Sons of Ben had an unprecedented influence on Stadium Design, Club Colors, Crest

[Lennon]

Taken from MLSR ...

We learn a few things about Philadelphia Union in this interview CEO Nick Sakiewicz did with Glenn Davis.

Among them:

• Sons of Ben had an influence on the Union colors and crest and likely the "Join or Die" phrase in latin.
• Sons of Ben get their own entrance on the North East side of the stadium.
• Sons of Ben get their own 2,000 seat section which they will control, separate from other sections.
• Sons of Ben's section is already sold out.

Damn ... lucky them ... I wish MLSE would let RBP and Usector control the south end ... or at least 111-113 ...

[AL-MO]

Well its hard doing things after the fact.

[London]

we met the sons of ben at the mls cup in washington.

seem to be great guys with loud voices, already had coluors a name website and the whole deal.
Actually we would be the first to shut them up with the " can you hear philly sing" chant after the chanting match we were pulled into during the game!
great fun

glad to welcome them to the mls!!!

[boban]

Well its hard doing things after the fact.

This is true. Although when they expand with a second level in the South End, this should be made a priority.

[Wagner]

Hopefully we'll open up next year at their house...
it would be a great atmosphere....tfc united supporters vs. s.o.b. in their new yard...

[Lennon]

Yea ... either Philly or NY in their new stadium ... although I have a feeling that MLS doesn't want 2k+ TFC fans crashing the party for those games ...

[Beach_Red]

Yea ... either Philly or NY in their new stadium ... although I have a feeling that MLS doesn't want 2k+ TFC fans crashing the party for those games ...

Philly-NY is going to be a good rivalry, good for the league.

[rockxlee]

Are the Sons of Ben the only Philly supporters group?

[InTheCrowd]

Lucky them.

[jabbronies]

Sons of bitches.....They control their own section!! fucking eh.

[werewolf]

Philly-NY is going to be a good rivalry, good for the league.

DC will be even better.

[Lennon]

DC will be even better.

Yea ... both teams need to have fans for any sort of rivalry ...

[Torcida]

Well its hard doing things when you have 10+ supporter groups.

Fixed.

[FluSH]

Fixed.

Most big clubs have them... Let's be real here... we should be lucky that we aren't divided amongst racial lines like in the U.S. where some teams have a Latino Supporter Group and a White/Anglo group for the same team.

[Roogsy]

Who are we kidding?

There are 3 supporters groups.

No offence to anyone, but just getting a group of guys together and calling yourselves a cool name does not a supporters group make. Yeah...I know there are a bunch of names around BMO Field...but there are only 3 organized groups that are a) officially recognized and b) produce on a consistent basis game in game out, home or away.

So as long as the 3 groups are involved in the future with whatever plans are made...you have covered 90% of the organized supporters.

[Canary Canuck]

They should just make the SOB section a standing terrace. Why bother with seats that'll just get in the way and get damaged when the whole section's going to be standing anyway. Plus they could squeeze another 1000 SOB's in there

[tfctillidie]

damn those SOBs...nice crest for philly union

[rocker]

Not really surprising.

the SOBs had hundreds of people together in their group BEFORE the franchise was even awarded. And before the first concrete was poured at the new site, they had a few thousand members already.

In TFC's situation, there was much less of an organized group before the team was awarded and before the stadium was started. Naturally, that means less influence.

[ryencoke]

Its impressive that SOB have been given so much insight into the stadium

That stadium is definately drool worthy, I can't wait for 2010 so that I can see it in person

[Parkdale]

well good for them.

any news that shows the MLS is putting the real supporter experience ahead of 'soccer mom sundays' is good news.