Team Name Leaked (?): Philadelphia Union

Rumors are rampant on the interwebs that the Philadelphia MLS team name and crest have been leaked...Philadelphia Union. Possible scarf designs have also been sighted, one emblazoned with the Latin phrase "Invgite aut Perite" which some believe translates roughly to "Join or Die." A Google search did not provide much help, asking 'Did you mean, invite a pirate?' However, after reading a brief history about the Gadsen Flag and the symbolism of the snake, I believe it might mean "Unite and Conquer." Perhaps the Latin is mispelled.

An MLS.net screen cap also inadvertently displayed the Philadelphia Union logo (top right-hand corner) which has since been taken down and replaced with PHI 2010.

To further perpetuate the rumors, I received a Facebook email last night informing me that Bryan from the Sons of Ben changed the group name "Philadelphia MLS Fans" to "Philadelphia Union Fans."

The official announcement comes Monday at City Hall.

The 700 Level

Phinally Philly

Save the Date, May 11th: Get Your Morning Drink and March On With Those SOB's

The Sons of Ben, Philly MLS Supporter Group, are planning a Pre-Announcement Party at McGillin's Olde Ale House (13th and Drury) followed by a march to City Hall for the announcement of the team's name, logo, and colors.

Way back in January of 2007, a handful of local soccer fans met each other for the first time for lunch. The spot? McGillin’s. Now 28 months and 3,700+ more fans later, the Sons of Ben invite you to join them to celebrate the announcement of the team’s name, logo, and colors at the same 13th and Drury location.

I can't applaud the SOB's enough for their continued support and downright dedicated members without whom this Phila MLS team would have an extremely difficult time attracting new fans and attention. This could be a must attend.

May 11th Announcement Party

Goal.com Interviews Dave Debusschere, Newly Appointed Executive VP of MLS Phila.

Here are a few choice quotes:

I’m from Saskatchewan, Canada. I’m a hockey guy by history, I guess you could say. Eleven years ago I moved to Philadelphia with my wife, who I met at Colgate University and she had soccer enter my life. She was on the varsity soccer team and I played hockey. Her family are all soccer nuts and I basically transitioned into one from her influence.

First of all, just look at Philly as a sports town. It is one of, if not the best sports town in the entire country, that is well known.

The other teams that have been the expansion teams the last few years, Toronto and Seattle, have done really well, and we plan on selling out the stadium just like them. Philly area fans can outdo Toronto and Seattle fans, I have no doubt in my mind.

It has become very clear, that regardless what the name is, we are going to have to build that brand. It’s going to be great no matter what it is, it doesn’t matter to me. The analogy for me is you think of the [NHL team Philadelphia] Flyers. What the heck is a Flyer? They were formed in 1967, but look today, look at how far they’ve come. That’s what we’re going to have to do, and I’m ok with that. It’s part of the fun. We’re going to be original and have something we can build.

(full interview here)

h/t: Another Delco Guy in South Jersey

Tom Veit Named President of Keystone Sports and Entertainment

From MLS Philly 2010:

CHESTER, PA (April 14, 2009) –Major League Soccer Philadelphia 2010 today named Thomas Veit as President of Keystone Sports and Entertainment, the ownership group of MLS Philadelphia 2010. Veit is an accomplished sports and entertainment veteran and will oversee all business matters relating to the new Philadelphia Major League Soccer team and the under-construction stadium in Chester, Pa.

Veit and CEO Nick Sakiewicz will re-join forces after working in the MLS together with the Tampa Bay Mutiny.

Remember the XFL? Veit also served as VP/General Manager of the Orlando Rage, whose fanbase led the league in paid attendance. That alone is quite an impressive feat.

Veit has a very accomplished resume and appears to be an attendance/promotional marketing whiz. This should have quite an impact on ticket sales and brand awareness.

Now if we only knew what the name of the team is going to be...

UPDATE: More Front Office Hires/Promotions

Dave Debusschere, 34 - promoted to Executive VP of MLS Philadelphia in addition to being CFO

Rob Smith, 48 - promoted to Vice President of Soccer Development & Relations from his role as Director of Operations & Community Relations

Rob Parker, 35 - MLS Philadelphia’s Vice President of Corporate Sales & Service

Mike Quarino, 30 - MLS Philadelphia’s Director of Sales, responsible for all of MLS Philadelphia’s ticket programs and fan service initiatives

MLS Philly 2010

BigSoccer Interviews Philly MLS CEO Nick Sakiewicz

Part 1: here

Part 2: here

Local Grads in the MLS

The newly formed MLS expansion team Vancouver Whitecaps FC have signed defender Jeff Parke to a one-year contract. The Chester County native played collegiate soccer for the Drexel Dragons. He also played for the highly competitive youth club F.C. Delco.

From Our Sports Central:

Born in Abington, Pennsylvania, but was raised in Downingtown, Pennsylvania, Parke played collegiate soccer at Drexel University in Philadelphia from 2000 to 2003. In his freshman year with the Dragons, he was named to the America East All-Conference First Team and All-Rookie Team. In his senior year, Parke received the Donald Yonker MVP Award.

Philly Soccer and Sports Illustrated Go Way Back

I was searching "Philadelphia soccer" on Ebay and came across this throwback Philadelphia Atoms jersey. The description revealed some interesting information:

The Philadelphia Atoms were a soccer team based out of Philadelphia that played in the North American Soccer League (NASL). They played from 1973 to 1976, at Veterans Stadium (1973-75) and Franklin Field (1976). The Atoms were founded by Philadelphia construction mogul Thomas McCloskey in 1973 at the urging of Kansas City Chiefs and Dallas Tornado owner Lamar Hunt. Playing a largely American line-up, they won the NASL title in their first year of existence, ironically by defeating Hunt’s Dallas club 2-0. After this championship match, Philadelphia goalkeeper and Delaware Valley native Bob Rigby became the first soccer player to be featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated.