philadelphia Union preserved a fifth-minute Danny Califf goal to defeat the Houston Dynamo, 1-0, and open their season with a road win in front of 19,385 fans at Robertson Stadium on Saturday night.

Philadelphia took control of possession early by putting immediate pressure on the new Dynamo defense. The Union got on the board when Califf drove home the rebound of a Sebastien Le Toux shot.

Le Toux found some space in the box off a long Union throw-in and put a rocket off the crossbar. Califf won the scrum for the loose ball and gave the visiting team the early one goal lead.

The Dynamo settled down after the goal controlling the play for the balance of the match. On the road and up a goal, the Union were content to concede possession often dropping nine or 10 players behind the ball.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter...eason-road-win

[EPJr]

Sons of Ben growing along with Union in Year 2

Philadelphia supporters group has more intricate plans for 2011

Just like the team they root for, the Sons of Ben hope an infusion of passionate newcomers can help raise the level of their club from a fledgling start-up into a bona fide league power.

And after a successful but trying inaugural season, the Philadelphia Union’s supporters group is ready to do just that, starting Saturday with the club’s home opener vs. Vancouver (4 pm ET, Direct Kick, MatchDay Live).

“It was tough getting up and running at first – getting everybody on board and understanding what it’s all about being a supporter,” Sons of Ben president Bryan James told MLSsoccer.com. “I’d be surprised if it did anything but increase this year.”

According to James, the group already has 2,000 members – a number they didn’t hit last season until June. There are currently 10,000 people on the Sons of Ben’s mailing list.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...g-union-year-2

[EPJr]

EXPANSION TEAMS ARE ALLOWED TO CHOOSE A 3rd KIT THEIR SECOND YEAR.
THIS THE UNION'S:

[Sex Panther]

Havent really followed MLS as much as i'd like, how many teams will be in the league by 2013?

[EPJr]

Havent really followed MLS as much as i'd like, how many teams will be in the league by 2013?

twenty

[EPJr]

PPL Park in Chester could expand for Villanova football


While the Big East continues its fact-finding about Villanova football possibly joining the conference, the likely venue for the Wildcats could be expanding.

Union CEO and managing partner Nick Sakiewicz told the Daily News yesterday that increasing the capacity of PPL Park always has been a possibility, no matter what Villanova does.

"Villanova could feasibly accelerate those plans as another tenant in the building."


Read more: http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/...#ixzz1JKJZ1seZ

[EPJr]

Kick Off: Philly have PPL expansion plans

Reports say Union plan to increase capacity to 30,000

Now comes news this morning that the Philadelphia Union are exploring plans to expand PPL Park to become a 30,000-seat venue. Here are the details of the three-phase plan.

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/pe...123303978.html

[EPJr]

For Eskandarian, reunion with Nowak blast from the past

Duo helped DC win MLS Cup in 2004, now together in Philadelphia

Eskandarian is certainly thrilled to be striving for a championship with an organization he calls “first-class.” One of his primary responsibilities as youth director, he said, will be overseeing the Union’s U-16 and U-18 academy teams and providing a bridge to the first team for the top players in the system. Already, he’s been shuttling back and forth from PPL Park to the academy facilities at YSC Sports, and enjoying every minute of it.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...wak-blast-past

[EPJr]

BREAKING: Carlos Ruiz on his way out of Philadelphia

After 2-1 loss to Rapids, Union manager Nowak reveals striker will soon depart

CHESTER, Pa. — After Roger Torres scored a stoppage-time goal in the Philadelphia Union’s 2-1 loss to the Colorado Rapids on Friday, the midfielder extended his hand above his head to look like a fish fin, mimicking Carlos’s Ruiz goal-scoring celebration.

It turned out to be a farewell tribute to Ruiz

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...t-philadelphia

[EPJr]

Freddy Adu to return to MLS, join Philadelphia Union


U.S. national team forward Freddy Adu is returning to America to play in MLS.

Adu, 22, agreed to a contract with the Philadelphia Union on Thursday afternoon, team sources confirmed to Sporting News. He will be introduced to Union fans on Friday in a press conference at PPL Park.

Freddy Adu is headed to an MLS contender. (AP Photo)

Chivas USA had the first shot at Adu, having the top spot in MLS' allocation order for returning national team players, but his salary exceeded the club's budget, according to The Washington Post. Philadelphia was second on the allocation order and quickly reached a deal for Adu.


Read more: http://aol.sportingnews.com/soccer/s...#ixzz1UkwpCimw

[EPJr]

Much Adu In Philly
It's official: Freddy Adu reunites with Nowak and joins the Union


CHESTER, Pa. – It’s official: Freddy Adu is returning to the league where his career began and reuniting with his first professional coach.

On Friday morning, the Philadelphia Union announced the blockbuster signing of the 22-year-old Adu, who will join the Union on a free transfer from Portuguese giants Benfica. Though terms of the deal were not disclosed, the club confirmed that Adu will not be a Designated Player.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...adelphia-union

[EPJr]

Happiness is a warm reception in Philadelphia for Adu
Young US attacker puts on solid showing in debut with Union


CHESTER, Pa. – In his first MLS game since 2007, Freddy Adu didn’t score a goal, notch an assist or do anything jaw-dropping.

But for a 22-year-old who’s been through so much on and off the field, Saturday’s game at PPL Park still marked a near-perfect Philadelphia Union debut.

“There’s nothing better,” Adu said following Philly’s 2-2 draw with FC Dallas, “than being a professional athlete in America, man.”

Watch Full Match Highlights: http://www.mlssoccer.com/videos?catid=1822&id=18203

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...iladelphia-adu