Part 1: The Evolution of Philadelphia Union by Andy Jasner

The 2010 MLS season starts on 25TH March. Philadelphia Union travel to Seattle Sounders. Andy Jasner reports on the creation of the 16th MLS franchise. Details of Philadelphia Union can be found at www.philadelphiaunion.com Part 2 of ANDY JASNERS report will be posted on Sunday.

PART 1: THE EVOLUTION OF PHILADELPHIA UNION
By Andy Jasner

There have been so many key moments in the development of Philadelphia Union from a dream to sweet reality as the 16th franchise in Major League Soccer.

There have been so many key meetings and so many key milestones. Let’s take a look back at a timeline of big moments in the ongoing evolution of Philadelphia Union:

February 28, 2008: None of the following dates would be meaningful for Philadelphia Union fans if this date didn’t kick everything off. At Turbine Hall in Chester, PA, MLS Commissioner Don Garber officially introduced the league’s 16th club at 2:10 p.m. ET. There wasn’t a name at the time, but that didn’t matter. A team was on the way.

The fans, many of whom were part of the Sons of Ben, gathered and celebrated as the string band played and chants erupted. Wow, was this a day to remember.

“This is a day to celebrate after all of the hard work that so many people put into this project,” Nick Sakiewicz, Philadelphia Union CEO & Operating Partner, told the assembled media after the landmark announcement. “From the very beginning, this ownership group has had one goal and that's to bring a team to this area. There is so much history with soccer in this region and so much passion as well. Now, we'll work toward putting together a first-class team which can bring some trophies home.”

This was the start of a string of events that would lead up to First Kick on March 25, 2010, over two years after the expansion announcement.

September 2, 2008: General contractor and construction manager T.N. Ward, based in Ardmore, PA., was selected by Keystone Sports and Entertainment, Philadelphia Union's ownership group, to build its $120 million stadium in Chester, PA.

“In choosing T.N. Ward, we not only picked a great builder, but also held true to our commitment of staying local and reinvesting in our community,” Sakiewicz said. “At the end of a long and rigorous process that included more than 20 companies, we went with the home team. There were a number of well-qualified companies but T.N. Ward’s proposal rose to the top. We were impressed by T.N. Ward’s credentials and track record of outstanding projects. For them, this is going to be a groundbreaking project in the truest sense of the word.”

October 17, 2008: Two regional health care leaders joined forces to sign a multi-year agreement with the franchise, becoming the first “Keystone Founding Partner” and creating a unique partnership that expands well beyond the new 18,500-seat waterfront stadium. Crozer-Keystone Health System and Premier Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Associates, LTD. teamed up to create a dynamic ‘Chester-to-Chester’ partnership with Philadelphia Union that will benefit the community and entire region.

December 1, 2008: Groundbreaking ceremonies for PPL Park in the historic City of Chester initiated the construction of Philadelphia Union's home stadium. As part of the ceremonies, Panasonic was announced as the club's second "Keystone Founding Partner," an important partnership for providing fans with a world-class guest experience.

“The groundbreaking of this new, first-class soccer stadium (the ninth such stadium in MLS after Red Bull Arena opens as the eighth this month) is a historic moment for the City of Chester and soccer fans in the United States,” Garber said after the groundbreaking ceremony. “Philadelphia is one of the most passionate sports markets in the country and we are excited that they will be joining the league in 2010.”

May 11, 2009: Philadelphia Union was officially unveiled on this day as the name of the league’s 16th franchise by Mayor Michael Nutter, with City Hall serving as an appropriately historic backdrop for the momentous announcement. The region's newest professional sports team simultaneously revealed its logo and colors as the countdown to First Kick continued.

“This is a special day for our devoted fan base and the people of the Greater Philadelphia Region,” Philadelphia Union Chairman Jay Sugarman said that day. “We're incredibly fortunate to have fans who understand the power of loyalty and unity, and our team identity draws its inspiration from them and from the importance these qualities have played in the history of Philadelphia.”

Union references the original Thirteen Colonies, which established the foundation of the United States of America. The clubs colors wer unveiled as navy blue and gold, symbolizing the uniforms of the American Continental Army, accented by the lighter shade of blue found in the Philadelphia Flag. The primary symbol of a rattlesnake is derived from Ben Franklin's political cartoons and was featured in multiple editions of the Pennsylvania Gazette during the 1750s. The rattlesnake was utilized to emphasize the necessity of colonial unity and serve as a reminder of the danger of disunity. Franklin's rattlesnake gained enormous popularity and evolved into a primary symbol of the American Revolution.

A brand was officially born.

May 29, 2009: Philadelphia Union announced Peter Nowak as the club's first ever Team Manager. Nowak has won MLS Cups as both player and coach, the only individual to have accomplished the feat in league history. A captain of the Polish National team for three years, Nowak previously served a dual role as Head Coach of the Under-23 U.S. Men's National Team and Assistant to Bob Bradley with the full national team. Nowak became responsible for all facets of the club's training and on-field performance and embarked on the mission of building a roster from scratch.

“I am extremely grateful for my time with U.S. Soccer, but the chance to join an organization that is in the process of defining its identity was an opportunity I could not turn down,” Nowak said. “Our supporters are already notorious for their passion and it is our mission to put a team on the field that is worthy of their loyalty. Our responsibility is to build a club that leaves everything on the field and represents the Philadelphia region proudly.”

Stay tuned for Part 2 of Philadelphia Union's evolution in the coming days. Just think, all this before a single player!