First loss is victory Philadelphia Union fans

The Philadelphia Union lost the first major league soccer game last night to the Seattle Sounders, but that hardly dimmed fans’ enthusiasm. Many people couldn’t be happier just to see the team on the field.

The Philadelphia Union lost the first major league soccer game last night to the Seattle Sounders, but that hardly dimmed fans’ enthusiasm. Many people couldn’t be happier just to see the team on the field.
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Just as the soccer players practice for their games, fans do, too. They work on their chants, and the fruits of their labors were on display Thursday night at a Society Hill bar.

“No you can’t scare me, I see the Union…I see the Union…till the day I die.”

Another signature chant sounds like a boo at first, but they are actually drawing out the “U” of “Union”.

“Uuuuuuuuuuun – ION!”

Fans of the Philadelphia Union have something most fans of the city’s other sports teams don’t have: unbridled optimism. Temple student Brian Zebleckes says it’s so new anything is possible.

No one knows what to expect, no one knows how the team is going to play, it’s a different excitement. With the Union no one knows what’s going on.

The small wood-paneled room in an English bar on 2nd street is no stranger to rowdy soccer fans. They often come to drink Irish beer and root for their favorite European teams. Matt Crowley from Upper Darby says now it’s a different experience.

“There’s more to it,” Crowley said. “A hometown feel to it, not just watching people – it’s your hometown. That’s what’s important.”

A fan support organization called the Sons of Ben have been working on bringing a team to Philadelphia for almost three years, sending petitions to politicians in Harrisburg and rallying enthusiasm at home.

Son of Ben John Klagholz said it’s going to get better once the stadium is finished.

“Once Chester gets built – it’s going to be loud,” Klaghoz said. “Wait till you see all these guys here, 18,000 strong, like this. “

Getting a team on the field: Mission Accomplished. The next step is to win a game. The next one will be at home – at Lincoln Financial Field – on April 10th against the D.C. United.