photo of the new Philadelphia stadium-#16 MLS franchise to Philadelphia

[Frank Cunha]

Pa. governor unveils funding plan for Philadelphia-area soccer stadium - AOL Sports

[Frank Cunha]

ex Metrostars president Sakie will be part of the team
PHILLY BOUND* Sakiewicz working with proposed MLS team

[Frank Cunha]

another step for the Philadelphia franchise
ANOTHER STEP CLOSER* Garber says that Philly is 'well positioned' for an expansion team

[Frank Cunha]

ex Red Bulls joins the Phila group
HE'D RATHER BE IN PHILLY* Sakiewicz joins investors group

[Frank Cunha]

just great, one more rival for the NY Red Bulls

so now in the East we got Toronto, Philadelphia, DC, New England, NY Red Bulls, the fans and the teams can travel by bus

Pro Soccer Coming Back to Philadelphia - AOL Sports

[Frank Cunha]

more from the MLS site
Major League Soccer: News: Article

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.

[pirate]

the link to Phliladelphia Major League soccer website.MLS Philladelphia 2010

[Brandinho]

New York and Philadelphia is a natural rivalry and it's a good thing they landed themselves a franchise down in southwest Pennsylvania. It's a good thing for me, I'm going to probably remain a Red Bulls fan, however living an hour away from both the Meadowlands and Chester so I can go see both teams, especially for derby days.

And it's just another Philly team that's not going to win a championship.

[Ricochet]

It's about time Philly gets a MLS club but why put it in or anywhere near Chester? Chester is a sh!thole and has an extremely high murder rate.

[Frank Cunha]

Originally Posted by Ricochet

It's about time Philly gets a MLS club but why put it in or anywhere near Chester? Chester is a sh!thole and has an extremely high murder rate.

they are rebuilding for I understand

a lot of mexican and Guatemela etc in the Trenton should be making the trip to Chester

[Brandinho]

Originally Posted by Frank Cunha

they are rebuilding for I understand

a lot of mexican and Guatemela etc in the Trenton should be making the trip to Chester

Yeah and I'm torn now. I'm also in the Trenton area but I don't know who to root for.

[pirate]

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER COMING TO PHILADELPHIA IN 2010
Team Helps Kick-Start $500 million Chester Waterfront Development Project

Get in on the Excitement – Reserve Your Season Tickets Now!

CHESTER, PA (February 28, 2008) – Major League Soccer today awarded its 16th team to Philadelphia, igniting a celebration among thousands of passionate soccer fans all across the Delaware Valley and beyond. MLS Commissioner Don Garber made the much-anticipated announcement in Chester, where the team will play in a new, 20,000-seat stadium beginning in 2010.

“We are thrilled to welcome Philadelphia to Major League Soccer,” said Commissioner Garber. “The addition of Philadelphia brings one of the most passionate sports markets in the country into the League and provides a natural rivalry with several of our clubs in this region of the country.

“This was a long process to finalize an expansion team for Philadelphia, and it was the vision of the ownership group and government officials in Pennsylvania that made this new team a reality,” Garber added. “We look forward to seeing passionate soccer fans providing an electric atmosphere at the new stadium in Chester.”

The stadium that will be home to the Philadelphia MLS team will be built at the foot of the Commodore Barry Bridge – part of a larger $500 million entertainment, retail, residential and business-development complex covering more than 60 acres along the historic Chester waterfront.

“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 steer major league soccer 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 ownership group – Keystone Sports and Entertainment, LLC – says MLS Philadelphia will be a team this region is certain to embrace. A group of more than 1,500 local soccer fans already have banded together to support the new team. The “Sons of Ben” – named for Philadelphia icon Ben Franklin – presented the ownership group with traditional football scarves.

“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.”

In addition to Sugarman and Sakiewicz, Keystone Sports and Entertainment, LLC is comprised of Swarthmore Group Chairman James Nevels, Philadelphia attorney William Doran, and Christopher and Robert Buccini and David Pollin, founding partners of The Buccini/Pollin Group, which is leading the development of the waterfront project.

“This team and this overall development is exactly the kind of kick-start Chester needs,” said Nevels. “People from all walks of life came together today here in Chester with great anticipation, not only for the new Major League Soccer team coming in 2010, but also for the resulting job-creation project that is going to change lives in this community. This ownership team is committed to giving back to this community. And I am truly honored to be a part of it.”

Today’s announcement comes less than one month after Governor Edward G. Rendell announced the state’s commitment of $47 million to support the $500 million public-private Chester waterfront development project. In October 2007, Delaware County joined with the City of Chester to dedicate $30 million toward the development.
“I look forward to having a Major League Soccer team play in the Delaware Valley because it will have a lasting and positive economic impact for both the region and the entire state,” Governor Rendell said. “When an MLS team chooses to locate in Pennsylvania, it demonstrates that our efforts to rebuild the state’s economy are paying dividends by producing new tax revenues and creating good jobs.”
Also attending today’s announcement were Senator Dominic Pileggi, Representative Thaddeus Kirkland, Chester Mayor Wendell Butler, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and representatives from Delaware County Council.

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, call 1-877-MLS-2010.

ABOUT MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER

Headquartered in New York City, Major League Soccer is the top-flight professional soccer league in the United States and features many stars from the United States and around the world. The League’s 13th season kicks off March 29. The 14 teams in MLS are: the Chicago Fire, Colorado Rapids, Chivas USA, Columbus Crew, D.C. United, FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, Kansas City Wizards, Los Angeles Galaxy, Red Bull New York, New England Revolution, Real Salt Lake, San Jose Earthquakes and Toronto FC. The League’s 15th team, Seattle, will begin play in 2009, and 16th team, Philadelphia, will begin play in 2010. For more information about MLS, log on to the League’s official web site at Major League Soccer: Home: The Official Site of Major League Soccer

[Frank Cunha]

this time to stay
some come and go
Major League Soccer: News: Article

[Frank Cunha]

Photo of the new Philadelphia stadium

Major League Soccer: News: Article

[Frank Cunha]

Philly fans get MLS soccer fix in D.C.
Over 100 fans made trip from Philadelphia to D.C. Saturday
By Andy Jasner / MLSnet.com Staff
Philadelphia fans saw Joe Vide and D.C. United defeat the Colorado Rapids. (Morales/Getty)
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WASHINGTON -- In two years, the trip will be much easier.
Even though 2010 will be here relatively soon, it's still much too long for the soccer fanatics in the Philadelphia area to wait before attending Major League Soccer games.

About 250 Philadelphia-area fans traveled to Washington, D.C., to watch D.C. United play the Colorado Rapids at RFK Stadium. It wasn't just the on-field action they were interested in, either. It was also the entire MLS experience.

The more than 4,500 "Founding Members," who already hold MLS Philadelphia seat deposits for the 2010 season at the 18,500-seat stadium to be built along the historic Chester waterfront, received VIP treatment. The fans enjoyed a pregame barbecue and tailgate in the stadium parking lost hosted by the Philadelphia ownership group.

The enthusiastic Philadelphia fans also enjoyed the game from several sections.

Especially the Sons of Ben.

This supporters group, which had about 1,600 members when the expansion team was awarded at the end of February, now features more than 3,200. Over 100 made the trip on Saturday.

Bryan James, the club's co-founder and president, remains in awe of what lies ahead.

"I've said it before and it's still true," James said. "This is a dream come true for me. To know the franchise will be here in two years is a dream."

The Screaming Eagles, D.C. United's fan supporters group, could clearly be heard from the beginning of the game to the very end. But the Sons of Ben did its best to be heard, too.

Even at the tailgate, Sons of Ben chants resonated throughout the parking lot. It continued throughout the game.

"Who are they?" one D.C. United fan asked.

"We'll drown them out," another fan said.

With such a large following, this was a glimpse into what the Sons of Ben will be able to accomplish when the 2010 season gets underway.

Ironically, James was a fan of D.C. United when MLS made its debut in 1996. Not anymore.

"We're all Philly fans now," James said. "We may have fans of D.C. United or the [New York] Red Bulls or other teams but not now. This is our team and it's a dream come true. I think the members of our fan club understand soccer and understand the league. Now, we'll all be rooting for our team. We'll know the great rivalries and what to look for."

The Philadelphia-area fans will be looking to cheer for their very own team. They won't have to take a bus ride down I-95, unless it's for a Philadelphia road game at D.C. United.

This is likely the first of many fan initiatives between now and 2010.

"I hope so," said one fan from south Jersey, who lives in the D.C. area. "I have family in the Philadelphia area and I've heard how much excitement has been generated by the MLS team. I'm definitely going to go the new stadium and cheer for the new team. I love soccer and that's why I go to the games here. To travel and see games at a brand new stadium will be unbelievable."

Believe it. About 250 Philadelphia fans making the trek on a Saturday night toward the end of summer is definitely enough proof.

Andy Jasner is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.


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