"When the storm came through, it pulled up the bleachers and sent them across the field and tore up the turf," said Bill Salvatore, director of the Philadelphia International Unity Cup.
The World Cup-style soccer tournament pits Philadelphia's immigrant communities against each other — for bragging rights. The tournament was set to kick off its fourth season on Friday at 6 p.m. at Ramp Playground on Solly Avenue. Then the storm hit, causing damage unlike any Salvatore has ever seen.
He says crews are on hand at Ramp Playground to remove and replace the mangled bleachers and redo the damaged turf. No word yet on the cost, but Salvatore says they want the original site ready for play as soon as possible.
"Maybe it'll be ready to go next weekend," he said.
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