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Union Team Formation
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.
Major League Soccer added Philadelphia as its sixteenth team on February 28, 2008. 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.
The Union competes in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member club of the league’s Eastern Conference. The club began play in 2010 as an expansion team of the league. The club plays their home matches at Subaru Park, a soccer-specific stadium located in Chester on the banks of the Delaware River. Jim Curtin is the Union’s head coach.
The Union finished as runners-up in the 2014, 2015 and 2018 U.S. Open Cup tournaments. In the 2014 edition, they lost to the Seattle Sounders FC 3–1 in extra time, and to Sporting Kansas City 6–7 on penalties after a 1–1 draw in the 2015 edition. They lost 3–0 to the Houston Dynamo in the final of the 2018 edition.
Established
2008
City
Philadelphia
League History
2010 – Present / Major League Soccer
Team History
2010 – Present / Philadelphia Union
Nickname
Union – “Union” alludes to the union of the Thirteen Colonies, of which Philadelphia was the first capital.
Championship
MLS Cups 0
Stadium
2010 – Present / Subaru Park
2010 / Lincoln Financial Field
Owner
2008 – Present / Jay Sugarman (Keystone Sports & Entertainment, LLC)
Retired Number
*Blue is this team’s history