Game #66- Philadelphia Union

Philadelphia Union vs. New England Revolution March 16, 2013 PPL Arena Fun day so far, but I am exhausted already and I still have two games to go as well as a 2 hours drive back to Baltimore. Today I fully explored Philly. Even though it was really cold and snowing I got to the Rocky statue (why they moved it from the top of the museum steps to a grassy area to the right of the building is beyond me), Liberty Bell, Constitution Hall, Independence Hall, did a tasters challenge of a Pat’s and Geno’s Philly Cheese Steak, and now am finally at the Union game. I think it is a miracle I made it here because there are absolutely no signs for the arena. For some reason this is the only team outside of Philly, the arena is in Chester and the address does not even show up on Google Maps. In fact, I didn’t get off the freeway in time and before I knew it I was on a bridge heading into New Jersey. The good thing is that the PPL pitch is awesome looking. The stadium is right along the Delaware River with the aforementioned Commodore Barry Bridge in the background. I wish it were a nicer day because I think the pictures would tell a completely different story, but the fact that it was raining/hailing made the shots of the stadium really gloomy. I did make my way around the pitch but since this is such a new building and the team is only a couple years old there were no fan experience places to check out. Today’s game was a bit odd because I didn’t recognize a single player from either team. Usually a marquee player from the US National team or perhaps an older European footballer would be on one of the rosters, but Philly and New England lacked a true team leader. That didn’t take away from a very physical game on the pitch. There were a ton of fouls (I later learned 28 with 4 yellows) from extremely rough tackles, and perhaps the weather played a factor in the aggressive mindsets. Throughout the 90 minutes most of the play was in the center of the field, few shots were placed on goal and in fact when Jack McInerny put the Union up 1-0 at the 76th minute I think it was the only real chance on goal for the home team. That single goal was all the action the Union needed and they took home the three points for the evening. As soon as the game ended I ran out to my car to make my was to the 76ers game. I had 20 minutes to drive 10 miles before tip off. By the way, the mother who gave me her ticket for my collection and then took it back for the half price haircut she could receive, I don’t like you…