Philadelphia Union Announce 2023 Preseason Schedule
The Philadelphia Union have released their 2023 preseason schedule as they look to rebound following October’s heartbreaking loss in PK’s to LA in the MLS Cup.
- Jan. 21 – 12 pm ET vs. Austin FC, closed-door scrimmage at ​​IMG Academy
- Jan. 24 – 4 pm ET vs. St. Louis CITY SC, closed-door scrimmage at Florida Gulf Coast University
- Jan. 27 – 11 am ET vs. Minnesota United FC, closed-door scrimmage at University of Central Florida
- Feb. 5 – 12 pm ET vs. New England Revolution, closed-door scrimmage at Premier Sports Campus
- Feb. 10 – 12 pm ET vs. FC Cincinnati at Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex
- Feb. 14 – 2 pm ET vs. Nashville SC, closed-door scrimmage at Al Lang Stadium
- Feb. 18 – 11 am ET vs. Colorado Rapids closed-door at ChampionsGate Sports Complex
If you are itching for some Philadelphia Union action during the dog days of winter, well you are in luck because the Union will be kicking off their season against Austin FC this Saturday February 21st at 12 pm EST just prior to the Eagles rout of the New York Giants.
It actually took me quite a bit of investigation to determine if you can actually watch any of these games and as it turns out, probably not. According to MLS.com, the first contest is a closed-door scrimmage at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL. After some further digging it turns out that the entirety of the preseason will take place behind closed doors at various sports complexes around the Sunshine State.
I have to admit that I am not a die-hard supporter of the Philadelphia Union or soccer in general. But even I recognize that it’s a bad look for a professional sports league that has flirted with signing Lionel Messi and attracts other European greats in the back-end of their career to be playing games behind closed doors with no cameras.
Even watching the Union in the regular season is going be tough as they recently announced that only three of their games will be aired on regular television. If you want to follow the team for the rest of their season, you will have to pony up some additional hard-earned cash to purchase an MLS subscription through Apple TV.
I am already up to my eyeballs in different subscriptions to streaming services after reluctantly paying for Paramount+ and Peacock to watch Yellowstone and 1883 respectively. It’s so cold outside that I am willing to pay for mediocre television that was made to appeal to our parent’s demographic. But pay for mediocre soccer?
With a price point of $14.99/month or $99 for the season, I will probably pass on that.
Sorry Philadelphia Union.
For a league and a sport that is actively trying to draft off the immense recent popularity of the World Cup and the growing viewership for European Soccer (shoutout Wrexham FC), they are making it increasingly hard for the casual fan to grow accustomed to caring about their local team.
Given the option, I would gladly watch a few minutes of a exhibition soccer match in Florida while nervously awaiting an Eagles playoff game. But you have to give me the option and a subscription with Apple TV just isn’t it!
It’s the second piece of bad news on a Friday, as it was announced this morning by Vox Media that they will no longer continue to coverage of the Flyers or Union on their SB Nation branded blogs. Obviously, thats good news for us at The Liberty Line as a competitor just bit the dust and will no longer be catching eyeballs.
Yes, I feel bad for the employees that were laid off but SB Nation stinks and should also close their various other shitty ‘Philadelphia’ sports blogs.
I probably just angered a few of the most enthusiastic and passionate supporters of the team down in Chester. But if they want this team to truly succeed and gain the passion of the Philadelphia fanbase the team and the league just have to do better.
….And don’t even get me started on that sad excuse for a snake mascot running (or slithering) around Subaru Park on game days.
DOOP!
Mandatory Photo Credit: MLS.com
