Jim Curtin
Who coached the team Philadelphia Union from 2014 to 2015?
Philadelphia Union The Philadelphia Union are an American professional soccer club based in the Philadelphia metropolitan area . The Union compete in Major League Soccer ( MLS ) as a member of the Eastern Conference . Founded on February 28 , 2008 , the club began playing in 2010 as an expansion team . The clubs home stadium is Subaru Park , a soccer-specific stadium located in Chester , Pennsylvania on the banks of the Delaware River . The Union is currently owned by Keystone Sports & Entertainment , with Jay Sugarman serving as majority owner and chairman of the club . Professional basketball player Kevin Durant also serves as a minority owner . The clubs current head coach is Jim Curtin . Curtin has been coaching the Union since 2014 . The Union finished as runners-up in the 2014 , 2015 and 2018 U.S . Open Cup tournaments . The club lost to Seattle Sounders FC 3–1 in extra time in 2014 , and to Sporting Kansas City 6–7 on penalties after a 1–1 draw in the 2015 edition . They lost 3–0 to the Houston Dynamo in the final of the 2018 edition . In 2020 , Philadelphia secured the Supporters Shield , winning the first title in the clubs history . History . Drive for expansion . Despite being one of the ten largest metropolitan areas in the country and a top-five media market , the Philadelphia area was not represented when Major League Soccer kicked off in 1996 . The first effort to bring soccer to the Delaware Valley commenced in 2001 , when a group of investors attempted to bring an MLS franchise to Trenton , New Jersey . The centerpiece of their efforts was a $31 million soccer-specific stadium to be built across the street from the CURE Insurance Arena and with access to the under-construction NJ Transit River Line . Union FC was the intended name for the Trenton MLS team if it came to fruition . However , the MetroStars ( now the New York Red Bulls ) held the right to block a franchise in Trenton , as it would infringe on their 75-mile competition-free zone . Five years later , plans were in place to construct a 20,000-capacity stadium on the campus of Rowan University in Glassboro , New Jersey . The stadium would serve as the home field for both an MLS expansion club and Rowans football team . Ultimately , $100 million in state bonds to fund the stadium and various other improvements on the Rowan campus were dropped by New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine . Shortly after the Rowan proposal fell through , Keystone Sports & Entertainment ( the group that would eventually own the Union ) looked at a site underneath the Commodore Barry Bridge in Chester to develop a soccer-specific stadium . In 2007 , the Sons of Ben supporter group formed to raise interest toward a Major League Soccer team in Philadelphia . They are credited with demonstrating to MLS an established fan base in the market . Major League Soccer added Philadelphia as its sixteenth team on February 28 , 2008 . The finalization of the club was the result of a $47 million package approved by Delaware County politicians and Pennsylvania governor , Ed Rendell , that included the cost of Subaru Park and a major urban renewal project . In December 2009 , the Union added the Reading Rage youth soccer organization as their official minor league affiliate in the USL Premier Development League . As a result , the Rage were rebranded as Reading United AC with a new logo and colors for the 2010 PDL season . In the 2010 MLS SuperDraft , the Union selected forward Danny Mwanga from Oregon State University as the number one pick , as well as sixth and seventh picks Amobi Okugo from UCLA and Jack McInerney from the U.S . U-17 National Team in the first round . In March 2010 , the Union signed an affiliation agreement with the Harrisburg City Islanders of the United Soccer League . And in January 2012 , the Union formed their first international partnership with Deportivo Saprissa of the Costa Rican Primera División . Inaugural season . The Union played their inaugural game on March 25 , 2010 , in which they lost 2–0 to Seattle Sounders FC at Qwest Field . Sébastien Le Toux became the first player to score a goal for Philadelphia in their home opener on April 10 , 2010 , a 3–2 win over D.C . United at Lincoln Financial Field . The team again played Seattle Sounders FC for the first match at Subaru Park on June 27 , 2010 . Le Toux scored the Unions initial goal at the venue from a penalty kick , which was instrumental to their 3–1 victory . All 12,000 season ticket packages for 2010 were sold prior to this opener . At the end of the inaugural season the Union finished 7th in the Eastern Conference and 14th overall in the league with a record of 8–15–7 ( W-L-T ) . The Piotr Nowak era ( 2010–12 ) . The Union picked up three players in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft , most notably Zac MacMath , who was the fifth overall draft pick . On January 11 , 2011 , the Union acquired shirt sponsor Bimbo Bakeries USA . On January 20 , Philadelphia introduced two new players : Colombians Faryd Mondragón ( GK ) and Carlos Valdés ( D ) . Mondragón had recently come from playing with 1 . FC Köln in the German Bundesliga , and has at least 50 caps with the Colombian national team . Valdés came from Independiente Santa Fe in the Colombian First Division , where he served as captain before coming to Philadelphia . The Union also signed during the summer transfer window US International Freddy Adu . The team made a complete turnaround in the 2011 season , finishing 3rd in the Eastern Conference and 8th overall in the league with a record of 11–8–15 ( W-L-T ) scoring 44 goals and allowing 36 . This marked the 1st time the Philadelphia Union qualified for the MLS Cup Playoffs . The Union had a stellar start of the season that saw them win 4 and only lost 1 of their first six league games . In the 2011 MLS Cup Playoffs the Union lost the first leg of the MLS Eastern Conference semi-finals 2–1 at home on October 30 , 2011 , with the 1st playoff Union goal coming from Sebastien Le Toux . The Union then lost the 2nd leg 1–0 on November 3 , 2011 , against the future MLS Cup finalist Houston Dynamo . Nowak to Hackworth ( 2012–14 ) . John Hackworth became the Unions interim coach on June 13 , 2012 , receiving the role permanently on August 30 , 2012 . The Union finished their third season in eighth place in the Eastern Conference and fifteenth in MLS overall , with a record of 10–18–6 ( W-L-T ) , scoring 37 goals and allowing 45 . Antoine Hoppenot , who was selected in the third round of the 2012 Supplemental Draft , netted four goals within 817 minutes of play . Subaru Park , then known as PPL Park , was the site of the 2012 MLS All-Star Game in which the MLS All-Stars defeated Chelsea F.C. , 3–2 . The Union also made it to the semifinals of the 2012 Lamar Hunt U.S . Open Cup after defeating the Rochester Rhinos 3–0 in the third round and winning against D.C . United on the road 2–1 , after extra time , in the fourth round . They subsequently defeated the Harrisburg City Islanders , their main affiliate at the time , 5–2 in the quarterfinals . The Union traded allocation money in order to take the first overall pick , which was used on goalkeeper and Jamaican international Andre Blake . They then traded down multiple times in order to select Coastal Carolina University midfielder Pedro Ribeiro . Other new , preseason acquisitions included Maurice Edu , French midfielder Vincent Nogueira , Argentinian midfielder Cristian Maidana , and former MLS Rookie of the Year defender Austin Berry . Despite these additions , the Union still languished in mediocrity , winning just two of their first 14 games , posting a record of 2–7–5 ( W-L-T ) . On April 20 , 2014 , the Union traded forward Jack McInerney to the Montreal Impact for winger Andrew Wenger , a Lancaster , Pennsylvania native . Hackworths coaching career with the Union ended on June 10 , 2014 . Jim Curtin takes charge ( 2014–present ) . Although failing to make the playoffs , the Union reached the 2014 Lamar Hunt U.S . Open Cup finals for the first time in the clubs history . During the offseason , the club traded for forward C . J . Sapong from Sporting Kansas City . They also traded long time defensive midfielder Amobi Okugo to Orlando City SC . Other new preseason acquisitions included FC Nantes loanee Fernando Aristeguieta , S.L . Benfica loanee Steven Vitória , and free agent Cameroonian 18-year-old midfielder Eric Ayuk . During the 2015 MLS SuperDraft the Union drafted forward Dzenan Catic from Bosnia-Herzegovina , midfielder Eric Bird , and defender Raymond Lee . During the expansion draft , Orlando City SC drafted Philadelphia midfielder Pedro Ribeiro . Despite all the offseason transactions , the Union only registered one win in their first ten league games with a record of 1–6–3 ( W-L-T ) . During the 2015 summer transfer window , the Union traded longtime defender Sheanon Williams to the Houston Dynamo for allocation money , which they used to sign Swiss midfielder Tranquillo Barnetta on July 29 , 2015 . The club achieved a successful run in the 2015 Lamar Hunt U.S . Open Cup , earning a second consecutive appearance in the Open Cup final . This match took place against Sporting Kansas City , at Subaru Park on September 30 , 2015 . In 2016 , the Union would acquire Chris Pontius from D.C . United , Surinames midfielder Roland Alberg , and Brazilian right midfielder Ilsinho . They would also acquire U.S . international Alejandro Bedoya in the summer transfer window . The Union would also add key players from the 2016 MLS SuperDraft including Josh Yaro , Keegan Rosenberry , and Fabian Herbers . The 2016 season saw success from Goalkeeper Andre Blake who later would win the 2016 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Award . The Union were in constant playoff contention , however went 0–5–2 ( W-L-T ) in the final 7 matches of the regular season . The Union would still reach the playoffs for only the 2nd time in team history , beating out New England Revolution on goal differential . The Union were beaten 3–1 in the Knockout round of the 2016 MLS Cup Playoffs by Toronto FC . Colors and badge . On May 11 , 2009 , the Philadelphia Unions name , crest , and colors were officially announced during a ceremony held at Philadelphia City Hall . Union alludes to the union of the Thirteen Colonies , of which Philadelphia was the first capital . The name was chosen following a fan poll held between January 19 , 2009 and February 6 , 2009 ; the other three options were AC Philadelphia , SC Philadelphia , and Philadelphia City . The Unions colors are navy blue and gold , representing the primary colors of the Continental Armys uniforms during the American Revolutionary War . The teams crest is circular , symbolizing unity . Its thirteen gold stars represent the original Thirteen Colonies , while the shields contour derives from the Philadelphia coat of arms . The rattlesnake pays homage to the Join , or Die political cartoon by Benjamin Franklin that was featured in the 1754 Pennsylvania Gazette , and is also reminiscent of the Gadsden flag , another Revolutionary icon . The light blue in the middle of the crest is a tribute to the Sons of Ben , and is further derived from the civic flag of Philadelphia . Coincidentally , the navy blue , gold , and light blue colors of the Union are also the predominant colors in the state flags of Pennsylvania , New Jersey , and Delaware . The teams secondary logo is a simplified version of the aforementioned design consisting of the blue shield with the rattlesnake , augmented with a gold border and a ribbon bearing the teams official motto : jungite aut perite , a Latin translation of the phrase join or die , which was also used in the 1754 Benjamin Franklin political cartoon mentioned above . The Philadelphia Unions name and colors also allude to the states important role during the Civil War . In February 2013 , the team unveiled a third uniform that commemorated Bethlehem Steel F.C. , one of the most successful early American soccer clubs . The kit was primarily black with white trim , featuring a sublimated Union emblem , and a Bethlehem Steel F.C . jock tag . Stadium . - Subaru Park ; Chester , Pennsylvania ( 2010–present ) - Lincoln Financial Field ; Philadelphia ( 2010 ) The Union play most of their games at Subaru Park ( formerly Talen Energy Stadium , and prior to that PPL Park ) , an 18,500-seat soccer-specific stadium located at the southwesterly corner of the Commodore Barry Bridge ( U.S . Route 322 ) . The structure was designed by Rossetti Architects and the ICON Venue Group , with the actual construction contracted to the Ardmore-based T.N . Ward Company . Subaru Parks design allows clear views of the Delaware River for approximately sixty percent of its spectators , and is the centerpiece of Chesters urban renewal process . The Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA ) worked with the city of Chester to ensure that construction activities did not impact the nearby parking facility which had been the site of the Wade Dump , a previously polluted Superfund site . The Union train at YSC Sports in Wayne , a community located 17 miles north of Chester . Training facility . The Philadelphia Union training fields are right outside Subaru Park ; Chester , Pennsylvania . The training complex features 2 grass fields that were constructed in fall 2014 . Prior to having dedicated training fields , the Union was practicing at a nearby municipal park called Chester Park or directly at Subaru Park . In 2016 , the Philadelphia Union opened a 16,500 square foot training facility and offices built in the former machine shop of the Chester Waterside Station of the Philadelphia Electric Company . Youth development . USL Team . On August 19 , 2015 , the team announced that they would operate a reserve team in Bethlehem , Pennsylvania that will compete in the United Soccer League ( USL ) starting in 2016 with matches being played at Lehigh Universitys Goodman Stadium . As a part of the announcement , the Union agreed to dissolve their partnership with the Harrisburg City Islanders . On October 27 , 2015 , Bethlehem Steel FCs name , crest , and colors were officially announced during a ceremony held at the ArtsQuest at SteelStacks . Steel FC alludes to the historical Bethlehem Steel F.C . soccer club , which played from 1907 to 1930 . The name was chosen following a fan poll held between September 8 , 2015 and September 30 , 2015 . In December 2019 , the Union announced that the Bethlehem Steel identity would be retired ahead of the 2020 season and the club would become known as Philadelphia Union II . Philadelphia Union Academy . The Philadelphia Union operates an elite youth Academy training and competition program starting with the Under-9 age group and running through Under-17 , after which players graduate to Union II , the Philadelphia Unions second team . As for competition , the Union participates in MLS Next starting with the Under-13 age group . MLS Next is an elite North American youth soccer league organized , managed , and controlled by Major League Soccer . The league was launched in 2020 . The Unions younger age groups from Under-9 through Under-12 participate in various regional leagues and tournaments , often playing one year up . The Union Academy teams train and compete in Wayne , Pennsylvania , as well as in Chester , Pennsylvania , home of Philadelphia Unions first team organization . While the Unions competition rosters in MLS Next are composed of boys teams representing age groups Under-13 through Under-17 , the Union Academy is unusual in that with many of its young players are competing with and even starting for the Unions USL Championship team , Union II . Widely considered one of the top youth academies affiliated with an MLS club , the Union Academy has seen success in tournaments both domestic and international . The Union Academy sources talent internally through the Union Junior Academy , as well as externally through well-regarded local area programs such as FC Delco , Real Jersey FC , and The SWAG . Families have even been known to relocate to Pennsylvania to take advantage of the many benefits provided through the Union Academy such as admittance to the YSC Academy , a world class soccer training and college preparatory school that operates in an alliance with the Union Academy . The Philadelphia Union Academy has produced numerous players for the Philadelphia Union , Union II , elite NCAA programs , and professional clubs across the world . YSC Academy . Between 70 and 80 of the Philadelphia Union Academys players attend private school YSC Academy which was founded by Philadelphia Union investor Richie Graham in September 2013 as an innovative , first-of its-kind , soccer-specific school for elite soccer players from grades 6 through 12 . The school has campuses in Wayne , Pennsylvania and at the Unions training complex in Chester , Pennsylvania and is designed for student-athletes who aspire to play professional-level soccer . YSC Academys first graduating class was in 2015 . A substantial portion of the schools graduates have gone on to play professionally for the Philadelphia Union and other teams , with the balance going to college . Club culture . Supporters . Grassroots support was instrumental to the founding of the Philadelphia Union and the construction of Subaru Park . This backing came in the form of a supporters group known as the Sons of Ben , which was founded in January 2007 . The Sons of Ben petitioned Major League Soccer to expand to the Philadelphia market until the official expansion announcement was made in January 2008 . Named for Founding Father and Philadelphia icon , Benjamin Franklin , the group was included in the expansion press conference , singing their anthem , Im Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover , and closing the event by presenting scarves to the ownership group . They were also present on May 11 , 2009 for the naming ceremony at City Hall . While the Sons of Ben are the predominant and official supporters group , smaller supporters groups also exist . These include the Tammany Saints ( sections 101 and 133 ) , the IllegitimateS ( section 133 ) , the Corner Creeps ( section 134 ) , the Bridge Crew ( sections 120–121 ) , La Union Latina ( section 114 ) , and The Keystone State Ultras ( section 140 ) . Rivalries . The Philadelphia Unions primary rival is D.C . United . These rivalries exist primarily because of geographical proximity and the traditional animosities between the metropolitan areas of Philadelphia and Washington , D.C . in other professional sports leagues . The Union has a smaller rivalry with the New York Red Bulls due primarily to geographical proximity . Harrison , New Jersey , where the Red Bulls play , is roughly a 90-mile drive from Center City , Philadelphia . The Union also have a bit of a rivalry with Seattle Sounders FC despite the between Philadelphia and Seattle . The cross-country feud started when the Philadelphia Union played its inaugural MLS game in Seattle . It continued when Subaru Parks first-ever home game pitted the club against Seattle . The rivalry culminated as they were regularly compared to the 2009 expansion Sounders FC during their inaugural 2010 season as noted by defender Danny Califf , Last year there was all this measuring of us against Seattle in their inaugural year , so maybe it created a bit more of a rivalry . Theyre a good team coming in here , and after the start they had theyd really like to take it to us . - Figures correct as of February 8 , 2020 . Includes all competitive matches Matches played include all league , cup and playoff games . The win percentage is calculated from the total of games . Note Open Cup matches decided by penalty kicks are officially recorded as draws Sponsorship . On January 11 , 2011 , the Philadelphia Union announced a four-year agreement with Bimbo Bakeries USA to be its official jersey sponsor . The companys U.S . headquarters is located in the Philadelphia suburb of Horsham , thus providing local and global exposure to the team . It was also announced that Bimbo will be the official bread and baked goods partner of both the Union and Major League Soccer , as well as an overall league sponsor . The sponsorship deal is valued at about $12 million . Bimbo and the Union agreed in 2014 to renew their sponsorship arrangement for five years at an annual value of $2.3 million . On November 26 , 2014 , the Union announced the Milton , Delaware-based Dogfish Head Brewery as their official beer sponsor . The deal included the establishment of a beer garden at Subaru Park . Broadcasting . As of the 2018 season , WPHL-TV and WPVI-TV are the main English-language television broadcasters for Union matches not carried by Major League Soccers national media partners , with JP Dellacamera on play-by-play . The broadcasts are produced by WPVI , and part of the package is aired by the station . During the 2012 MLS season , seventeen select home and road matches were broadcast on radio by WIP . The Union also collaborated with WIP on a weekly hour-long soccer show . Beginning with the MLS is Back Tournament in July 2020 , the Union moved to WDAS . Management . Head coaches . This list includes all those who have managed the club since 2010 , when the club joined Major League Soccer for the first time , whether coaching on a full-time or interim basis . Games played include all League , Cup , Playoff , and the win percentage is calculated from the total of games . . Includes all competitive matches Sporting directors . - Diego Gutierrez : 2011–2012 - Earnie Stewart : 2015–2018 - Ernst Tanner : 2018– Ownership . Keystone Sports & Entertainment ( S&E ) owns the Philadelphia Union and Bethlehem Steel FC . Jay Sugarman , ( CEO ) of iStar Financial , leads this group including Christopher F . Buccini , Robert Buccini , and David B . Pollin – co-founders of the Buccini/Pollin Group ; Joseph J . Greco , chairman of the RevSpring technology company and president of Premier Management Services ; and David Seltzer , principal and co-founder of the Mercator financial advisors . Nick Sakiewicz was the former CEO and investor in Keystone S&E until October 3 , 2015 , when Sugarman purchased his shares in the club and discontinued his involvement . His termination was primarily due to his strained relationship with the Unions fanbase , which blamed Sakiewicz for the teams mediocre record . On June 15 , 2020 , it was announced that basketball player Kevin Durant had become an investor and community partner for the club , purchasing five percent of the club with potentially another five percent in the near future . Honors and achievements . - Major League Soccer - Supporters Shield - Champions : 2020 - Cup - U.S . Open Cup - Runners-up : 2014 , 2015 , 2018 - Other - MLS Fair Play Award : 2014 , 2015 Team records . Year-by-year . This is a partial list of the last five seasons completed by the Union . For the full season-by-season history , see List of Philadelphia Union seasons . Player records . Most goals . Bold signifies current Union player Other player records . Includes all league , cup , and playoffs matches . Field players - Games played : Ray Gaddis ( 185 ) - Minutes played : Ray Gaddis ( 15,583 ) - Goals : Sébastien Le Toux ( 52 ) - Assists : Sébastien Le Toux ( 52 ) - Shots : Sébastien Le Toux ( 322 ) - Shots on goal : Sébastien Le Toux ( 145 ) - Game-winning goals : Sébastien Le Toux ( 10 ) - Penalty kick goals : Sébastien Le Toux ( 8 ) - Multi-goal games : Sébastien Le Toux ( 4 ) - Hat tricks : Sébastien Le Toux , Roland Alberg , C . J . Sapong , Sergio Santos ( 1 each ) Goalkeepers - Game played : Andre Blake ( 115 ) - Minutes played : Andre Blake ( 10,314 ) - Wins : Andre Blake ( 42 ) - Goals against average : Faryd Mondragón ( 1.07 ) - Saves : Andre Blake ( 373 ) - Shutouts : Andre Blake ( 30 )