MLS Team Coming To Exciting Chester

The Inquirer reports today the deal for a state-funded soccer team in Chester within reach, according to sources.

Fair enough. I trust that the Inquirer is correct and Philly will be getting a team in Chester. But, you know, you could also just read this Houston Chronicle interview with the head of MLS from yesterday, where he confirms it as well:

These things are so complicated. We just went through a three-year process in Philadelphia, which we finalized. It’s probably the best deal that we have in the league, north of $80 million in public funding for a stadium, but it took a great deal of effort and lots of work with the governor’s office, the state (Pennsylvania), county (Delaware) and city (Chester).

Woohoo! We get a soccer team here in Philadelphia, and we get to pay for it with $80 million dollars going to rich people as well. (Now, if only stadiums actually did anything to improve an area.) You may begin fantasizing about an aging Zinedine Zidane coming to play for the Philadelphia MLS club; we’re already trying to come up with headbutt-themed fan club names.

Soccer deal is within reach, say sources [Inquirer]
The commissioner has answers [Houston Chronicle]