So the forecast calls for rain Saturday.
So what?
Some of the most memorable games for the Philadelphia Union have been played in wet, wild conditions – many that at the end of it all found the Union celebrating a victory right here at PPL Park.
Should there be a shower for the Union’s match against Montreal Saturday (4 p.m., purchase tickets) know that even though you can't bring an umbrella into the Park, the satisfaction of the remembering "where you were when," makes getting a little wet a very small price to pay.
PPL Park in his short time of existence has been the home of some unforgettable moments, but philadelphiaunion.com scanned all of them since the home opener in 2010 and narrowed down the top five (5) that were played in maybe not the best weather, but were matches that those in attendance won’t soon forget.
5.Chile vs. Ghana, international friendly
February 29, 2012: PPL Park, Chester, Pa.
Torrential downpour, high winds and foreign football did not detract from quite the exhibition. Fans of both countries stayed, cheered and sang for 90 minutes in spite of an extended intermission and an interesting halftime performance as both nations battled to a 1-1 draw.
Match recap from Philly.com
4.Seattle Sounders vs. Union, MLS regular season match
April 16, 2011; PPL Park, Chester, Pa.
This match ended in a tie, but it was a Union side that led courtesy of a Carlos Ruiz goal until literally the last minute of second half stoppage time. Ruiz netted in the 32nd minute, but a defensive miscue found Seattle escaping with a point in a driving downpour that made visibility of the players tough to see from the stands.
Match recap:Click here
3.New England Revolution vs. Union, MLS regular season match
March 16, 2013; PPL Park, Chester, Pa.
It was the beginning of the season that was the "Jack Mac Attack" on Major League Soccer. Notching his second goal in as many games that season, Union forward Jack McInerney put yet another one away in the 76th minute against the rival Revolution. This was a game that weather-wise and in terms of its physical nature on the field can only be described as nasty.
This was a postgame quote from defender Sheanon Williams:
“When you get weather like that, with the rain and the hail before the game, it kind of throws [traditional] soccer out of the window. We tried as best as we could to get it down and play. Sometimes, that failed and that’s when the battles happened. I think we stepped up well to the occasion today and we did what we needed to do.”
Match recap: Click here
2.Rochester Rhinos vs. Union, Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
May 29, 2012; PPL Park, Chester, Pa.
This one was actually pretty frightening.
The skies looked as if Armageddon was on the horizon and the lightning and rain that followed were equally as menacing. In a rain delay that lasted well over an hour, the Union picked up its first ever win in U.S. Open Cup play after Freddy Adu scored a pair in a 2-1 win over the Rhinos. Remember Josue Martinez? He kicked things off in this one, scoring in the fifth minute.
Match recap: Click here
1. Chivas USA vs. Union, MLS regular season match
July 12, 2013; PPL Park, Chester, Pa.
Behind three second half goals, the second of which could rival as one of the closest goals ever scored from a set piece in MLS history, the Union dispatched Chivas USA, 3-1 in a storm that featured insane winds and a driving rain that wouldn’t quit. It didn’t stop 15,172 in attendance from seeing the Union pick up three points and a goal from former midfielder Michael Farfan who scored from just outside the six-yard-box on an indirect set piece. Union captain Brian Carroll and forward Conor Casey bagged the other two.
Match recap: Click here
Think of a game we missed? Add it in the comments. Also click on the poll below for which moment of these five you think is the best.
Contact Union digital editor Kerith Gabriel at kgabriel@philadelphiaunion.com
Which moment do you like best
