Because soccer isn't gay, but once in awhile it kinda is.
Posts tagged philadelphia union
Philadelphia Union & Chick-Fil-A: Something You Can Do
03/02/13
Chick-Fil-A is sponsoring a booth at today’s Philadelphia Union game (and presumably all of them.) If you want to respond, we’re here to help.
Print out this card, sign it, and politely give it to anyone associated with the Chick-Fil-A promotion, Philadelphia Union staff, or anyone you want to share this message with.
Yes, a corporation whose “charity” donates money to groups that are vehemently against families that don’t fit their standard of what a family looks like are sponsoring a “Family of the Game” contest with the Philadelphia Union.
If you’re not okay with this partnership and are looking for a way to voice your concern today, here’s one polite, reserved way you can do so.
Philadelphia Union: Jersey Week 2013
02/27/13
Can a team’s new jersey be so good it brings a tear to your eye? Yes, and for me that was the case with the Philadelphia Union’s new third kit.
PhiladelphiaUnion.com
Maybe I need to provide some background information. I grew up in the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania in a town so small and slow its German name roughly translates to Snailtown. My dad grew up in Bethlehem and went to high school next to Steel Field, which had been home to the most successful team in the early decades of American soccer, Bethlehem Steel F.C.
Bethlehem Steel won the American Cup six times and the competition now called the U.S. Open Cup five times. Their home Steel Field was the first American soccer field to have stadium-style seating. They were so good they toured Europe on several occasions to show off their skills.
The new Philadelphia Union third jersey is a fitting, and moving, homage to Bethlehem Steel and the soccer history and heritage of Eastern Pennsylvania.
Philadelphia Union to Hold Troubling Chick-Fil-A Giveaway
02/14/13
This pride flag is a now regular feature in The River End of PPL Park, thanks to the Sons of Ben.
The banner at the top of the Philadelphia Union website asks, “What do you stand for?” After seeing the club announce a Chick-Fil-A giveaway night this season, it’s a question I have for them.
I have been a Union fan since season one and a Sons of Ben member since season two. When I saw this news from the team I loved this morning, it hit me like an arrow to the heart. It hurt.
Donations from Chick-Fil-A’s charitable foundation to anti-LGBT groups is well documented, and became quite well known last year. Millions were given in 2010, including to an organization identified as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center and to Exodus International, a psychologically damaging “pray the gay away” ministry.
Do I expect every MLS club to check the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index every time they enter into a partnership with a business? Of course not. But the troubling donations by Chick-Fil-A and subsequent backlash were headline news last year with people both protesting and supporting the chain. The Union should have easily known that they are a hot button that isn’t worth pressing.
Chandler Hoffman: The Guys We Like Interview
02/03/13
We are halfway through our countdown of our favorite hot draft picks this MLS preseason, so it seemed like a natural time to check in with last year’s favorite: Chandler Hoffman, Philadelphia Union forward.
We talked about memories of the 2012 SuperDraft and his first professional season, as well as how preseason 2013 is going and what the season ahead looks like with some seasoned veterans now part of the Union attack. And of course, he passes on his crown and sash with some advice for his hottest draft pick successor.
Chandler Hoffman: The Guys We Like Interview
Hoffman makes his Philadelphia Union MLS debut (philadelphiaunion.com)
Hoffman scores his first professional goal for the Union, a game winner against Bundesliga side FC Schalke 04 (MLSSoccer.com)
The Philadelphia Union is the First MLS Team to Be a Soccer Ally with gay4soccer
07/24/12
No more teasing.
We are very happy to announce that the Philadelphia Union have taken the step of becoming a Soccer Ally with us here at gay4soccer, the first team in Major League Soccer to do so.
They are boldly agreeing to a pledge similar to the charter every English Premier League team signed last winter, to combat homophobia and transphobia, and make soccer a more inclusive place for the LGBT community:
- We agree that everyone should be able to participate in, watch and enjoy sports — whoever they are and whatever their background.
- We agree that sports are about fairness and equality, respect and dignity. Sports teach individuals how to strive and succeed, how to cope with success and disappointment, and bring people together to achieve a common goal.
- We are committed to making these values a reality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. We will work together, and individually, to rid the game of soccer of homophobia and transphobia.
- We will make soccer a welcome, inviting, and inclusive place for everyone — for those participating in the sport, those attending matches and for those working or volunteering in it — while making adeliberate effort to reach out to GLBT people. We will work with all these groups to ensure they have a voice, and to challenge unacceptable behavior, including working to eliminate homophobic language from the game.
It was such a pleasure to announce this to the crowd at Tabu last night as part of this special week for soccer in Philadelphia. We look forward to working with the staff and team at the Union to putting this pledge into action and working with other teams to sign on to the pledge as well.
Casting the MLS Musical: Part V
06/14/12
by ajvsell
in Culture & Style
Because soccer is just hockey without the weapons, right?
Also read on for an MLS stadium compared to this place.
Soccer Ally May: Philadelphia Union
05/24/12
Portland and Seattle added one Soccer Ally each over the last few days, and today and tomorrow we reach the top of the heap: the two teams with the most allies on the list before we start recruiting as part of this May push.
The first of the two is the Philadelphia Union.
Chronologically, new trade Mike Lahoud became considered an ally last year when he did a NOH8 Campaign photo shoot. Amobi Okugo was the first to sign on via twitter in January, with Gabe Farfan and Zac MacMath joining in February, and Carlos Valdes and Krystian Witkowski joining in March. Thank you all!
But Philadelphia has a very deep Twitter roster and lots of opportunity to add even more. Who will be next? Will one of the teams like Philadelphia with the most allies continue in that spot when all is said and done? Ask the players below to be a #soccerally as we wrap up MLS recruitment this week.
gay4soccer Idol: Portland vs. Philadelphia
03/19/12
It’s time to debut a new regular feature.
THIS is gay4soccer Idol.
With so many musical moments across Major League Soccer, it’s only appropriate that we take a look at some of them and let you, the readers, decide which are the best.
So first up, both the Philadelphia Union and Portland Timbers kicked off their home openers with fans singing the National Anthem. So…
Videos to help you out after the jump…
Another Gay Pride Flag in a Soccer Supporters’ Section
03/19/12
by gay4soccer
in Philadelphia Union
Great work by our Philadelphia writer Janine for making this happen, and to our allies the Sons of Ben for letting it happen. It was great to see on the NBC Sports Network coverage right behind The River End goal.
Philadelphia Union Loses, but the New Kits Look Great
03/15/12
The Philadelphia Union’s 3-1 loss Monday to the Portland Timbers was an extremely disappointing event, to say the least.
There were highs and then there was the last 3rd of the match. As the resonance from our collective facepalm dissipates, we are left to hope that the Union’s individual talent just needs to marinade a little longer. But there is an upside: the 2012 kit. The blue uniforms looked great on TV and Zac MacMath’s muted orange kit wins the evening.
(Photo courtesy of philadelphiaunion.com)
Lime green; seen it. Bright yellow; been there. Light Blue; so last season. Black? Really? Isn’t the point to stand out and draw the eye to you? Nope. Orange. US National Team Goalkeeper Tim Howard’s favorite color, but be sure to avoid distraction so you won’t get in an auto accident, then you’ll have to ‘borange all the way to the stadium’!
What a wonderful addition to last year’s offerings.
Follow me at @JerseyJ9 on Twitter. DOOP!
