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In PPL Park Debut, The Philadelphia Union Give Fans Something To Cheer About
MLS' newest soccer-specific stadium opens with a bang.
Jun 27, 2010 9:56:00 PM
By Ramin Majd
CHESTER, Penn. -- Almost everything went wrong for the Philadelphia Union in their first-ever game in Seattle last March. Tonight, almost everything went right.
On an emotional hot and steamy night by the Delaware River, the Union earned a measure of revenge on the Sounders. The home side got a 3-1 win in the debut of PPL Park, the Union's new soccer-specific stadium in Chester, Penn.
For Philadelphia, the excitement level was high even before the team went out on the field.
“Everybody felt the tension in the locker room,” coach Peter Nowak said after the game. “If you’re not motivated playing in this kind of atmosphere, you should change your profession.”
There were concerns earlier in the week that the opening of PPL Park would be marred by violence in Chester. On Wednesday the city extended a state of emergency until July 23, putting several high-crime areas of the city under curfew.
But at halftime, team president Tom Veit insisted the situation was under control.
“We have not had any issues as of yet,” he said.
Whatever the situation outside, inside the atmosphere was electric.
“The new stadium was great,” commented Union forward Sebastien Le Toux. “It’s great for a player when so many people are behind us.”
Keeper Chris Seitz agreed.
“To see the support we had was huge for us,” he noted.
While the heady vibes attendant with opening the new stadium likely would have occurred with or without a win, the Union breaking through for three goals in the second half ensured the 18,755 in the building would respond with maximum enthusiasm.
The game turned on penalty kicks—the Union made theirs while the Sounders missed their chance.
In the 53rd minute, Seattle’s Tyrone Marshall was flagged for bringing down Philly’s Alejando Moreno in the box. Le Toux took the kick and was able to convert on Kasey Keller, his old teammate in Seattle.
“I know Kasey—we did a lot of PK [practice],” Le Toux said. “He knows my favorite side. I just waited until the last minute. He [dove] early.”
Conversely, the Sounders were not able to convert their penalty chance just minutes later. Cristian Arrieta was called for a foul on Fredy Montero in the area in the 59th minute, and Pat Noonan was selected to take the kick. But Philly keeper Seitz guessed correctly, moved to his right, and cleanly saved Noonan’s low shot.
“The coaching staff is really good at getting us footage on past games and the tendencies of certain players,” Seitz explained. “But there’s also a little bit of luck there.”
Noonan was understandably frustrated about his miss.
“We had a chance to tie the score with a PK and it’s got to be put in,” he said. “We can’t stop thinking about it. We’re disappointed.”
Union players celebrated on the pitch after the win. Danny Califf took his shirt off, jumped up and down, and led the cheers of the supporters’ section. Other players threw shirts and shoes to the Union faithful.
“Let them celebrate today,” Nowak said. “It’s a special moment. But tomorrow we go back to
work.”
For more from Goal.com contributor Ramin Majd, follow him on Twitter at @rmajd
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
On an emotional hot and steamy night by the Delaware River, the Union earned a measure of revenge on the Sounders. The home side got a 3-1 win in the debut of PPL Park, the Union's new soccer-specific stadium in Chester, Penn.
For Philadelphia, the excitement level was high even before the team went out on the field.
“Everybody felt the tension in the locker room,” coach Peter Nowak said after the game. “If you’re not motivated playing in this kind of atmosphere, you should change your profession.”
There were concerns earlier in the week that the opening of PPL Park would be marred by violence in Chester. On Wednesday the city extended a state of emergency until July 23, putting several high-crime areas of the city under curfew.
But at halftime, team president Tom Veit insisted the situation was under control.
“We have not had any issues as of yet,” he said.
Whatever the situation outside, inside the atmosphere was electric.
“The new stadium was great,” commented Union forward Sebastien Le Toux. “It’s great for a player when so many people are behind us.”
Keeper Chris Seitz agreed.
“To see the support we had was huge for us,” he noted.
While the heady vibes attendant with opening the new stadium likely would have occurred with or without a win, the Union breaking through for three goals in the second half ensured the 18,755 in the building would respond with maximum enthusiasm.
The game turned on penalty kicks—the Union made theirs while the Sounders missed their chance.
In the 53rd minute, Seattle’s Tyrone Marshall was flagged for bringing down Philly’s Alejando Moreno in the box. Le Toux took the kick and was able to convert on Kasey Keller, his old teammate in Seattle.
“I know Kasey—we did a lot of PK [practice],” Le Toux said. “He knows my favorite side. I just waited until the last minute. He [dove] early.”
Conversely, the Sounders were not able to convert their penalty chance just minutes later. Cristian Arrieta was called for a foul on Fredy Montero in the area in the 59th minute, and Pat Noonan was selected to take the kick. But Philly keeper Seitz guessed correctly, moved to his right, and cleanly saved Noonan’s low shot.
“The coaching staff is really good at getting us footage on past games and the tendencies of certain players,” Seitz explained. “But there’s also a little bit of luck there.”
Noonan was understandably frustrated about his miss.
“We had a chance to tie the score with a PK and it’s got to be put in,” he said. “We can’t stop thinking about it. We’re disappointed.”
Union players celebrated on the pitch after the win. Danny Califf took his shirt off, jumped up and down, and led the cheers of the supporters’ section. Other players threw shirts and shoes to the Union faithful.
“Let them celebrate today,” Nowak said. “It’s a special moment. But tomorrow we go back to
work.”
For more from Goal.com contributor Ramin Majd, follow him on Twitter at @rmajd
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
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