Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber was in attendance on Thursday afternoon as the Philadelphia Union proudly opened the doors of the WSFS Bank Sportsplex.
"This ribbon cutting is more than just the opening of a facility. It's a celebration of ownerships, vision of the collective vision of this community, in the belief in the power of sport to drive innovation." "It prioritizes every piece of energy that we're trying to bring in uniting the community and with this world class campu. This campus not only features a great stadium, it's got fields that will bring the community together. It will be the home for (Union II) and integration of the whole Academy system. You here have something that's never been done before in Major League Soccer, one campus that connects all of the dots of building the foundation of the sport and this community brick by brick."
Following the ribbon cutting ceremony, Garber got to tour the a state of the art, $100 million, 170,000-square-foot sports and recreation complex with Jay Sugarman, Philadelphia Union Principal Owner and Tim McDermott, Philadelphia Union President.
"Pennsylvania and this community is a real hotbed for youth soccer and player development. You should be proud that you have one of the best facilities in North America. What makes this complex so special is the broader impact. It's not just a place for our teams, it's a place for the community to come together, to learn, to compete and to dream. We're only one year away from the 2026, FIFA World Cup, and I have no doubt that this complex will be a centerpiece for any club that's looking to showcase what American can do when they build a complex like this and build a community together."
