Union to face Everton at PPL Park on July 20

The Philadelphia Union today has announced the team will host English Premier League club Everton on Wednesday, July 20th at 7:30 p.m. EST, at PPL Park.

The match, featuring U.S. Men’s National Team goalkeeper Tim Howard and Australian international Tim Cahill for Everton, is included in the Union full season ticket package at no additional cost. 

Full season ticket holders will also be invited to attend Everton’s practice session at PPL Park on Tuesday, July 19th.  Five-time FA Cup champions and winners of nine top flight league titles in England, the Blues currently sit in seventh place in the Premier League, just five points behind local rivals Liverpool F.C.

“It’s our ongoing commitment to bring world-class international competition to Philadelphia,” said Philadelphia Union CEO & Operating Partner Nick Sakiewicz. “We are very proud to host Everton in what will be a challenge for our club and a treat for our fans. We’re also thrilled to be able to include this match in our season ticket package to reward those who support the club week-in and week-out at PPL Park.”

The Toffees are led in goal by North Brunswick, N.J. native Howard, who, after starting his career in Major League Soccer with the NY/NJ MetroStars, moved to Manchester United in 2003.  After three years at Old Trafford, Howard headed to Everton on loan in 2006 and made his move to Goodison Park permanent in February of 2007.

“Philadelphia Union is a fantastic club and I’m really looking forward to playing against them,” said Howard. “Nick Sakiewicz brought me through the ranks when I was younger, I’m friends with members of their coaching staff, and one of my best friends, Danny Califf, plays for them. It's a club whose results I always look out for and hope they do well.

“It will be a tough game for us. They're going to be in the mold of their manager, Peter Nowak. He's a tough, hard-nosed former Polish international who doesn't back down. I know for a fact from being very close to him that he expects nothing less from his team as well.”

PPL Park is the Toffees’ first stop on their United States tour. The English side will also visit D.C. United on July 23rd at RFK Stadium.