The Vernacular Culture Of The Philadelphia Union

The fans of the Philadelphia Union create a sort of culture that is unlike anything else. They show up hours before the game to play outside the stadium and then go and celebrate after the game. While commenting on the attendance before, David Sciocchetti now comments on what he saw before the first game, “The other thing was the atmosphere in the parking lot,” he continues. “There were kids kicking balls, grandparents grilling… and the vision of that happening on the Chester Waterfront was certainly intriguing” (Greco). Sciocchetti, on the executive staff of the Union, was amazed how dedicated these fans were. Recently, a Union Board Member witnessed this culture in a different way. During the Lamar Hunt Open Cup Final, he watched as the,
“entirety of PPL Park rose in anticipation, chanting along with the Sons of Ben, arms up, urging the Union toward an equalizer” (De George). The fans may not have been on the field playing, but it surely felt like the fans and players were in the game together.
As Lantis said of vernacular culture, “even the most urbanized people have an everyday culture, including everyday speech that is different from the literary language of from the language of straight news reporting” (202). In terms of the Philadelphia Union, the fans have their own way of expressing themselves. Tailgating, playing, cheering, supporting and talking about the game are the vernacular culture of the Union. This culture is unique to any sports team. And in this case, the Sons of Ben initiated this culture. The Philly Union Principal Owner Jay Sugarman stated to the press, "We're incredibly fortunate to have fans who understand the power of loyalty and unity, and our team identity draws its inspiration from them and from the importance these qualities have played in the history of Philadelphia" (“Philadelphia Union”). The fans are just as important as the team on the field. I have witnessed myself, the distinctive fan culture surrounding the
Union. The Philadelphia Union is a place I know best and can call my second home. Before there was even a professional soccer team in Philly, I was a fan. I have played soccer for about 13 years, but I have loved the sport longer than that. My father was a soccer player when he was younger and he still plays today. My sister also plays and currently coaches a younger girls’ team. As you can see, I have a soccer oriented family. Almost every conversation we have somehow relates to soccer. When my sister and I were little, we used to go see the Philadelphia Kixx and the Philadelphia Charge. It was always something to look forward to. But when both were stopped it was a letdown to not only us, but the whole soccer community. In 2008, when we found out that a team was being made we couldn’t wait. We were one of the firsts to buy season tickets and vote on the name. From there on we have been active members of the Philadelphia Union season ticket holders. We have been to international games they host and playoff games. We almost never miss a game. We tailgate before almost every game playing with soccer balls in the parking lot and joining other fans doing the same. When we are at the stadium everyone is friendly and there for the same purpose. The environment surrounding the stadium, and I am not talking about the greenery, is so vibrate. Everyone at the stadium has a passion for the game and it is obvious. There is the people with blue and gold war paint and there is the people with the subtle Union scarf. When talking to people about the Union, I feel as though I can talk all day. Soccer has become a part of who we all are at the Union. We are one community and one family. When your favorite player is traded, we all feel the pain. But we all still root for the U. We all feel the pain and excitement of the soccer games and that is what bonds us together. As you can see, the Philadelphia Union has created a culture that is unique to the fans.
Soccer may not be as popular as other sports such as football or baseball, but it is definitely developing in America.
With the arrival of the Fifa World Cup every four years, people who never even watched soccer before become interested in supporting their country’s team. Experts following the sport state, “Every four years, the impact of the World Cup has been subtle and sometimes slow to emerge. And though the benefits to M.L.S. are often the easiest to track, the World Cup has also rubbed off on youth soccer players and soccer fans who follow overseas leagues” (Belson). Youths watching the game develop a passion towards playing. Youth soccer leagues have been growing more and more and have now become the number one youth sport in America. After each World Cup, the amount of soccer broadcasts on television and radio stations increases (Greco). The growing support for the sport is amazing. With more broadcasts and youth leagues, investors are seeing that this is potential hit. Investors invested money into the growing MLS to have more teams and more stadiums. In 2004, there were only 2 MLS soccer stadiums in contrast to 2014, where now there are 9 and growing (Belson). This sport is becoming increasingly popular in America mostly because, “It’s a sport for a changing America,” says McDermott, a television announcer (Greco). The increasing popularity of soccer is sure to spread the fan culture brought about from the
sport.
Soccer originated in Europe and can never be denied that fact, but the uprising culture in America, let alone Philly, has become far too great to be underrated. The culture of soccer in Europe is unlike anything else and also in Philly. Players from other teams in the MLS have admitted that the fans in Philadelphia are so passionate and loyal to their fans and undoubtedly the loudest in the league. Lantis concludes, “in regard to process, there is a large in-and-out movement that includes all the culture processes that we know. Elements can escape from the vernacular and become part of the mass culture” (204). Together the team and fans have escaped the vernacular and upgraded to a mass culture including all of the soccer passionate families and inspired youths.