1. Philadelphia Union, known as Zolos, were founded in 2008. Their nickname came about at a “Meet-the-Owners” event held two days before the expansion press conference, they wore nametags with handwritten numbers intended to read “2010.” The number was mistakenly interpreted as “ZOLO” by an ownership group member.
2. They play at 18,500 capacity stadium PPL Park which is allocated along the Delaware River and only opened last month.
3. They have won just 4 of the 14 games they have played this season and lost 8.
4. The name of the club was decided by a fan poll and alludes to the Union of the Thirteen Colonies, of which Philadelphia was the first capital.
5. The club came in to being because of the Sons of Ben supporters group which has over 5,000 members.
6. The club’s motto is Jungite aut perite which is the Latin for join or die. The supporters group motto is Ad Finem Fidelis which is the Latin for Faithful to the end.
7. Their colors are navy blue and gold, representing the primary colours of the Continental Army’s uniforms during the American Revolutionary War.
8. In their squad of 25, they have 13 Americans, 2 Brazilians, a Frenchman, a Finn, a Colombian, a Venezuelan and a Congolese.
9. Their captain is Danny Califf who has represented the USA national team 22 times, scoring 1 goal against Haiti. He was in the 2000 Olympic team as well as playing in 2003 Confederations Cup and 2007 Copa America. He has played for Danish sides Aalborg and FC Midtjylland.
10. Another player of interest is Stefani Miglioranzi, who has played for Portsmouth and Swindon Town between 1999 and 2006.
11. Their chants aren’t too advanced yet. They list the chorus to Vindaloo as one of their songs and the general theme is a lot of “na na na”s and claps. Their best song is probably for their French striker, Sébastien Le Toux.

Oh Le Toux, Le Toux!
He’s Frencher than me or you
He’ll score us a goal or two
Oh Le Toux, Le Toux!

Philadelphia Union and Sons of Ben websites.

RoM will be live blogging this game!




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