MLS is Back – The Return of Philadelphia Sports!

CHESTER, Pa. – July 7, 2020- Philadelphia Union today announced a television special, streamed pre- and postgame shows, and a socially distant, outdoor watch party at Subaru Park surrounding the Union’s return to play as a part of the MLS is Back Tournament. The Philadelphia Union will take the field on Thursday, July 9 at 9 a.m. ET (ESPN) against NYCFC in what will mark the return of Philadelphia sports.

To celebrate the team’s return, the Union has announced the following:

Philadelphia Union: MLS is Back Special presented by Premier Orthopaedics – Tuesday, July 7 @ 8 p.m. ET on PHL17: In the one-hour special, hosts Dave Leno and Union alumni Sébastien Le Toux will highlight the start and return of the Union’s 2020 campaign as well as provide an in depth breakdown of the MLS is Back Tournament.

Season Ticket Member Watch Party presented by ACME – Thursday, July 9 @ 8 a.m. ET at Subaru Park:The Union will host a socially distant, outdoor watch party exclusively for 200 season ticket holders, in accordance with Pennsylvania and Delaware County health and safety guidelines. Attending fans will have an enhanced in-stadium watch party experience from Subaru Park’s brand new 109’ x 32’ HDR Video Board and be able to visit the Union shop beginning at 7:30 a.m. ET (limit ten guests in store at a time). Masks are mandatory for all attendees at the event. Additional information about future watch parties will be announced at a later date. Depending on game, Union partners Bimbo Bakeries USA, BODYARMOR, or Chick-fil-A will provide snacks and refreshments for attending fans.

Pre- and Postgame Shows on PhiladelphiaUnion.com and Philadelphia Union Social Media Channels: Each Union game of the group stage will feature a pre- and/or postgame show with commentary from the fan’s favorite personalities. The July 9 game against NYCFC will feature a one-hour pregame show beginning at 8 a.m. ET and a 30-minute postgame show immediately following the match featuring Dave Leno and Sébastien Le Toux. The July 14 match-up against Nashville SC will feature a one-hour pregame show (7 p.m. ET) and a postgame show for the July 19 game against Inter Miami CF, both with JP Dellacamera and Sébastien Le Toux. Digital re-airs, presented by Bimbo Bakeries USA, of each broadcast will be streamed on PhiladelphiaUnion.com 48 hours after the original airing.

Virtual Watch Parties: Many fans will receive a special invitation to join live virtual watch parties during the Union’s MLS Is Back Tournament matches. Fans in these watch parties may be shown on the jumbotron at the match itself or on television.

To celebrate a week out from the first game, the Union hosted a socially distant send-off at Subaru Park on July 2 in which masked fans lined the street, spaced ten feet apart, waving flags as the team left to head to Orlando.

As part of Major League Soccer’s MLS is Back Tournament in Orlando, Fl., the Philadelphia Union will take the field for the first time since March 8 and will be the first Philadelphia professional sports team to return to play. The Union will face NYCFC on July 9, Nashville SC on July 14, and Inter Miami CF on July 19 in the group stage of the tournament.

• Game 1: New York City FC (Thursday, July 9th; 9 a.m. ET on ESPN, ESPN Deportes)
• Game 2: Nashville SC (Tuesday, July 14th; 8 p.m. ET on TUDN)
• Game 3: Inter Miami CF (Sunday, July 19th; 10:30 p.m. ET on FS1, TUDN)

The MLS is Back Tournament is the league’s restart to the 2020 season with MLS clubs competing at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida beginning July 8. The tournament, which will be played without fans in attendance, provides a compelling way for MLS to resume its 25th season. Group stage matches will count in the MLS regular season standings and the tournament winner will earn a spot in the 2021 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League.