2-year-old Philadelphia Union starts its first playoff series

Philly sports fans are a little low, but soccer could bring a bright spot. 

But there is some hope out there, at least on the corner of 7th and Market streets, where Melvin Valley was waiting for the bus.

“The Eagles, the Flyers, the Phillies… they all really basically suck right now,” said Valley. “I think the Union is a good soccer team. They’re going to make the city real proud, real happy.” The CEO of the Philadelphia Union, Nick Sakiewicz, is proud of his team already. “Well, its awesome,” said Sakiewicz. “It’s really exceptional that this organization has gotten to the post-season in just their second year.” And the post season, when it comes to Major League Soccer, is a little different than what Philadelphia fans may be used to. Each playoff game is a two-game series, with one game played at home, the other away. But how do you win a best-of-two? “If the two game series is tied after two games, the winner of the tie-breaker is total goals scored,” said Sakiewicz. “If it’s still tied after that, then it’s a 30-minute overtime period. And if it’s still tied after that, we go to penalty kicks to decide it.” Of course Sakiewicz–and Melvin Valley–hope it doesn’t get that far on Sunday when the Union take on the Houston Dynamo at the PPL stadium in Chester.