First Trip to PPL Park

   Finally made it to PPL Park Saturday night to see the Union play for the first time since their inaugural match back on April 10, 2010 at the Linc.  Despite the oppressive humidity and the electrical storm that delayed the second half and caused us to leave before the half began, it was a fun time as the Union played to a scoreless tie with the Portland Timbers.

   Just as the teams left the field for intermission, the lightning bolts from the dark storm clouds across the Delaware River coupled with a downpour forced an extended halftime of nearly 40 minutes,  Between the humidity, the later hour and the prospect of wet seats and possibly more rain, Debbie and I left just as play resumed.

   The 45 minutes we watched were entertaining, albeit somewhat slow-paced, but the it was about 90 degrees at the opening whistle.  Although the Inquirer reported a sell-out of 18,740, we saw quite a few empty seats at the opening whistle.  I thought the Timbers generally had the better of the play in the first half, although the Union certainly had some chances.  But according to the Inquirer, the home team stepped it up in the second half and Portland needed some great saves from Donovan Ricketts to salvage the draw.

   We sat on the southwest corner, 19 rows from the field, inside the 18-yard line, and not far from the boisterous Sons of Ben fan club's area on the south end.  It was very cool when the Sons unfurled a large American flag as the crowd joined in to sing the Star Spangled Banner.  The Sons kept up the noise level, and drum beats, throughout the half.  There was a lame attempt by the team to have everyone sing I'm Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover at the 20:10 mark of the game to commemorate the team's founding in 2010.  I get the 20:10 but no one explained the significance of the song and it doesn't matter because very few sang it.

   The stadium itself is everything positive I'd read about it: clean, soccer-specific, good seating, plenty or rest rooms and uncrowded (but typically over-priced) concessions stands.  Definitely a good place to watch a game, and far more convenient to South Jersey fans than Villanova Stadium where the Philadelphia Charge (R.I.P.) of the W.U.S.A. played.  The parking is likewise overpriced at $20, but the lots are well lit and managed by the team,  They could use some numbering of areas to make it easier to find your car afterwards, and the signage leading out of Lot C where we parked is confusing or non-existent, as are the signs directing traffic to and from the Commodore Barry Bridge.