MLS Philadelphia Union

Philadelphia Union to Host Crystal Palace July 13 at Talen Energy Stadium

May 19, 2016 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Philadelphia Union News Release


CHESTER, Pa. - Philadelphia Union will host Crystal Palace for an international friendly on Wednesday, July 13 at Talen Energy Stadium, the club announced Thursday. The upcoming 2016-17 Barclay's Premier League season will be the fourth consecutive year for Crystal Palace in the top tier of English football and the club will compete in the 2016 FA Cup Final against Manchester United this upcoming Saturday, May 21. The match will be classified as a Bonus Game for Union Season Ticket Members and is scheduled to start at 7 p.m.

"This is the seventh consecutive year we've hosted an English Premier League team and we're thrilled to welcome back such an historic club like Crystal Palace," Philadelphia Union Chief Business Officer Tim McDermott said. "It's an incredible opportunity for our team, and our fans, to host a club that is currently competing for an English championship. We wish them the best of luck this weekend and look forward to welcoming them to Philadelphia."

This will be the second trip to Talen Energy Stadium for Crystal Palace, who defeated the Union in 2014, 1-0. Palace finished the 2015-16 BPL season 11-9-18 (42 points), which was good for 15th place. But it was the Eagles remarkable run to the FA Cup Final that will most likely be remember by the club's supporters for years to come. The Eagles won five consecutive FA Cup fixtures, with only one coming at home at Selhurst Park, to reach the final on May 21. Including road wins over Southampton and Tottenham, Palace outscored opponents 8-2 to reach the final where they'll take on Manchester United.

" It's a trip that I think will be good for the club, it's our fourth year in the Premier League, teams want to play us and we've taken this opportunity to go to America to spread the word of the type of football we play," Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew said. "Our fan base continues to grow in America and this is a perfect opportunity to reach out to those fans as well as introduce ourselves to many more new fans stateside."

Crystal Palace will kick off their preseason with a three-game North American tour beginning in Philadelphia. After playing the Union, Crystal Palace will travel to FC Cincinnati for a match on July 16, and finish up the tour in Vancouver, where they'll play Whitecaps FC on July 19.

"It's always a good opportunity to challenge yourselves against the best competition," Philadelphia Union head coach Jim Curtin said. "Crystal Palace is a team we respect, their success this year speaks for itself, and they have a great collection of high-quality players who are obviously competing in the best league in the world. We'll really value the experience and look forward to hosting Alan and his team."

Individual tickets for the match will go on sale Monday, May 23 following an additional ticket pre-sale for full and partial season ticket members at www.philadelphiaunion.com or by calling 877-21-UNION.

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