In the short time that the Philadelphia Union has existed, many things have gone right for the club.
Hiring a top manager. Getting a soccer specific stadium built, along with a major naming deal to go along with it. Ticket sales through the roof. An impressive showing at the franchise’s first SuperDraft.
All that before the Union has even stepped foot on the field for an MLS game. The U has followed in the footsteps of last year’s expansion franchise, Seattle Sounders FC, who had a very impressive debut season.
Of course, with all that going their way, there was bound to be one final hurdle before the Union took the field. MLS and it’s players were stuck on negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement and the players were on the verge of striking. All the work that the franchise and it’s supporters had done was about to go down the drain.
At the last minute, on Saturday, a new agreement was struck. It pretty much keeps the league the way it was, but there is now limited player movement, as well as salary increases and guaranteed contracts. It’s a win for both sides, as the players get security while the owners stayed away from free agency.
Without this agreement, professional soccer, and soccer in general, might have been dealt a death blow in the United States. Major League Soccer has steadily improved and is really starting to expand it’s reach. With another major market in Philadelphia entering the league this year, it adds even more legitimacy to the league.
In 3 days, the Union will make it’s franchise debut against Seattle, with a strong presence from the Sons of Ben in attendance out there on the left coast. The game will showcase the last two MLS expansion teams on national television on ESPN2. While I wish I could be there, I will be at Lincoln Financial Field on April 10th for the team’s home debut against DC United.
All of the hard work that has been put into Philadelphia getting a Major League Soccer franchise is about to pay off.
I’ll leave you with the Sons of Ben singing “Four Leaf Clover” at the expansion announcement. Truly awesome.
