Friday, February 1, 2008

MLS Expansion Fever: Catch It!

Reports have started streaming out of the Philadelphia area that the Commonwealth (what the rest of us call a "state") of Pennsylvania has agreed to help fund a waterfront stadium in Chester meant to be the home of a MLS franchise. Prior to the announcement, commissioner Don Garber had already said that Philly was a step ahead of other cities looking for that 16th franchise. This is especially good news for Sons of Ben, a Philadelphia soccer fan club who was just waiting on a team.

SoB, as they are alternately known, formed last year and made an immediate impact on other MLS clubs by traveling to their games and heckling them. Opinion is mixed as to whether this is a good thing or not. Some fans praise them for their passion, while others say that SoB is a continuation of the bad behavior of other Philly sports fans. Furthermore, they don't stop at MLS games. Sons of Ben will also go to Philadelphia Kixx (ugh) games and sing their songs there.

To put it succinctly, these are fans who are passionate about the sport and just want a club to call their own. Luckily, they will soon get one. Now if we could just get that KC team out of their minor-league baseball park and moved to St. Louis, we'd be just about set.

7 comments:

The Fan's Attic said...

The Timbers Army scoffs at Sons of Ben.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timbers_Army

Ian said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Ian said...

Sounds like Milwall supporters.

The Fan's Attic said...

yeah they are a little nuts. although, i don't think they are nuts enough to start beating random people up as true hooligans do.

The Fan's Attic said...

Oh, and by the way, fuck the MLS for not bringing a team to Portland. We have no summer/fall pro sports and a huge soccer community. Clearly, they have made a mistake in giving the team to Seattle and Philly.

although, i am completely ignorant of the financial reasons for decisions. but still, fuck the MLS. I would actually follow it if we had a team here.

Unknown said...

Yeah, I don't know why Portland got snubbed. I'm sure they'd be included in the next round of expansion, as and when that takes place.

Ian said...

Garber probably thinks (wrongly) he can build a "Pacific Northwest" fanbase for the Seattle franchise.