Goal.commentary: What's In A Name? Everything

by Shane Evans

There are two things that I'm extremely passionate about in this world (besides Goal.com, of course):

1. Football. Or soccer, whatever your preferred nomenclature is. And;
2. The city of Philadelphia and everything about it, being that I'm a devoted citizen.

Well, when those two things come together, like they will in 2010 when the MLS finally expands to the City of Brotherly Love, I'm obviously going to take of an (obsessed) interest.

The decision to bring a team to Philadelphia was, according to MLS commissioner Don Garber a "not if it happens but when it happens" scenario and finally back in late February our beloved comish announced that Philly would get the 16th franchise, following Seattle who will join next season.

Before the announcement was made official, all the ducks had to be in order so the suits at the MLS would agree that Philadelphia was the best place for the next franchise of this ever-growing league.

Obviously the main decision to be made was where the team would actually play if there was to be a Philly region team. Rowan University in southern New Jersey was an option, and a very unpopular one at that. Bristol, an area north of Center City was another choice, but 23 miles north? Come on now.

Thankfully, it was finally decided that the soon-to-be happening Chester waterfront area was the best choice and investors have dived into the area, which will soon break ground on a brand-new $115 million soccer-specific stadium.

So we've got the team. We've got the stadium. What's left? Oh yes, that's right...a name. What are we going to call the team that represents the soccer hooligan-esque sports town of Philadelphia?

Names have been thrown around left and right, with everything from Philadelphia Athletic to The Philadelphia Liberty to my personal favorite, the Penn-Jersey Independence FC. No confirmations yet on exactly what the name will be, but apparently it's coming soon.

According to Sons of Ben president, Bryan James, it appears that none of these names will be chosen.

"We have heard that neither name will be used," said James of the choices in discussion. "The Independence moniker was a favorite of some members of the group looking to purchase the Wizards. It is not a favorite of the current group according to our sources. Additionally, the Athletic(s) name is off the table because we believe that MLB still makes good money selling retro gear. So, the field is wide open."

For those of you who aren't aware, the Sons of Ben is the independent fan club of the soon-to be-born Philly team. Founded in 2007 (three years before the team even kicks off, mind you) the group already has over 3,000 faithful members, myself included, who are eagerly anticipating the year 2010.

So where do we go from here? What we do is, break it down into two categories. The first, what names shouldn't be chosen. The other...the ones that should. Quite simple really.

I think that one of the most important things to consider when naming a new MLS team is the tradition involved. Soccer is one of the world's oldest professional sports and is played basically everywhere on the planet. Some of the biggest clubs out there have the simplest of names. Manchester United, Real Madrid, AC Milan, all very basic and efficient, but when you hear those names they automatically evoke a sense of nobility and worth. Obviously that's because the clubs have had so much success during their histories. But the name certainly helps. It adds to the prestige that follows the club everywhere. That's what needs to be done with this Philadelphia franchise.

You can't hope to gain respect of the sporting world with a name like the Philadelphia Freedoms, or even the Philadelphia Liberty. It needs to be something real, something classy. That is why when naming this team, it should stay simple and clean.

The whole naming business in this country works for the sports we play. You're allowed to have catchy names like the Chargers and Brewers and Raptors, because it fits with the culture of those sports and this country. But when it comes to soccer, the simplicity of a short and precise team name is all you need.

The MLS have done well with that lately. I love Real Salt Lake and FC Dallas and DC United. All fantastic names that fit with the trend, that in my opinion works the best. It gives this league a small dose of credibility when it needs it most.

The Philly franchise should definitely follow in those footsteps. I liked Philadelphia Athletic, but apparently the legalities of that might become too much to overcome. Philadelphia United works, but the abbreviation might give fuel to our rivals fire.

So I say let's just stick with tradition and go with Philadelphia Football Club or PFC. I think it works well. We can even add the 'united' as well and it still works: Philadelphia United Football Club. Very ManU-esque, and gets the point across.

Obviously this is a big deal for all the Sons of Ben and Philadelphia soccer fans everywhere, and I'll speak for all the aforementioned here by saying, we hope that when an announcement is made, it will assure everyone that the inevitable boos coming from the Philly faithful will be directed at the opposing teams and not at our own players for the silly name spread across the front of their shirts.

Shane Evans is the associate editor of Goal.com. He can be reached at shane.evans@goal.com