Conveniency key in Union’s plan to draw fans

PPL Park is a gem of a soccer stadium by the Commodore Barry Bridge. (Getty Images)

The Broad Street line is a Philadelphia sports fans staple when it comes to attending a sporting event. Slide your token through the turnstile, wait for the orange-seated bullet heading southbound and you’re at the gates to the stadium of your choosing within minutes.

For the newest member to the Philadelphia sports scene, the Union, it’s been an adjustment period in terms of getting fans out to their beautiful stadium – PPL Park in Chester.

SEPTA has worked closely with the Union to give fans of the blue and gold accommodating and convenient options for their commute on game day.

“We try to make the best possible fan experience that we can to and from the games,” said SEPTA press officer Kristen Geiger. “We have our Wilmington/Newark regional rail line and another option would be taking a trolley to the Chester Transportation Center. That stop is actually located at 6th and Welsh Street and there is free shuttle service from there to PPL Park and back.”

PPL Park is located along the Delaware River in Chester, right underneath the Commodore Barry Bridge. The Union front office and SEPTA work tirelessly to ensure that the 18,500 seat stadium gets packed for every game and that the customers can have the best possible experience while commuting to and from games.

General Manager of PPL Park, Mike Scanlon, says that he can ensure fans a pleasant experience no matter how high the stakes of a game may be.

“We’ve been at near or max capacity for most of our games and winning always helps,” said Scanlon. “What we try to do here is the total experience for fans. We focus on the stadium itself, the game and the staff the most. We can’t control what happens on the pitch but we can control everything outside of that. We focus on things like traffic, having a friendly staff and. of course. making sure your beers are cold. Just the overall costumer experience.”

The Union currently stand at 2-2-1, good for fifth in the Eastern Conference. They face Toronto FC this Saturday in Chester at 4 p.m.