MLS Union May Have To Play Some Games At Lincoln Financial Field

Union Might Have To Play At Eagles' Field If Soccer Stadium Under Construction Not Finished

MLS Philadelphia Union President Tom Veit indicated that the team "might have to play the first home game in its existence at Lincoln Financial Field next year," according to Kerith Gabriel of the PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS. Veit confirmed that the team has "explored the option in case the 18,500-seat soccer stadium under construction on Chester's waterfront runs behind its completion date." Veit noted that talks with Lincoln Financial Field officials have "gone smoothly and they are willing to accommodate the team if need be" (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 9/18). In DC, Steve Goff noted MLS Wednesday had "hoped to announce pairings and dates for every club's home opener" next season, but will "wait until next week in order to address issues in at least two cities." With the Union's stadium under construction and "no certain date for completion, an alternate location for at least one game has been discussed with league officials." Goff noted Lincoln Financial Field, which opened in '03 and seats approximately 68,000 fans, has hosted the Women's World Cup, Gold Cup and int'l friendlies (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 9/16).

BUILDING BLOCKS: EPL club Liverpool co-Owner Tom Hicks said that "too much money has already been spent for the Premier League team's proposed new stadium not to be eventually built." The AP's Rob Harris noted construction on the new site was "frozen in August 2008 just before the world sank into a deep economic depression, and Hicks acknowledges he doesn't know when the stadium will be completed." Hicks said the team can begin building again "when we get to the point where the global market settles down and we bring pieces together to finance the stadium" (AP, 9/17).