I’m going to start this post by saying.. this is not a family friendly post.
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This afternoon a few of us Noise Nation members took a trip down to PPL Park for the Philadelphia Union Soccer Team’s Home Opener. Final score of the game Philly 1 – Colorado 2. The game was exciting but onto other aspects.
This was not an inexpensive, value oriented adventure. We got decent seats with a nice view of the whole field. Ticket price – $40.
The view from our seats
Parking – $20
$20 seems insane for parking but if you’ve ever been to Chester, PA you’d understand the added security of having someone keeping an eye on your vehicle. I took a few photos of this “rough” of which this “diamond” of a park that PPL park is in the middle of but chose against publishing them. It looks like the soccer stadium was placed dead smack in the middle of this downtrodden area in hopes of revitalizing it. (Sound familiar?) Well, I didn’t see any revitalization but it looks far, far worse than Allentown.
We got there early and the team store was open. One of the few points of this part that didn’t absolutely drain the wallet.
Every staff member I encountered was super friendly and helpful
That being said, I did some shopping.
Jersey – $55
Customization of Jersey – $20
2 – Team Pins – $10
Car magnet – $7
New hat and jersey
Not too bad. They even offered to deliver the jersey to my seat if it wasn’t ready by game time. Great service there.
Then we got inside.
For Kram’s favorite topic, we checked out the food. Holy moly Batman, these prices were insane.
Yikes!
Double Yikes!
$10 for a burger and small hanful of fries. Not a terrible deal.
Three chicken tenders and small amount of fries - $9. Not terrible.
We ate cheaply.. relatively. There is no way I’m paying $10 for a hot dog no matter how big it is. Nor $10-$13 for a stadium beer.
Moving on.. there is a section of the stadium set aside for the Union’s most dedicated fans called the “Sons of Ben.” They are loud, they are rowdy and they are far away from being family friendly… yet incredibly nice friendly folks.
They wave flags, bang drums and sing songs throughout the entire game. Some selections include:
– A version of the Muppet’s classic, “Mahna-Mahna”
– You S*ck Ref
– You’re an A**hole
– Hey Ref, S*ck my B*lls
In fact, when the opposing team is introduced following each player’s name the entire crowd yells, “S*cks!”
For example: “Starting for the (opposing team) #22 John Doe” to the crowd response “S*cks!”
Also, the entire section on the River End where these diehards sit, turn their backs on the opposing team as they take the field.
They take soccer very, very seriously.
Hey kids, if you’re still reading, I doubt your parents will take you anytime soon. You’ll have many years to get to one of these games in the future.
Other notes of the game…
The game was broadcast nationally on NBC Sports TV for the sellout 19,074 in attendance. The crowd sang the National Anthem. There was a big screen in game marraige proposal in the row immediately behind us. She said yes to two Unions this afternoon.
It was a great experience but as the final seconds clicked off the clock solidifying the Philly Union’s loss this afternoon there was no fun to be had. There were no smiles. There was no jocular ribbing and smiling on the way out. In soccer, winning is fun… losing is not fun. It’s not how well they played the game, it’s if they win and winning is the only time these fans have fun.
I began this by proposing there might be a new soccer fan created today and I have to say I am not yet a soccer fan. I did have fun. I smiled on the way home. I enjoyed my day trip to Philadelphia and my new Union Jersey, hat and other fun stuff.
I am not yet worthy to call myself a fan of soccer as these true fans have shown me what true, all out, die-hard fans should be like.
Do not confuse their fanaticism as an insult. These folks are intelligent in all aspects of the game. They are friendly and courteous to fellow fans, judgemental of the officiating and downright nasty to the opposing team. They are soccer fans.
It was a good fun day for the four who made the trip but the pricetag is too high for me to make it more than a once or twice a season event. (I will definitely eat before the game if/when I get back to another one.
And definitely not for the youngsters.
Enjoy!
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