A love letter to Philadelphia, its World Cup volunteers, and the countless people whose hard work has made this tournament experience as smooth and welcoming as possible (so far!). For all the criticism and skepticism leading into the tournament, the city has risen to the occasion. Well done, @FWC26Philly. open.substack.com/pub/nunezj… #ecuador #ivorycoast #civxecu #fwc #FIFAWORLDCUP 📷: Carl Gulbish

To Danley, 🇭🇹 From, your Philly boys 🥰

Before you tune into today's opening World Cup match between Mexico and South Africa, check out last night's podcast with @JoserNunez91, @AntFontana99 and me. We talked a wide variety of topics in our hour 40 minute conversation last night, but in this clip, Fontana talks about playing his first game at Subaru Park in five years. "But then actually going behind the stadium, parking where I used to park, and walking in… Even [during] my time in Italy and the Netherlands, I would have dreams about doing that... So when I was walking in, I thought, 'Oh my God, this feels like a fever dream. This doesn’t feel 100% real. What the heck? How am I back here?' But I couldn’t have been [happier]. Walking through the little tunnel — we weren’t in the home locker room, which I figured — that would have made it even better. I saw the jersey: ‘21 Fontana.’ Oh my gosh. It was like the good old days’. It was a bit emotional." The rest of the conversation can be found on YouTube or wherever you get your podcast: 📺 youtube.com/watch?v=nBqT_gBu… 🍎 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcas… #doop

Happy World Cup to those who celebrate ⚽️

Episode 418 - Anthony Fontana Returns to Subaru Park For First Time Since 2021 #doop #mls #leselephants #ivorycoast x.com/i/broadcasts/1pKdRRoDB…

THE WORLD CUP STARTS TOMORROW!⚽️🏟️🏆 And to get everyone ready, I've put together 20 DIFFERENT events (almost 40 total, and updating frequently) around the City of Philadelphia to help you celebrate the opening weekend of the tournament Fan fests, block parties, river cruises, and a bunch of indoor and outdoor viewing options at bars and restaurants around the city Here's just a few I'd recommend during the opening weekend, with the full list and details available in the article: FIFA Fan Fest - Lemon Hill - June 11, 12, 13, 14 Philadelphia Union’s Soccer Celebration Presented by Michelob Ultra - Union Yards @ Subaru Park - June 11, 12, 13, 14 American Outlaws Watch & Block Party @ Top Tomato Bar - June 12 Watch Party @ Stateside Live! - 3pm - June 14 Philly World Cup Fan Zone Watch Party @ The Lawn (3675 Market St) Presented by Lunch Table Ent. & Two Locals Brewing - June 14 Full article linked below

From a Season Ticket Member email: The Philadelphia Union will welcome the Houston Dynamo for a friendly ahead of the league restart. The June 27 homecoming for Jack McGlynn is exclusive to season ticket members. Per the email: "This scrimmage is a unique twist on our previous open practices, offering an exclusive, behind-the-scenes opportunity to watch the Union prepare for the second half of the 2026 season. Season Ticket Members will have field-level bleacher seating and an up-close view of the action." #doop #mls #houston #HoldItDown 📸: Philadelphia Union

I like to strike while the iron is hot, as they say. Tonight, after his surprise (to some) appearance for Union II against Ivory Coast, Anthony Fontana (@AntFontana99) will join Todd Lewis (@ItsAToddLife) and me live on the Free Kick Pod (@FreeKickPod) for a bit of catching up. Join us at 9 p.m., and be sure to have your questions ready for him. YouTube: youtube.com/live/nBqT_gBuKlw… See you all later! #doop #mls #mlsnextpro #usmnt #usymnt 📸: Don Robson (@donrobson)

Newly appointed Austin FC head coach Jim Curtin was introduced to the media today and spoke for 52 minutes. There were plenty of mentions of his time in Philadelphia, but one thing that stood out to me was his clear excitement about joining an ownership group that ranks among the highest-spending in the league. While Curtin never demanded top-tier spending in Philadelphia, he had consistently pushed for more financial commitment than the club was willing to provide during his tenure there. "And like I said, you don't need to go with exorbitant transfer fees. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to now be with an ownership group that spends in the middle to top third. That's unique to me, that will be unique. It's the first time I've experienced that. So that excites me, no doubt." #doop | #austinfc

Jim Curtin hit all the right notes in the first five minutes of his introductory press conference earlier today. He thanked ownership for its trust, spoke about building a culture through relationships, laid out a development pathway from the academy to the first team, emphasized internal growth for staff members across the organization, challenged the media to help grow the game, and promised supporters an aggressive, style that entertains and makes Q2 Stadium a fortress. As opening statements for a new coach go, it is hard to beat this. #doop #MLS #austinfc #MLS #USMNT 📹: Austin FC

Makhanya is living every kid's dream representing South Africa in the World Cup! 🇿🇦

Côte d'Ivoire were awarded a PK and JoJo Elliott MADE THE SAVE!!! What a job tonight by the former Union Academy keeper. Union II 0, Côte d'Ivoire 2 in the 82' #DOOP #LesElephants #BlueHens @DelawareMSOC

Quinn Sullivan, Nathan Harriel and Anthony Fontana all chatting after the game. All three players were with the Philadelphia Union in 2021. #doop

Anthony Fontana replaces Cavan Sullivan in the 80th minute. This marks Fontana’s first time back to Subaru Park since December 5th, 2021 against NYCFC, where the Union lost in the ECF finals to New York City 2-1. #doop

Cavan Sullivan has his penalty saved in the 23rd minute by Côte d’Ivoire. Côte d’Ivoire lead Union II 1-0 so far in the first half. #doop | #usmnt

Jim Curtin has agreed to join Austin FC as its head coach at the conclusion of the 2026 season. With Philadelphia, Curtin won the 2020 MLS Supporters' Shield, captured the 2022 Eastern Conference title, reached MLS Cup 2022, and qualified for the MLS Cup Playoffs seven times. He was named MLS Sigi Schmid Coach of the Year in both 2020 and 2022. Congratulations to Jim. #doop #austinfc #austin #usmnt #usymnt 📸: Carl Gulbish

Philly-based soccer fans: your ultimate guide to watch parties, fan festivals, bars, and pubs for the 2026 World Cup is here!!! Read below for everything you need to know about watching the World Cup in Philadelphia! @phlsoccernow philadelphiasoccernow.com/20…

How Telemundo, which is bringing on @AleBedoya17 as part of its broadcast team during the tournament, is handling hydration breaks: “We’re going to be staying on the match feed,” said Miguel Lorenzo, Telemundo Enterprises’ senior VP/sports content. “Fans are going to be able to watch the players and the coach interactions. We’ll be having important match replays. Our commentators will be analyzing the moments. None of that will be interrupted in any way. Our goal is to create an authentic World Cup viewing experience. We think we can do that in a lot of ways, and one of the most impactful ways is by never leaving the pitch once the clock starts running.” Read the full story here by @AustinKarp of the @SBJ and consider subscribing to support their work: sportsbusinessjournal.com/Ar… #doop #mls #worldcup #fifa #fifaworldcup

Just announced: Philadelphia Union announced that Côte d’Ivoire Men’s National Team will play a friendly match against Union II at Subaru Park on Monday, June 8, at 7 p.m. ET. There will also be a separate community training session that the public can view at Subaru Park as Côte d’Ivoire prepares for the World Cup, with the training session taking place on Friday, June 12, at 6:30 p.m. ET. Both events will be free for the public, but a ticket will be required for entry. 🎟️ Tickets can be found here: seatgeek.com/ivory-coast-men… 📸 Côte d’Ivoire #Doop

With the World Cup starting in just nine days, Philadelphia Union fans will certainly pay attention to the opening match between Mexico and South Africa, with Olwethu Makhanya potentially playing a role. As we look ahead to the rest of the tournament, 44 active MLS players have been named to FIFA World Cup rosters. MLS has the most players of any league in the Western Hemisphere and the second most outside of the top five European leagues. Overall, 103 players at the tournament have spent time with an MLS club. 🇭🇹 Danley Jean Jacques and Haiti open their group stage play against Scotland on Saturday, June 13 at 9:00 PM at Gillette Stadium. 🇿🇦 Olwethu Makhanya and South Africa open against Mexico in the opening game on Thursday, June 11 at 3:00 PM at Estadio Azteca. 📸 MLS #doop