Sports with Bob McFlurry
The official name of the Philadelphia Sports Franchise was revealed in a ceremony at City Hall today, the “Philadelphia Union“. I’m with that. Philadelphia is where the United States of America was born.
The team name alludes to the Union of the Original 13 colonies, Philadelphia being it’s capital (yea that’s right dude at the bar Thursday night, Philadelphia was the Original Capital, not Washington DC). The team’s colors are Navy Blue and Gold, the primary colors of the Continental Army uniform.
Benjamin Franklin first suggested a “Plan For Colonial Union” in 1754. Letters sent by Franklin to then Governor of Massachusetts William Shirley laid out an early plan for a national government that was to be supported by British Parliament. The plan was ultimately not ratified by the colonies but the rattlesnake on the Union Logo pays homage to Ben Franklin’s 1754 political cartoon in the Pennsylvania Gazette. It became a national symbol of the American Revolution conveying the apparent dangers of disunity. Not surprisingly, the group lobbying the hardest to get the MLS team here is the “Sons of Ben”.
The Stadium is not in the City of Philadelphia though. It’s located about 20 minutes down I-95 in lovely Chester, Pa. Chester, classified in 1980 as a third class city has gone through a sort of resurgence lately. Harrah’s Casino and Horse Track opened within the last two years. A series of riverfront plans have failed until Governor Rendell stepped in with State Funds to build the Stadium and riverfront commerce center.
Overall, I guess you’ve got to be happy with the stadium and new MLS team. I’m not a huge soccer fan but if the Union get into the playoffs I have no problem jumping on the bandwagon.
BeerSlugger.com is rallying support to be the official tailgate sponsor of the team. If you are a bar owner, brewer or beer distributor owner and want to sponsor an event, please contact info@beerslugger.com.