The Union's New Soccer Stadium Name: PPL Park
by Jeff Gammage (Article | Philadelphia Inquirer - February 1)
Energy company PPL Corp. is close to signing a 10-year, $20 million naming-rights deal with the Philadelphia Union, the region's new pro soccer team. more details | go to article

Drpa Kicking In $10 Million For Soccer
by Paul Nussbaum (Article | Philadelphia Inquirer - February 21)
The port agency's decision comes as it considers raising its bridge tolls. more details | go to article

Soccer Announcement Date Is Set For Feb. 28
by Jeff Gammage (Article | Philadelphia Inquirer - February 21)
Plans for an expansion team and stadium will be unveiled in Chester next week, sources say. more details | go to article

Soccer Deal Is Within Reach, Say Sources
by Jeff Gammage (Article | Philadelphia Inquirer - February 13)
Major League Soccer is moving swiftly toward an agreement that will grant a long-sought expansion team to the Philadelphia region, several sources have confirmed. more details | go to article

Sons Of Ben Have One Goal: Pro Soccer, Here
by Associated Press (Article | Philadelphia Inquirer - September 17)
They're an enthusiastic and growing fan club for a local team that doesn't exist. more details | go to article

Pro Soccer Deal In Chester Near, Investors Say
by Mari A. Schaefer (Article | Philadelphia Inquirer - September 7)
A group of investors say they own the site and have the private financial backing necessary for a Major League Soccer stadium in Chester, and believe they will get the state aid and the league approval necessary to complete the deal in the coming months. more details | go to article

Soccer Commish: A Philly-Area Team Picking Up Steam
by William Bender (Article | Philadelphia Inquirer - September 7)
Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber yesterday gave his strongest indication yet that Philadelphia will have its own soccer franchise by 2010 - and that its stadium will be built in nearby Chester City. more details | go to article

Book It: MLS Team Is Coming To Chester
by Anthony SanFilippo (Commentary | Delco Times - September 7)
Went to a news conference Thursday. You know, the one where some political types and some important soccer execs gathered to discuss the possibility of bringing a professional sports franchise to Delaware County. more details | go to article

Philadelphia Wins Support For MLS Franchise Plan
by Reuters (Article | Yahoo - September 7)
Philadelphia has emerged as favourite for an expansion slot in Major League Soccer after the league's commissioner lent his support to plans for a stadium and team in the city. more details | go to article

Area MLS Team? It Ads Up
by Paul Vigna (Article | Philadelphia Inquirer - August 29)
The decision by Major League Soccer on whether to put a franchise here is still at least a few months off, but supporters have been buoyed by everything they've heard recently. more details | go to article

Area Slowly Scoring An MLS Team
by Bob Ford (Article | Philadelphia Inquirer - August 24)
After years of missteps and restarts, mostly built on solid logic but flimsy funding, the Philadelphia area is approaching the critical mass necessary to land an expansion franchise in Major League Soccer. more details | go to article

Kick In The Grass
by Mark Dent (Article | The Intelligencer (Philadelphia) - August 16)
Rich Finneyfrock has seen how the public treats soccer superstars.His friend, a former member of England's national team, lived a lifestyle usually reserved for Hollywood's finest. more details | go to article

Stamp Of Approval
by Associated Press (Article | Sports Illustrated - August 15)
Pa. governor supports MLS plan for Philly franchise more details | go to article

A Rendell Assist For Nevels' Soccer Team
by Susan Snyder and Mario F. Cattabiani (Article | Philadelphia Inquirer - August 15)
A proposal to bring a major-league soccer franchise to the city of Chester appears to be gaining some momentum, with Gov. Rendell saying he likes the idea. more details | go to article

Soccer Franchise Plan Advances
by William Bender and Dave Davies (Article | Philadelphia Inquirer - August 15)
James Nevels' plan to bring a Major League Soccer stadium to Chester appears to be moving forward, with deep-pocketed investors lining up and Gov. Rendell indicating his support for a soccer franchise in Southeastern Pennsylvania. more details | go to article