Kenney announces soccer competition in Philadelphia

Philadelphia is organizing a major soccer tournament, with representatives of the melting pot of city residents.

The Philadelphia International Unity Cup is designed to bring people of all different races and ethnicities together in the universal game of soccer. Mayor Jim Kenney, who dreamed up the  idea, said it’s designed to show off the different groups in the city.

“We figured if we could create a situation where we had 32 teams that played in a pool situation, like the World Cup, every year in Philadelphia in various locations around the city and had a final game at Citizens Bank Park, which the Phillies graciously allowed us to do, we could have a very much international event within the city,” Kenney said.

The event will be held in late summer or early fall with the finals in October. Applications are now being taken for teams, and about two dozen have already signed up to represent various countries. More information and signup forms are available through the city’s recreation department.