Philadelphia Union
This article needs additional citations for verification. (February 2024) |
Full name | Philadelphia Union | ||
---|---|---|---|
Nickname(s) | The Union The U Zolos | ||
Founded | February 28, 2008 | ||
Stadium | Subaru Park | ||
Capacity | 18,500[1] | ||
Owner | Jay Sugarman[2] | ||
Head coach | Jim Curtin | ||
League | Major League Soccer | ||
2023 | Eastern Conference: 4th Overall: 5th Playoffs: Conference Finals | ||
Website | Club website | ||
| |||
The Philadelphia Union is an American professional soccer club based in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. The Union compete in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Eastern Conference. Founded on February 28, 2008, the club began playing in 2010 as an expansion team. The club's home stadium is Subaru Park, a soccer-specific stadium located in Chester, Pennsylvania on the banks of the Delaware River.
The Union are currently owned by Keystone Sports & Entertainment, with Jay Sugarman serving as majority owner and chairman of the club. Professional basketball player Kevin Durant also serves as a minority owner. The club's current head coach is Jim Curtin. Curtin has been coaching the Union since 2014. The Union finished as runners-up in the 2014, 2015 and 2018 U.S. Open Cup tournaments and the 2022 MLS Cup final. In 2020, Philadelphia secured the Supporters' Shield, winning the first title in the club's history.
History
Drive for expansion
Despite being one of the ten largest metropolitan areas in the country and a top-five media market, the
The first effort to bring professional soccer back to the Delaware Valley commenced in 2001, when a group of investors attempted to bring an MLS franchise to
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.[7] 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.[8]
Major League Soccer added Philadelphia as its sixteenth team on February 28, 2008.[9] 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 Subaru Park and a major urban renewal project.[10]
In December 2009, the Union added the Reading Rage youth soccer organization as their official minor league affiliate in the
Inaugural season
The Union played their inaugural game on March 25, 2010, in which they lost 2–0 to
The Piotr Nowak era (2010–12)
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 Colombia 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 first 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 Union lost the first 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.[18]
Nowak to Hackworth (2012–14)
John Hackworth became the Union's 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.
The Union traded allocation money in order to take the first overall pick, which was used on goalkeeper and Jamaican international
Jim Curtin takes charge (2014–present)
Although failing to make the playoffs, the Union reached the
During the 2015 summer transfer window, the Union traded longtime defender
In 2016, the Union would acquire
The Union were unable to build on their 2016 success, finishing with the same record but still missing the playoffs in 2017. Despite failing to make the playoffs, Curtin was announced to retain his head coach position for the 2018 season.[19]
A snake mascot, Phang, was introduced on September 10, 2018.[20] Ahead of the 2019 season, Union Sporting Director, Ernst Tanner, announced that Curtin would be retained for the upcoming season on a one-year extension.[21] By July of that season, the Union reach first place in the Eastern Conference and hitting the club's best start to a season. This success lead to the club announcing Curtin signed a two-year contract extension, to remain head coach through the 2021 season.[22]
First trophy and success
The
Within two days prior to the Union's first ever conference final match in team history, it was reported that 11 players, including six starters had to undergo the league's COVID-19 protocol. Philadelphia lost to eventual champions New York City FC 2–1. It was later stated that it would've been impossible to delay the game, as the players would not have been available for the MLS Cup Final.[26][27]
On July 8, 2022, the Philadelphia Union defeated D.C. United 7–0, setting a club record and tying the MLS record for biggest goal differential win. The overall season proved to be special, as Philadelphia topped the Eastern table with 67 points—equal with Supporters' Shield winners Los Angeles FC (and with better goal differential but lost out due to MLS' tiebreaker of total wins). Philadelphia beat FC Cincinnati in the conference semifinals, 1–0, on a Leon Flach goal, and then defeated defending champions New York City FC 3–1 in the conference finals to advance to their first-ever MLS Cup final.
In MLS Cup, the Union erased 1−0 and 2−1 deficits and center back Jack Elliott scored twice in the match, including late in extra time. Ultimately LAFC came back to force penalties and won the Cup in a penalty shoot-out.
Colors and badge
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 as well as the area's historic role with the labor movement.[28][29] 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.[30][31]
The Union's colors are
In February 2013, the team unveiled a third uniform that commemorated
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, 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.[39]
The sponsorship deal is valued at about $12 million.[40]
Bimbo and the Union agreed in 2014 to renew their sponsorship arrangement for five years at an annual value of $2.3 million.[41]
On November 26, 2014, the Union announced the Milton, Delaware-based Dogfish Head Brewery as their official beer sponsor.[42] The deal included the establishment of a beer garden at Subaru Park.
Period | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor | Sleeve sponsor |
---|---|---|---|
2010 | Adidas | — | |
2011–2019 | Bimbo | — | |
2020–2021 | Subaru | ||
2022–2023 | — | ||
2024–present | Independence Blue Cross[43] |
Stadium
- Subaru Park; Chester, Pennsylvania (2010–present)
- Lincoln Financial Field; Philadelphia (2010)
The Union play most of their games at
In addition to Subaru Park, the Union also plays select games at
Training facility
The Philadelphia Union training fields are right outside Subaru Park; 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 Subaru Park.[48]
In 2016, the Philadelphia Union opened a 16,500 square foot training facility and offices built in the former machine shop of the Chester Waterside Station of the Philadelphia Electric Company.[49]
Youth development
Second team
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.[50] As a part of the announcement, the Union agreed to dissolve their partnership with the Harrisburg City Islanders.[51] 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
Philadelphia Union Academy
The Philadelphia Union operates an elite youth Academy[52] training and competition program starting with the Under-9 age group and running through Under-17, after which players graduate to Union II,[53] the Philadelphia Union's second team.
As for competition, the Union participates in MLS Next starting with the Under-13 age group. MLS Next is an elite North American youth soccer league organized, managed, and controlled by Major League Soccer. The league was launched in 2020. The Union's younger age groups from Under-9 through Under-12 participate in various regional leagues and tournaments, often playing one year up. The Union Academy teams train and compete in Wayne, Pennsylvania, as well as in Chester, Pennsylvania, home of Philadelphia Union's first team organization.
While the Union's competition rosters in MLS Next are composed of boys teams representing age groups Under-13 through Under-17, the Union Academy is unusual in that with many of its young players are competing with and even starting for the Union's USL Championship team, Union II. Widely considered one of the top youth academies[54] affiliated with an MLS club, the Union Academy has seen success in tournaments both domestic[55] and international.[56]
The Union Academy sources talent internally through the Union Junior Academy,[57] as well as externally through well-regarded local area programs such as FC Delco,[58] Real Jersey FC,[59] and The SWAG.[60] Families have even been known to relocate[61] to Pennsylvania to take advantage of the many benefits provided through the Union Academy such as admittance to the YSC Academy, a world class soccer training and college preparatory school that operates in an alliance with the Union Academy.
The Philadelphia Union Academy has produced numerous players for the Philadelphia Union, Union II, elite NCAA programs, and professional clubs across the world.[62]
UPSL
In late 2022 it was announced that the Union would enter a team in the United Premier Soccer League for the Fall 2022 season with home games played at YSC Sports in Wayne, PA.[63] Philadelphia Union UDS (Union Development Squad) competed in the Northeast Division of the American Conference, finishing the regular season with a record of 9–0–3 and qualifying for the postseason.[64] UDS fell in the American Conference final to New Jersey Alliance FC in a penalty kick shootout.[65]
In February 2023, the Union Development Squad joined the National Premier Soccer League for the 2023 season.[66] The team was placed in the Keystone East Conference.
YSC Academy
Between 70 and 80 of the Philadelphia Union Academy's players attend private school YSC Academy[67] which was founded by Philadelphia Union investor Richie Graham[68] in September 2013[69] as an innovative, first-of its-kind, soccer-specific school for elite soccer players from grades 7 through 12. The school is located at the Union's training complex in Chester, Pennsylvania and is designed for student-athletes who aspire to play professional-level soccer. YSC Academy's first graduating class was in 2015. A substantial portion of the school's graduates have gone on to play professionally for the Philadelphia Union and other teams, with the balance going to college.[70]
Club culture
Supporters
Grassroots support was instrumental to the founding of the Philadelphia Union and the construction of Subaru Park. This backing came in the form of a
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),[72] La Union Latina (section 114),[73] The Keystone State Ultras (section 140), and the Chester Soccer Casuals (section 140).
Rivalries
The Philadelphia Union's primary rivals are the New York Red Bulls and New York City FC. These rivalries exist primarily because of geographical proximity and the traditional animosities between the metropolitan areas of Philadelphia and New York City in other professional sports leagues.
Most Union fans have considered the New York Red Bulls to be a traditional rival due to the team's stadium being the closest in proximity to the Union's, leading to substantial away support from each team's fan bases every time the two sides play. There have been many consequential games played between the two sides, including the Union's first playoff win in team history. However, many New York Red Bulls fans do not consider the Union to be one of their main rivals, as NYCFC and D.C. United are their main antagonists.
In recent years, the Philadelphia Union's most meaningful rivalry has been with New York City FC.[74][75][76] Though early fixtures between the two clubs did spark tensions between the two sets of fans, the rivalry reached a new level after New York City controversially eliminated the Union in the 2021 Eastern Conference Final, after the latter lost 11 players, including six starters, due to MLS's COVID-19 protocols. In a fixture between the two sides at Subaru Park on June 16, 2022, an altercation occurred during a stoppage in play between New York City players and a member of the Philadelphia Union medical staff who was treating an injured player on the field. This resulted in a red card being shown to the trainer Paul Rushing, and expletives can be heard being shouted from the home fans.[77] The winning goal of the game was scored by the Union in the 96th minute, leading to an eruption from the crowd, including a smoke bomb being thrown onto the field. After the game ended, Union player José "El Brujo" Martínez was photographed showing both middle fingers to the traveling NYCFC supporters.[78] This game marks a major development in the rivalry. The Union would avenge their 2021 Eastern Conference final loss, defeating NYCFC 3–1 at home to win the 2022 Eastern Conference final, and earn their first ever appearance in an MLS Cup final.
Another rivalry with Los Angeles FC has started to take shape, more-so because of events on the field than animosity between fans, as many entertaining and heated fixtures between the two teams have occurred since LAFC joined the league. MLS Cup 2022 between LAFC and the Philadelphia Union ended in a 3–3 draw after extra time that eventually led to LA winning via a penalty shootout. LAFC also won the Supporters' Shield in 2022, being crowned champions of the regular season over the Philadelphia Union due to MLS's win record tie-breaker. This tie-breaker differs from the more common goal differential tie-breaker used in most other professional soccer leagues in the world. The Union had a higher goal-differential at the conclusion of the 2022 regular season than LAFC.[79]
The Union also has several other minor rivals. A smaller rivalry with
Broadcasting
Until the 2022 season, WPHL-TV and WPVI-TV were the main English-language television broadcasters for Union matches not carried by Major League Soccer's national media partners, with JP Dellacamera on play-by-play. The broadcasts were produced by WPVI, and part of the package was aired by the station.[81] Prior to the 2018 season, CSN Philadelphia (now NBC Sports Philadelphia) produced the games for 6ABC, removing the NBC peacock from its graphics.
During the 2012 MLS season, seventeen select home and road matches were broadcast on radio by WIP. The Union also collaborated with WIP on a weekly hour-long soccer show.[82] Beginning with the MLS is Back Tournament in July 2020, the Union moved to WDAS.[83]
From 2023, every Union match is available via MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app.
Players
Current roster
- As of April 18, 2024[84]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
Reserves
Management
Current staff
- As of December 22, 2021[85]
Position | Staff | Nationality |
---|---|---|
Head Coach | Jim Curtin | United States |
Assistant Coach | Frank Leicht | Germany |
Assistant Coach | Ryan Richter | United States |
Assistant Coach | Mehdi Mehdaoui | Mexico |
Lead Sport Scientist | Walter Grandez | United States |
Director of Goalkeeping | Phil Wheddon | United States |
Head Athletic Trainer | Paul Rushing | United States |
Team Coordinator | Josh Gros |
United States |
Sporting Director | Ernst Tanner | Germany |
Academy Director | Tommy Wilson |
Scotland |
Head coaches
This list includes all those who have managed the club since 2010, when the club joined
- As of February 8, 2020. Includes all competitive matches
M = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost;
Name | Nat | Tenure | M | W | D | L | Win | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 | 25 | 20 | 32 | 32.47% | Interim coach through August 30, 2012 |
Jim Curtin | United States | June 10, 2014 – present | 321 | 137 | 79 | 105 | 42.68% | interim coach through November 7, 2014 |
Sporting directors
Name | Nation | Tenure | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Diego Gutierrez | COL | December 2010 – July 1, 2012 | As Head of Scouting/Player Development[86][87] |
Nick Sakiewicz | USA | 2012 – October 2, 2015 | As CEO and Operating Partner supported by Chris Albright as Technical Director[88] |
Earnie Stewart | USA | October 26, 2015 – July 31, 2018 | Appointed Sporting Director[89][90] |
Ernst Tanner | GER | August 9, 2018 – present | Appointed Sporting Director[91] |
Ownership
Keystone Sports & Entertainment (S&E) owns the Philadelphia Union and Bethlehem Steel FC. Jay Sugarman, (
On June 15, 2020, it was announced that basketball player Kevin Durant had become an investor and community partner for the club, purchasing five percent of the club with potentially another five percent in the near future.[95]
Honors
National | ||
---|---|---|
Competitions | Titles | Seasons |
Supporters' Shield | 1 | 2020 |
Eastern Conference (Playoffs) | 1 | 2022 |
Eastern Conference (Regular Season) | 2 | 2020, 2022 |
Team records
Year-by-year
This is a partial list of the last five seasons completed by the Union. For the full season-by-season history, see List of Philadelphia Union seasons.
Season | League | Position | Playoffs | USOC | Continental / Other | Average attendance |
Top goalscorer(s) | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Div | League | Pld | W | L | D | GF | GA | GD | Pts | PPG | Conf. | Overall | Name(s) | Goals | ||||||
2018 | 1 | MLS | 34 | 15 | 14 | 5 | 49 | 50 | −1 | 50 | 1.47 | 6th | 11th | R1 | RU | DNQ | 16,518 | Cory Burke Fafà Picault |
10 | |
2019 | MLS | 34 | 16 | 11 | 7 | 58 | 50 | +8 | 55 | 1.62 | 3rd | 5th | QF | R4 | 17,111 | Kacper Przybyłko | 15 | |||
2020 | MLS | 23 | 14 | 4 | 5 | 44 | 20 | +24 | 47 | 2.04 | 1st | 1st | R1 | NH | Leagues Cup MLS is Back Tournament |
NH SF |
2,775 | Sergio Santos
|
11 | |
2021 | MLS | 34 | 14 | 12 | 8 | 48 | 35 | +13 | 54 | 1.59 | 2nd | 6th | CF | NH | CCL | SF | 12,903 | Kacper Przybyłko | 17 | |
2022 | MLS | 34 | 19 | 5 | 10 | 74 | 26 | +46 | 67 | 1.97 | 1st | 2nd | RU | R32 | Leagues Cup | NH
|
18,126 | Dániel Gazdag | 24 |
^ 1. Avg. attendance include statistics from league matches only.
International competitions
Competition | Season | Round | Opposition | Home | Away | Aggregate |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CONCACAF Champions Cup | 2021 | Round of 16 | Deportivo Saprissa | 4–0 | 1–0 | 5–0 |
Quarterfinals | Atlanta United FC | 1–1 | 3–0 | 4–1 | ||
Semifinals | Club América | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | ||
2023 | Round of 16 | Alianza | 4–0 | 0–0 | 4–0 | |
Quarterfinals | Atlas | 1–0 | 2–2 | 3–2 | ||
Semifinals | LAFC | 1–1 | 0–3 | 1–4 | ||
2024
|
Round One | Deportivo Saprissa | 3–3 | 3–2 | 6–5 | |
Round of 16 | C.F. Pachuca | 0–0 | 0–6 | 0–6 |
Player records
Most goals
- As of April 6, 2024 (all competitive matches)[96]
Rank | Name | Years | Goals[97] |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Sébastien Le Toux | 2010–2011 2013–2016 |
56 |
2 | Dániel Gazdag | 2021– | 55 |
3 | Julián Carranza | 2022– | 41 |
4 | Kacper Przybyłko | 2018–2021 | 40 |
5 | C.J. Sapong | 2015–2019 | 38 |
6 | Alejandro Bedoya | 2016– | 28 |
Jack McInerney | 2010–2014 | ||
8 | Cory Burke | 2018–2022 | 27 |
Mikael Uhre | 2022– | ||
10 | Conor Casey | 2013–2015 | 22 |
Ilsinho | 2016–2021 | ||
Sergio Santos |
2019–2022 |
Bold signifies current Union player
Other player records
As of October 22, 2022 Stats only include MLS regular season matches. These do not include domestic cup, international, or playoff matches.
Field players
|
Goalkeepers
|
See also
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- CONCACAF Champions League and Leagues Cupmatches