Union heading to MLS playoffs, with help from former star

Paired with a loss by the rival Red Bull New York to the New England Revolution, on Wednesday night, the Philadelphia Union clinched a berth in the MLS playoffs by recording a scoreless draw against Nashville.

For the eighth time in the last 9 seasons and for the 10th time overall, the franchise will participate in the postseason.

It was poetic justice that the winning score which helped the Snakes gain a berth was recorded by the Revs' Daniel Gazdag -- a former Union hero.

Their 17th MLS season has been a rollercoaster, to say the least. In late May ahead of the break to accommodate the World Cup throughout North America, the front office dismissed Bradley Carnell as head coach after a dismal 1-10-4 start. 

Ryan Richter, who headed up the Union II club, was promoted to interim head coach, and following the international tourney, the Union did an about face -- going 12-0-3 from resumption of play through last Saturday's 2-1 loss to New England. Included in that 15-game unbeaten streak were three consecutive shutouts, clean sheets against Montreal, Cincinnati and San Diego.

The surge vaulted them into 5th place in the Eastern Conference, with Nashville, Miami, the Revs and Charlotte ahead in the standings. 

The Union have two games remaining: this Saturday at Cincinnati and Nov. 7 at home vs. Toronto. 

Brilliant bicycle kick goal from Thierry Henry

Union's McInerney named Player of the Week

Chester, Pa.  – Philadelphia Union forward Jack McInerney has been named Major League Soccer Player of the Week by the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) for Week 8 of the 2013 MLS season.

McInerney scored twice in the first half of a 3-2 victory over D.C. United on Sunday, marking the first two-goal performance of his MLS career. After scoring in three straight games, the 20-year-old striker now leads the league with six on the year, making him the youngest player ever to hold the outright lead in goals in MLS. McInerney also leads the league in game-winning goals with three on the year.

McInerney opened the scoring on Sunday after he collected a ball in space and muscled himself past two D.C. United defenders to put the Union ahead in just the seventh minute of play. McInerney would net his second of the match in the 26th, pouncing on a loose ball in the box from a long throw-in from defender Sheanon Williams.

The Union (3-2-2, 11 points) travel north to face the New England Revolution on Saturday at Gillette Stadium at 7:30 p.m. ET on The Comcast Network.

Union will debut in Seattle

The expansion Philadelpha Union will makes their Major League Soccer debut against the Seattle Sounders at Qwest Field on Thursday, March 25.

The Union's home opener will be against DC United on Aril 10 at Lincoln Financial Field since ongoing construction at the Union's eventual home stadium in Chester will not be finished.

Meanwhile, the Union also announced a partnership with the Philadelphia Eagles on a multi-year agreement to bring the best teams and the best players in the world to Lincoln Financial Field.

“Bringing our great fans together with D.C. United’s supporters should create an incredible atmosphere to kick things off,” explained CEO & Operating Partner Nick Sakiewicz. “In crafting this relationship with the Philadelphia Eagles and Soccer United Marketing, we’re ensuring that our fans will have an opportunity to see the absolute greats of our game from around the world and throughout our league for many years to come.”

"Since we now know that our stadium will not be ready in early April, we made this decision to enable the League to move forward with its plans. Construction is moving along rapidly, and I can assure everyone that we will play the vast majority of our games in Chester this season,” Sakiewicz added.

Union names Gros team coordinator

-Courtesy pf the Philadelphia Union

CHESTER, PA (June 11, 2009) – Philadelphia Union Team Manager Peter Nowak reached back for one of his former players to help build the club’s soccer operations by selecting Mechanicsburg, PA native Josh Gros as Team Coordinator. Gros, 26, will be responsible for organizing all matters involving Union players, both on and off the field.

“Josh’s competitiveness and attention to detail will complement our soccer operation perfectly,” said Philadelphia Union CEO & Operating Partner Nick Sakiewicz. “His thorough understanding of Peter’s philosophies and expectations will be invaluable, enabling him to help assess talent and serve as a liaison between Peter, our players and our front office. Bringing Josh on board represents another major step towards translating the core values of our organization to the pitch.”

Gros was a starter for D.C. United in all four of his years with the team and was an MLS All-Star in 2006. He was also a member of Nowak’s championship team in 2004. Gros’ successful career was cut short when he sustained a concussion that caused nagging migraine headaches. The injury forced the tireless worker to the sidelines and he retired shortly thereafter.

“As a player, Josh was well known for his relentlessness, both on the ball and off,” explained Nowak. “He worked just as hard on both sides of the ball and that work ethic will allow him to balance the wide variety of responsibilities he will receive with our club. Ultimately, he will help us set a very high standard for our players.”

As a collegian, Gros received multiple honors including 2003-2004 Rutgers University Student Athlete of the Year, 2004 Big East Offensive Player of the Year, a 2003-2004 Big East Scholar-Athlete award and being selected as part of the 2004 Big East First-team.

“I was very serious about being a student-athlete and MLS player, and I will take my role with Philadelphia Union just as seriously” said Gros, who earned a degree in Civil Engineering from Rutgers University. “Reuniting with Peter, a man I greatly respect and admire, provides me with a unique opportunity to get back into the game near my hometown and help build Philadelphia Union into a winning club. I’m extremely excited and ready to go.”

Gros most recently worked as a civil engineer for VIKA, Inc., where he worked on designing projects to be completed for the US Navy, US Air Force and the private sector. In soccer circles, Gros was well known for outworking the opposition, a characteristic he displayed during the 2006 MLS All-Star game vs. famed Premiership side Chelsea. He was so productive setting the pace on the pitch with DC United that he earned a U.S. Men’s National Team cap in a 2-0 victory over Mexico on February 7, 2007.

MLS Philadelphia hires director of operations and CFO

Keystone Sports and Entertainment, LLC, the Major League Soccer Philadelphia 2010 ownership group, hired Rob Smith as Director of Operations and Dave Debusschere as Chief Financial Officer on Monday.

Smith and Debusschere will officially begin their new assignments on June 2.

"We said from day one that this organization would be world-class in every way," said CEO Nick Sakiewicz. "Rob Smith and Dave Debusschere are key pieces in taking us where we want to go. Rob has roots here in the Philadelphia region but is recognized across the country for his outstanding work with FC DELCO. And Dave (Debusschere's) 10-plus years of financial experience, combined with his passion and understanding of sports, make him our ideal CFO."

Dark Horse catches Gold and Blue Flu

By Steven Lienert
The Phanatic Magazine

The Dark Horse Cafe got an unexpected influx of Happy Hour bar-hoppers on Thursday afternoon.

That's where the Sons of Ben -- Philadelphia's soccer fans -- took their after-news conference party.

They were at the news conference in Chester in droves -- all wearing blue and gold (the city's colors), all singing and chanting -- as Major League Soccer officials announced that Philadelphia will get an MLS franchise starting in 2010.

But that didn't stop a bunch of SoBs from treating it as if Philly had just won an MLS Cup.

"We are thrilled to welcome Philadelphia to Major League Soccer," MLS Commissioner Dan Garber said. "Philadelphia brings in one of the most passionate sports markets in the country and provides a natural rivalry with the New York Red Bulls and D.C. United."

Especially since there was a supporters' group already in place.

The Philadelphia club will be owned by iStar Financial CEO Jay Sugarman, Swarthmore Group Chairman James Nevels, Philadelphia attorney William Doran, veteran sports executive Nick Sakiewicz and Christopher and Robert Buccini, founding partners of The Buccini/Pollin Group.
The team will play in a new 20,000-seat stadium in Chester, which the government hopes wil stimulate economic growth in the area.

"Major League Soccer is truly a league with the wind behind its sail," Sugarman said. "I am very excited to join the distinguished list of existing MLS owners and to help guide the League's growth into one of America's great sports cities. We're going to build a first-class organization on and off the field and we will create a development that makes the community proud."

Despite not having a name, colors, or a logo, there are 2,500 fans already signed up on the season-ticket waiting list and, as of Thursday, a new web site has been launched : www.MLSPhilly2010.com

The first post on the message board said it all.

"It's about time," a guy named Lenn Dogs posted. "Hopefully the passion of the Philly sports fans will carry over to the MLS."

The Sons of Ben would argue that it already has.

It's official: MLS coming to Chester

-Courtesy of Major League Soccer

CHESTER, PA - Major League Soccer unveiled plans for the league's 16th team today, as MLS Commissioner Don Garber awarded Philadelphia an expansion team that will begin play in 2010. The Philadelphia MLS team will play in a new 20,000-seat stadium to be constructed as part of a major development project in Chester, PA.

The Philadelphia club will be owned by iStar Financial CEO Jay Sugarman, Swarthmore Group Chairman James Nevels, Philadelphia attorney William Doran, veteran sports executive Nick Sakiewicz and Christopher and Robert Buccini, founding partners of The Buccini/Pollin Group.

"We are thrilled to welcome Philadelphia to Major League Soccer," said Commissioner Garber. "Philadelphia brings in one of the most passionate sports markets in the country and provides a natural rivalry with the New York Red Bulls and D.C. United.

"Thanks to the steadfast commitment of Jay Sugarman's group and the vision of Pennsylvania government officials, MLS is coming soon to Philadelphia," Garber added. "We look forward to celebrating the world's most popular sport in the country's fourth-largest market and in a state-of-the-art soccer-specific stadium."

"Major League Soccer is truly a league with the wind behind its sail," said lead investor Jay Sugarman, CEO of iStar Financial. "I am very excited to join the distinguished list of existing MLS owners and to help guide the League's growth into one of America's great sports cities. We're going to build a first-class organization on and off the field and we will create a development that makes the community proud."

The MLS Philadelphia club will play their home matches in a 20,000-seat soccer-specific stadium in Chester, just 13 miles from downtown Philadelphia and easily accessible from Interstate 95 and public transportation via the R2 SEPTA train and SEPTA buses. The stadium will serve as the hub of a $500 million waterfront development project that will also feature townhomes, apartments, office space, a convention and exposition center, retail space, new streets, greenways and a riverside promenade that will include boat slips.

Eastern Pennsylvania and the Philadelphia area have a rich soccer tradition that has produced some of the country's best players throughout the years, including 2006 U.S. World Cup team members Ben Olsen of D.C. United, Chris Albright of the New England Revolution and former D.C. United and current Reading FC midfielder Bobby Convey. Professional soccer in Philadelphia dates back to the 1920's and the formation of the American Soccer League with charter member Philadelphia F.C. In addition, the National Soccer Hall of Fame was organized by the Philadelphia Old-Timers Association in 1950.

"It's all about the fans and the community," said Nick Sakiewicz, CEO & Operating Partner. "And this ownership group is passionately committed to doing things in a major-league way. It will be the people's team, with a world-class stadium. You'll see a work-hard-play-hard mentality that will showcase attractive, winning football with a determination that Philadelphia-area sports fans demand and will be proud of."

With the announcement of the 16th team, MLS added its sixth team since the start of the 2005 season. Expansion conversations continue with approximately 10 markets throughout the United States and Canada. MLS officials will continue those discussions as the League could feature as many as 18 clubs by 2011.

"As evidenced by our patience in the case of Philadelphia, we will only expand when we believe the circumstances are right," Garber said. "We continue to seek the essential combination of strong ownership, an appropriate facility controlled by that ownership, and a market with a tradition of supporting the sport. St. Louis is one of the leading candidates we are considering and we are hopeful that all elements will come together soon for the city to join the League."

The fourth largest metropolitan area in the United States with 6.8 million people, the Delaware Valley features a diverse population and some of the most fervent sports fans in the country. Philadelphia has hosted many international soccer matches, including the Manchester United vs. Barcelona game in front of more than 68,000 fans that opened Lincoln Financial Field in 2003 and the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2003.

Majority Investor Jay Sugarman is the Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of iStar Financial, a publicly traded investment firm providing custom-tailored capital to high-end private and corporate owners of real estate in the United States. iStar also invests in other targeted areas through its European, AutoStar (auto dealership) and TimberStar (timber) platforms, and in the leveraged finance markets through its affiliate, Oak Hill Advisors. iStar's current investment portfolio exceeds $20 billion.

James Nevels is the Founder and Chairman of The Swarthmore Group, an investment advisor firm based in Philadelphia. Nevels was appointed by President Bush to the Advisory Committee to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation and served a three year term, 2004-2007. He served as Chairman from 2005-2007. In December 2001, Nevels was appointed by the Governor of Pennsylvania as Chairman of the Philadelphia School Reform Commission which has been charged with overseeing the turnaround of the Philadelphia School System, the eighth largest school district in the United States.

As a founding executive of Major League Soccer and part of the League since its inception more than 12 years ago, Nick Sakiewicz is a two-time winner of the MLS Executive of the Year award. He has served as the president and general manager for both the Tampa Bay Mutiny and MetroStars (now known as Red Bull New York). Most recently, Sakiewicz was responsible for all business operations for AEG in the New York/New Jersey region.

Rob Buccini is a founding partner of The Buccini/Pollin Group, Inc., a privately held, full-service real estate acquisition, development and management company with offices in Wilmington, DE, Washington DC, suburban Philadelphia, Baltimore, MD and New York City. Buccini/Pollin has developed and acquired office, hotel, multi-family, townhouse, industrial, retail, and parking properties in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the largest privately held office landlord in the Philadelphia region.

Philadelphia's name, logo and colors will be unveiled at a later date, along with the coaching and administrative staff. For more information and season ticket availability, fans should visit www.MLSPhilly2010.com or call 1-877-MLS-2010.

Sons of Ben ready to welcome soccer to Philly

By Steven Lienert
The Phanatic Magazine

Major League Soccer has no idea what it has gotten itself into.

At last year's MLS Cup final between Houston and New England at Pizza Hut Park in Washington DC, emotions ran high between fans of the Dynamo and Revolution. But there was a group of fans that were causing particular problems for New Englanders, who were being constantly reminded of their prior failures in Cup finals.

Those fans wore light blue and yellow and called themselves the Sons of Ben.

Philadelphia soccer fans.

Somewhere across the pond, soccer hooligans are worried that they're about to lose their good name.

On February 28th, when the MLS announces that Philadelphia has been awarded a team that will play in Chester, there'll be a bunch of SoB's partying the news conference away.

The 700 level is reborn.

“We are so frickin' fired up,” Bryan James, President of the Sons of Ben, said. “We hope to have at least 100 guys there on Thursday. If you come, wear light blue.”

That day will end almost a two year process of getting an expansion team here in Philadelphia.

It all began on message boards when in 2006 – about the time it seemed like the Kansas City Wizards were going to be sold. When word got out that soccer might be coming, fans came out of the woodwork only to be disappointed in the end.

However, from that emerged an already galvanized group of fans. All they needed was a team to support.

“We were able to sustain the momentum through the creation of a supporters' club,” James said. “If you are new to soccer, supporters' clubs are basically the 700 level plus songs plus flags and put right next to the pitch, usually behind a goal so they can spend one whole half ruining the opponent's keeper.”

There was a reason the 700 level wasn't near the field, and these fans may just prove why.

Getting back to last year's MLS Cup final, in which the SoBs didn't have a rooting interest because, well, they didn't have a team yet, the Sons of Ben made their presence felt in true Philadelphia style.

“We ended up taking about 90 guys down in two buses,” James said. “We wore the colors of the Philadelphia flag and ended up having our seats surrounded by New England fans. For those not familiar with the league, the Revs have lost every final they have been in. They started throwing stuff st us when we reminded them of that.”

In case there's any doubt, you can check out the craziness on YouTube.

“We were the fourth largest group of fans there that day, behind the two teams playing and the home standing DC United.”

In September, 2006, Ethan Gomberg christened the supporters' club the Sons of Ben, James worked with artist Andrew Dillon on the logo before Dave Flagler and Dan Gorman helped cap off the design.

The result was the Liberty Bell-cracked skull of Ben Franklin, complete with glasses and hair, with lightning bolts on either side and key over his head (for the electricity thing) on top of a blue and gold kite (blue and gold are the colors on the city's flag). Behind Franklin's skull is a crossed oar and sickle. All in all, pretty cool. But it probably won't stay.

Still, on the site, more than 2,500 fans have signed up for the SoBs season ticket drive, meaning soccer is here to stay.

“It's the 89th minute and we have a one-goal lead,” James said.

On their Web site it says 'We got the fans. We got the City. All we need is a team.'

Their wait seems to be coming to an end.

Major League Soccer is here

The Philadelphia Inquirer is reporting that Major League Soccer has tentatively set February 28 as the date to announce that a new expansion team would be awarded to the Philadelphia region.

A news conference is expected to be held in the city of Chester, where the team would play in an 18,500-seat stadium built beside the Delaware River.

MLS one step closer to Philly

Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell unveiled a $47 million state funding package, which will help build a soccer stadium in Chester.

In the package, $25 million would toward buikding the stadium and is contingent on Major League Soccer awarding an expansion franchise to the area. The plan also includes plans for offices, stores and housing in the struggling waterfront city.

"Governor Rendell's announcement is another very positive development toward bringing Major League Soccer to the Philadelphia area," MLS commissioner Don Garber said. "The Philadelphia market just took a big step forward and is now well positioned to receive an MLS expansion team. The opportunity to be part of a large-scale urban-renewal project along the historic Chester waterfront remains extremely appealing to us. We are eager to continue our conversations with the potential ownership group to finalize an agreement and we will provide more details shortly."