PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia Union fans, including the team’s passionate supporters group Sons of Ben, are headed to Los Angeles this weekend to see them compete for the MLS Cup Saturday at 4 p.m. Eastern time against LAFC.
“Sweet revenge” is what longtime Union fan and Sons of Ben member Mike Blankemeyer calls this year’s chance at winning the MLS trophy.
“Last year was so disappointing, because we had a great year,” said Blankemeyer. “We get to the same position as last week, and three days before the match, we find out 11 of our team members have COVID-19, five of them being starters.”
Blankemeyer is one of hundreds of fans headed from Philadelphia International Airport to Los Angeles and Banc of California Stadium for Saturday's MLS Cup final, the first in the team’s 13-year history.
He reminisced on what it was like last weekend to see his team make it this far for the first time in its history, after upending NYCFC 3-1 in the Eastern Conference Final.
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“When New York went up, first I was like, ‘No, no, no, not again,” Blankemeyer admitted.
“Then we got that leveled up, and then we got another one. And then we got another one! And I'm half-crying, half-cheering. I didn't know how to act. I was very excited.”
Though they won't have the home-field advantage, he says the Sons of Ben plan to bring the same unmatched Philadelphia fan base energy that rocked Subaru Park last weekend.
“It's all down to the next 90 minutes on the pitch,” said Blankemeyer.
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“Our guys are going to give them heck, I know that. They have the best coach [Jim Curtin] on this continent. No ifs, ands or buts. And you know, L.A. may have a lot of money, but we’ve got all the heart. We're all Philly.”
He said he and his friends couldn't afford not to go to Los Angeles for the opportunity to cheer their team on for the MLS Cup final. He’s hopeful they'll bring home a win.
“They're over the top. Between Twitter and all the Facebook groups and Instagram, it's just my phone ringing all day. I'm like, ‘People, I’ve got to work!” he admitted.
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“But I can't wait to get out there with them and bring that trophy home.”
Union fans heading to Los Angeles are warned that there will be no available parking for the match, due to the USC football game across the street at the L.A. Coliseum on Saturday night.
Fans are advised to use LAFC Park & Ride Shuttles from Dodger Stadium, rideshare apps, or the Metro “Expo” line, which happens to be colored in Philadelphia Union powder blue.