Union manager John Hackworth and the technical staff continue to prepare for Saturday’s clash with New England (5 p.m., buy tickets).
In a story that will be featured in the upcoming Coaches Club monthly newsletter, Hackworth offered a few words regarding the growth of the Union’s youth academy, which bolstered its leadership with the announcement today of former Rangers FC academy technical director Tommy Wilson joining as Academy director. If you aren’t a subscriber to the Coaches Club newsletter and would like more information, click here.
Oh and back to Hack, mind you this is after a long night of glad handing and mingling at the Philadelphia Union Foundation’s inaugural “Cocktails and Cleats” gala.
Speaking of the gala…
The night was a great success; over 450 people were in attendance inside the Hyatt at the Bellevue including the players and coaching staff. Other notables in attendance, in an effort to raise funds to benefit the lives of the children in Chester through soccer, included ESPN and former Union analyst Taylor Twellman, as well as former Union player and current Union broadcaster Alejandro Moreno. Both Comcast Sports Net and 6abc were on hand covering the planned-to-be annual event. The event honored Chester humanitarian Pat Trippley-DeMiranda and the work she’s done in the community since the 2004 death of her son, Will Trippley III.
We are still tallying up just how much the event raised for the Foundation, but all around it’s impossible to quantify what it will do for scores of kids in the Chester community.
Many of the players expressed their gratitude for being a part of the night like Amobi Okugo, who said via Twitter:
March 14, 2013
Goalkeeper Zac MacMath added:
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Moving on…
Does your kid want to be a ball kid for this weekend’s game?
Send a description of how your kid has the most Union pride. Doesn’t need to be a lot, a maximum of 200 words on your son or daughter’s affinity for the blue and gold via email to newmedia@philadelphiaunion.com and we will announce the winner via both social media and tomorrow’s “The Daily Doop.” Children must be 14 years of age or older and accompanied by a parent or guardian going to the game.
Also, in the spirit of Saturday’s “Irish Night” theme, “Lucky the Leprechaun” will be roaming around PPL Park. If you see him, make sure you get a picture with him. All fans that find Lucky will have a chance to win great prizes and be featured on philadelphiaunion.com. Just upload your picture with Lucky to Twitter or Instagram using the hashtags #IrishNightatPPLPark and #GetLucky.
That is all for now, catch you all tomorrow for our weekend edition…
Contact Union writer Kerith Gabriel at kgabriel@philadelphiaunion.com
