Editing Philadelphia Union

{{Infobox SportsTeam
| name = Philadelphia Union
| sport = Soccer (MLS)
| founded = 2008 (announced); 2010 (first season)
| stadium = Subaru Park
| capacity = 18,500
| championships = 1 Supporters' Shield (2020)
| colors = Navy Blue, Gold
| mascot = Phang
| owner = Union Sports & Entertainment
| neighborhood = Chester, Delaware County
| website = https://www.philadelphiaunion.com
}}

The '''Philadelphia Union''' are a professional soccer club based in Chester, Pennsylvania (just outside Philadelphia), competing in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 2010, the Union are Philadelphia's first top-division professional soccer team and have developed into one of MLS's strongest organizations, winning the Supporters' Shield in 2020 and reaching the MLS Cup Final in 2022.<ref name="union">{{cite web |url=https://www.philadelphiaunion.com |title=Philadelphia Union |publisher=Philadelphia Union |access-date=December 23, 2025}}</ref>

== History ==

=== Formation (2008-2010) ===

Philadelphia had long sought an MLS franchise:

* '''2008*** — MLS awarded expansion franchise
* '''Keystone Sports & Entertainment*** — Original ownership
* '''2009*** — "Union" name chosen (honoring city's history)
* '''2010*** — Inaugural season began
* '''Chester*** — Chose Delaware County for stadium site

=== Early Years (2010-2015) ===

Building a foundation:

* '''2010*** — First season, played at PPL Park (now Subaru Park)
* '''Peter Nowak*** — First head coach
* '''Sebastien Le Toux*** — First star player
* Early seasons marked by inconsistency
* Building supporter culture

=== Rise to Contention (2016-Present) ===

==== Jim Curtin Era ====

* '''Jim Curtin*** — Hired 2014, became defining coach
* '''Youth development*** — Focus on homegrown players
* '''2018-2022*** — Transformed into MLS elite
* '''2020 Supporters' Shield*** — Best regular season record
* '''2022 MLS Cup Final*** — Lost to LAFC (penalty shootout)

==== Homegrown Success ====

The Union's academy became one of MLS's best:

* '''Brenden Aaronson*** — Sold to Leeds United, USMNT star
* '''Mark McKenzie*** — Sold to Belgian club
* '''Paxten Aaronson*** — Brenden's brother, rising star
* Player development generates revenue and talent
* Model for MLS academies

=== Championships and Honors ===

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! Honor !! Notes
|-
| '''2020''' || Supporters' Shield || Best MLS regular season record
|-
| '''2022''' || Eastern Conference Champion || Lost MLS Cup Final
|-
| '''2022''' || U.S. Open Cup Final || Lost to Orlando City
|}

== Subaru Park ==

=== The Stadium ===

The Union play at '''Subaru Park''' in Chester:

* '''Opened*** — 2010 (as PPL Park)
* '''Capacity*** — 18,500
* '''Location*** — Chester, Delaware County (not Philadelphia proper)
* '''Naming*** — PPL Park (2010-2016), Talen Energy Stadium (2016-2020), Subaru Park (2020-present)
* '''River views*** — Overlooks Delaware River

=== Location Debate ===

The Chester location has pros and cons:

* '''Pros*** — Soccer-specific stadium, great sightlines, dedicated facility
* '''Cons*** — Outside Philadelphia, difficult transit access, Chester's challenges
* Some fans wish for city location

== Supporter Culture ==

=== Sons of Ben ===

The '''Sons of Ben''' are the Union's primary supporters' group:

* '''Founded*** — 2007 (before team existed)
* '''Purpose*** — Advocate for MLS team in Philadelphia
* '''Named for*** — Benjamin Franklin
* '''Role*** — Created supporter culture before first game
* '''River End*** — Supporters' section at Subaru Park
* Drums, chants, tifos, atmosphere

=== The Doop ===

"Doop" became the Union's goal celebration:

* '''Song*** — "Doop" by Doop (1994 novelty hit)
* Plays after every Union goal
* Fans chant "DOOP! DOOP! DOOP!"
* Unique tradition among MLS clubs

== Notable Players ==

=== Union Stars ===

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Player !! Position !! Years !! Notable
|-
| '''Sebastien Le Toux''' || F || 2010-2012, 2015-16 || First star, fan favorite
|-
| '''Brenden Aaronson''' || M || 2019-2021 || Homegrown, sold to Europe
|-
| '''Andre Blake''' || GK || 2014-present || 2x MLS Goalkeeper of Year
|-
| '''Alejandro Bedoya''' || M || 2016-present || Captain, USMNT veteran
|-
| '''Daniel Gazdag''' || M || 2021-present || Hungarian international
|-
| '''Kacper Przybylko''' || F || 2019-2021 || Top scorer
|}

=== Homegrown Products ===

* '''Brenden Aaronson*** — Now at Leeds United/USMNT
* '''Mark McKenzie*** — Sold to Genk
* '''Paxten Aaronson*** — Rising talent
* '''Jack McGlynn*** — Midfielder
* '''Quinn Sullivan*** — Young prospect

== Rivalries ==

=== New York Red Bulls ===

* '''Geographic rivalry*** — I-95 corridor
* '''Competitive matches*** — Often heated
* Primary MLS rivalry

=== D.C. United ===

* '''Atlantic Cup*** — Regional rivalry
* Historical significance

=== New England Revolution ===

* Eastern Conference battles

== Jim Curtin ==

'''Jim Curtin''' has defined the Union's success:

* '''Hired*** — October 2014
* '''Background*** — Former Union defender, MLS journeyman
* '''Philosophy*** — Youth development, high press, physicality
* '''2020*** — MLS Coach of the Year
* Longest-tenured coach in Union history
* Transformed organization

== Getting There ==

=== To Subaru Park ===

* '''By car*** — I-95 to Chester
* '''SEPTA*** — Regional Rail to Chester, then shuttle
* '''Address*** — 1 Stadium Drive, Chester, PA 19013
* '''Parking*** — Available on-site

== Frequently Asked Questions ==

{{FAQ
|q1=Have the Philadelphia Union won an MLS Cup?
|a1=No, the Union have not won MLS Cup. They reached the 2022 MLS Cup Final but lost to LAFC in a penalty shootout. They did win the 2020 Supporters' Shield (best regular season record), their first major trophy.

|q2=Why do the Union play in Chester instead of Philadelphia?
|a2=When the franchise was created, they chose Chester (Delaware County) to build a soccer-specific stadium. While some fans wish for a Philadelphia location, Subaru Park offers a dedicated soccer venue with good sightlines. Chester is about 15 miles from Center City.

|q3=What is "DOOP"?
|a3="Doop" is the Union's goal celebration, named after the 1994 novelty song by the Dutch group Doop. The song plays after every Union goal, and fans chant "DOOP! DOOP! DOOP!" It's become a unique Union tradition.

|q4=Who are the Sons of Ben?
|a4=The Sons of Ben are the Union's primary supporters' group, founded in 2007—before the team even existed—to advocate for MLS in Philadelphia. Named for Benjamin Franklin, they created supporter culture from scratch and lead the atmosphere at Subaru Park's River End.
}}

== See Also ==

* [[Philadelphia Sports Culture]]
* [[Soccer in Philadelphia]]

== References ==
<references />

== External Links ==

* [https://www.philadelphiaunion.com Official Website]
* [https://www.sonsofben.com Sons of Ben]

{{#seo:
|title=Philadelphia Union - MLS History, Subaru Park, and Supporter Culture
|description=The Philadelphia Union are Philadelphia's MLS team, playing at Subaru Park in Chester. From the Sons of Ben to homegrown stars like Brenden Aaronson, explore Union soccer.
|keywords=Philadelphia Union, MLS, Subaru Park, Sons of Ben, Brenden Aaronson, Andre Blake, Jim Curtin, DOOP, Chester, soccer Philadelphia
|type=Article
}}

[[Category:Sports]]
[[Category:Philadelphia Union]]
[[Category:MLS]]
[[Category:Soccer]]