Who Are Philadelphia Union? History, Stats & More
Hailing from Chester, Philadelphia, Philadelphia Union is one of the most forward-thinking clubs in the Major Soccer League. Being one of the five major league sports franchises from the same state, Union kicked off in the American league for the first time in 2010.
While the MLS is known to be a footballing league dominated by the likes of LA Galaxy, Inter Miami, and New England Revolution among others, get to know all about the rich history, stats, and brilliance of this club. So, without much further ado, let’s get straight into it.
History of Philadelphia Union
Before Union, Philadelphia Atoms and Philadelphia Fury were the two household soccer teams from the same state. However, on February 28, 2008, MLS added Philadelphia Union as the sixteenth team to compete in it. It was only in the 2010 MLS season, where Union made their debut.
Interestingly Union is the part of parent company Keystone Sports and Entertainment LLC, which was started with the main aim of developing the soccer potential in Delaware Valley.
Philadelphia Union plays its home game at Subaru Park, Chester, which is a custom-built stadium. The beautifully constructed venue is a part of the Union’s unique waterfront campus, featuring a historic power plant rebuilt into 400,000 square feet.
Not only does Union’s soccer arena aim at giving their player the best possibilities but also amenities to focus on improving their stamina, endurance, power, and agility with top-notch technologies. For this purpose, Subaru Park has over 7 acres of professional-grade practice pitches and multiple onsite parking fields.
Who was the founder of the Philadelphia Union?
Union was founded by Jay Sugerman, who is a man known to be a ‘Top Dog’ in the real estate world. Before trying his hand at Major League Soccer, Sugerman made himself an elite fortune by finding and running iStar (a real estate company worth billions).
While Sugerman is still the chairman of the club, Philadelphia Union is currently owned by Keystone Sports & Entertainment. More noticeably Brooklyn Nets marquee scorer and 12-time NBA All-Star, Kevin Durant is also one of the minority owners.
| Position | Name |
| Head Coach | Jim Curtin |
| Vice President, Player Health and Performance | Garrison Draper |
| Assistant Coach | Frank Leicht |
| Assistant Coach | Ryan Richter |
| Lead Sports Scientist | Walter Grande(z) |
| Director of Goalkeeping | Phil Wheddon |
| Head Athletic Trainer | Paul Rushing |
| Team Coordinator | Josh Gros |
| Sporting Director | Ernst Tanner |
| Academy Director | Tommy Wilson |
Q: Who owns Philadelphia Union?
Ans: Philadelphia Union is owned by Keystone Sports & Entertainment
Stadium of Philadelphia Union: All about Subaru Park
The home of Union – Subaru Park is situated in Chester, Philadelphia, and is next to the Commodore Barry Bridge on the waterfront along the Delaware River. The stadium holds a capacity of 18,500 and it is also known to be an excellent place for footballing fanatics in this metropolitan state.
Moreover, the idea of diversification and expansion will see this Park eventually larger its seating capacity. According to Wikipedia, the planned expansion would occur in three phases, initially to 20,000, then to 27,000.
Q: What is the name of the Philadelphia Union’s Stadium?
Ans: The home of the Philadelphia Union is Subaru Park.
Fans and Culture of Philadelphia Union
For those who are unaware – Philadelphia Union alludes to the Union of the Thirteen Colonies, of which Philadelphia was the first capital. Starting with the aim of developing the sporting culture and soccer background in Delaware, Union aims at empowering the local soccer scene. The team has the primary colors – navy blue and gold, which represent the Continental Army’s uniforms during the American Revolutionary War.
Having announced the details of the club at Philadelphia’s City Hall, the very name and crest of Union incorporate Philadelphia’s rich colonial history and vital role in creating of United States of America.
Sporting Rivalry of Philadelphia Union
The Philadelphia Union are primary rivals to DC United. To elaborate upon the rivalry of Union and DC United, this isn’t based on the footballing scenario in the country but the geographical proximity and the traditional animosities of Philadelphia and Washington DC. This is the exact reason the Philadelphia Union is also considered the rival of the New York Red Bulls.
However, there is a growing rivalry with Seattle Sounder FC as well, despite being geographically apart 3800 km. The cross-country feud started when the Philadelphia Union played its inaugural MLS game in Seattle. Furthermore, Union’s increasing intensity in the league has also made them a competitive rival against New York City FC.
Q: Who are Philadelphia Union’s biggest rivals?
Ans: DC United is considered to be the biggest rival of the Philadelphia Union.
Philadelphia Union Key Individuals
Most noticeable players who represented Philadelphia Union?
There have been many players who have significantly contributed to the growth of this club. Some of the most noticeable players are –
- Andre Blake (Nationality: Jamaican)
- Sebastian Le Toux (Nationality: France)
- Ilsinho (Nationality: Brazil)
- Kacper Przybylko (Nationality: Poland)
- Alejandro Bedoya (Nationality: United States of America)
- Freddy Adu (Nationality: United States of America)
- Carlos Ruiz (Nationality: Guatemala)
- Sheanon Williams (Nationality: United States of America).
Best Manager in the history of the Philadelphia Union
The club has been under the mentorship of 3 coaches so far – Piotr Nowak (Poland), John Hackworth (USA), and Jim Curtin (USA). Out of these three coaches, Curtin, who has coached the team in 164 games, has the best win-tally record with 37.80% and is followed by Hackworth with 33.77%.
Moreover, Jim Curtin has been coaching the Philadelphia Union since 2014 where he has not clinched any silverware with the team. Though having won the Supporter’s Shield in 2019-20, Curtin’s Union finished as runners-up in 2014, 2015, and 2018 in the US Open Cup. Most recently, they finished as the runners-up in the MLS Cup Finals in 2022.
| Competition | Finals Appearance |
| US Open Cup | 3 |
| MLS Cup | 1 |
Philadelphia Union Record Breakers
All-Time Top Scorers of Philadelphia Union
Sebastien Le Toux took the second most appearances (189) in the top 10 goal scorers list. The most appearances (208) were made by Alejandro Bedoya whereas Daniel Gazdag had the least appearances (66) to be able to register himself on this list.
| Sequence | Name | Period | MLS | Playoffs | US Open | CCL | Goals |
| 1 | Sebastien Le Toux | 2010–2011, 2013–2016 | 50 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 57 |
| 2 | Kacper Przybylko | 2019–2021 | 35 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 40 |
| 3 | CJ Sapong | 2015–2018 | 36 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 38 |
| 4 | Jack McInerney | 2010–2014 | 25 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 28 |
| 5 | Cory Burke | 2018–present | 25 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 28 |
| 6 | Daniel Gazdag | 2021-present | 26 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 27 |
| 7 | Alejandro Bedoya | 2016–present | 22 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 25 |
| 8 | Conor Casey | 2013–2015 | 21 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 22 |
| 8 | Ilsinho | 2016–2021 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 |
| 10 | Fafa Picault | 2017–2019 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 |
Q: Who is the top scorer in Philadelphia Union’s history?
Ans: French International Sebastien Le Toux has scored the most goals for Philadelphia Union.
Most Assists for Philadelphia Union
Sebastien Le Toux who has had two stints with the same club holds the record for providing the most assists in Union’s history, with a tally of 50.
Most Appearances for Philadelphia Union
| Sequence | Name | Period | MLS | Playoffs | US Open | Total Appearances |
| 1 | Ray Gaddis | 2012–2020 | 221 | 4 | 21 | 246 |
| 2 | Andre Blake | 2014–present | 204 | 6 | 8 | 218 |
| 3 | Sebastien Le Toux | 2010–20112013–2016 | 175 | 2 | 16 | 193 |
| 4 | Alejandro Bedoya | 2016–present | 185 | 5 | 5 | 195 |
| 5 | Brian Carroll | 2011–2017 | 166 | 2 | 15 | 183 |
| 6 | Jack Elliot | 2016–present | 162 | 4 | 6 | 172 |
| 7 | Sheanon Williams | 2010–2015 | 141 | 2 | 12 | 155 |
| 8 | Ilsinho | 2016–2021 | 130 | 5 | 5 | 140 |
| 9 | CJ Sapong | 2015–2019 | 123 | 2 | 10 | 135 |
| 10 | Fabinho | 2013–2019 | 122 | 1 | 12 | 135 |
Highest Transfer ever made by Philadelphia Union in franchise history
The Philadelphia Union completed the signing of striker Mikael Uhre, who is a Danish International footballer, from Danish side Brondby IF. The 29-year-old joined the Philadelphia Union as a Designated Player on a contract through 2024 with an option that will last until 2025.
| Name | From | Fees (In Million) | Date |
| Mikael Uhre | Brondby | $2.8 | January 2022 |
| Jamiro Monteiro | Metz | $2.0 | January 2020 |
| Daniel Gazdag | Honved | $1.8 | January 2022 |
| David Accam | Chicago Fire | $1.2 | January 2018 |
| Matej Oravec | Dunajska Streda | $1.1 | January 2020 |
| Alejandro Bedoya | Nantes | $1.0 | August 2016 |
Conclusion
So, this is the history, background, culture, and record tally of Philadelphia Union, the MLS team considered to be one of the top dogs in the upcoming 20234 season. Will Jim Curtin be able to break his jinx and finally lead this side to their first-ever silverware? Hopefully, they have all the necessary assets to make a strong bid.
