What People Are Saying
"I look forward to having a Major League Soccer team play in the Delaware Valley because it will have a lasting and positive economic impact for both the region and the entire state. When an MLS team chooses to locate in Pennsylvania, it demonstrates that our efforts to rebuild the state's economy are paying dividends by producing new tax revenues and creating good jobs."
~ Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell
"The entire waterfront development - which will bring both construction jobs and permanent jobs to a city where they are truly needed - is an exciting project for Chester. Bringing a Major League Soccer franchise to the city is the final piece that makes the project complete. This is an exciting milestone in Chester's continuing revival."
~ Senator Dominic Pileggi
"Today marks an unforgettable moment in the history of the City of Chester. Not only will the City become the site of the nation's 16th Major League Soccer team, but it will also bring the second $400+ million economic development project to the city in the last several years. Having a top-flight MLS team in Chester will make the city not only a great place to work and live, but one of the premier places to play in the Philadelphia region."
~ Chester Mayor Wendell N. Butler, Jr.
"Bringing Major League Soccer to the Philadelphia Region adds one more world-class amenity to our world-class region. Philadelphia is proud to be partnering with the great City of Chester in this opportunity to make Southeastern Pennsylvania an even more exciting place to live, work and play."
~ Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter
"The waterfront development project will present exciting new opportunities for Chester including the opportunity to have a market. It's about improving the quality of life in this region. That goal extends beyond the City of Chester - we are working together to improve the quality of life of all Pennsylvanians in towns and cities of all sizes and in all regions. I am hopeful that by doing so, the cities and towns will provide safer environments for our children to learn and grow."
~ State Representative Thaddeus Kirkland
"Our goal across Pennsylvania is to support efforts that can drive the economy for years to come. This is a terrific economic opportunity for Chester and for the Commonwealth. It shows that when government and the private sector work together, everybody's a winner."
~ State Representative Dwight Evans
Chairman, House Committee on Appropriations
"I've said before we have to make sure every American takes their kids to a good school, goes to work in a family sustaining job and comes home to a decent home. By bringing a soccer team to the area...and a stadium...and an even larger waterfront development project...as well as embarking on other revitalization projects in the Philadelphia area, we are working together to make that a reality for the City of Chester and surrounding communities."
~ Congressman Robert Brady
"Today's announcement of the selection of the City of Chester, Delaware County, to host a professional soccer team is the fruit of the hard work and commitment to provide financial resources for a home for a team in this rapidly-growing sport. I have seen soccer grow from a game played by only a relatively few participants to become the focal point for family togetherness as thousands upon thousands of parents and grandparents enjoy the games played by their children on every available field in not just Delaware County but throughout the Delaware Valley. As a parent whose children play soccer, I am confident this interest will translate into fans young and old as families travel to Chester to see world-class professional soccer and take pride in cheering on their hometown team."
~ Delaware County Council Vice-Chairman John J. Whelan
"We are thrilled to welcome Philadelphia to Major League Soccer. The addition of Philadelphia brings one of the most passionate sports markets in the country into the League and provides a natural rivalry with several of our clubs in this region of the country. This was a long process to finalize an expansion team for Philadelphia, and it was the vision of the ownership group and government officials in Pennsylvania that made this new team a reality. We look forward to seeing passionate soccer fans providing an electric atmosphere at the new stadium in Chester."
~ MLS Commissioner Don Garber
"Major League Soccer is truly a league with the wind behind its sail. I am very excited to join the distinguished list of existing MLS owners and to help steer major league soccer into one of America's great sports cities. We're going to build a first-class organization on and off the field, and we will create a development that makes the community proud."
~ Lead investor Jay Sugarman, CEO of iStar Financial
Keystone Sports and Entertainment, LLC
"It's all about the fans and the community, and this ownership group is passionately committed to doing things in a major-league way. It will be the people's team, with a world-class stadium. You'll see a work-hard-play-hard mentality that will showcase attractive, winning football with a determination that Philadelphia-area sports fans demand and will be proud of."
~ Nick Sakiewicz, CEO & Operating Partner
Keystone Sports and Entertainment, LLC
"This team and this overall development is exactly the kind of kick-start Chester needs. People from all walks of life came together today here in Chester with great anticipation, not only for the new Major League Soccer team coming in 2010, but also for the resulting job-creation project that is going to change lives in this community. This ownership team is committed to giving back to this community. And I am truly honored to be a part of it."
~ James Nevels, Swarthmore Group Chairman
Keystone Sports and Entertainment, LLC
"This is a huge milestone for the City of Chester and the entire Philadelphia region. The Buccini/Pollin Group is proud to have been a part of other successful urban redevelopment projects, such as the riverfront revitalization in nearby Wilmington, DE. We are very pleased to have the opportunity to help kick-start yet another landmark redevelopment project."
~ Robert Buccini, Managing Partner, The Buccini/Pollin Group
Keystone Sports and Entertainment, LLC
"Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Association is extremely excited about having a Major League Soccer team in our association, and we will do everything we can to support the team and the league."
~ Charlotte M. Moran, EPYSA Executive Director
"Working at the grassroots level in recent years, I have seen the vast array of talent so plentiful throughout the Philadelphia area. Working in concert with the Major League Soccer franchise, we look forward to developing these gifted young players into MLS superstars and scores like them, into future community leaders for decades to come."
~ Tony Williams, Founder & President, Starfinder Foundation
"Philadelphia being named Team 16 brings the most passionate fans in the country to MLS. As the proud leader of an amazing grass roots effort, this moment is something that I have been hoping for since 1995 when the MLS markets were announced. The Sons of Ben have grown from an idea last January to over 1,500 members, all without a team. The leadership team is prepared for a landslide of interested Philadelphians who will help shape the future of support for our team. We look forward to creating an atmosphere uniquely Philly, but recognizable worldwide as a genuine soccer crowd."
~ Sons of Ben President Bryan James
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