Philadelphia Union at NY Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena 4.24.2010

So today, I travelled to NYC today with some, crazy, Philadelphia Union fans to see the Philadelphia Union take on the NY Red Bulls for the first time ever. This was my first time at Red Bull Arena and only my second professional soccer game. Let me start by saying, Red Bull Arena was amazing! It’s a brand new field.

I sat up in the supporters section. It was an interesting experience to say the least. To avoid a fight between Union and Red Bulls supporters, security had us, Union fans, enter early through a back gate. Then they escorted us to our seats. The Union has a group of supporters named the Sons of Ben (See Below), who are awesome.


They have a massive section at the home games in Philadelphia and they even attend away games. I didn’t realize how crazy and dedicated they were to the Union until I sat with them. These guys and girls are up on their feet the entire game. They are standing, cheering, screaming, clapping, dancing and singing. Yes, I said singing. Although this is only the Unions first season, the Sons of Ben already have chants for the team. They usually have a few leaders, who will stand down towards the front of everyone. These leaders decide what chants to sing and what to do. AND THEY DO NOT STOP! I was wondering how they were able to keep the group going the entire time. I was trying to figure out if they were just really creative people or if they actually planned out what they were going to do all game. That is how in depth it was. It was absolutely awesome! They have a ton of energy too. I didn’t understand how they could keep this up the entire game.


Aside from the supporters. The game went alright. The team played very well but they ended the game with a loss. NY Red Bulls, Salou Ibrahim scored in the 50th minute. Sebastien Le Toux fired back, scoring in the 59th minute. Unfortunately later in the game, NY Red Bulls were given a penalty kick which Juan Pablo Angel put away to win the game. The Union played great. They were tough and they possessed the ball well. In the future they will just need to be sure to finish the ball. Oh well, maybe next time! Go Union!