The fans were there, even before MLS was
On Saturday, Austin FC hosts the Philadelphia Union in a matchup of two cities – and two sporting cultures – that on the surface appear to be polar opposites. Southwest vs. northeast. Warm and flamboyant vs. cold and industrious. New and fresh vs. tried and true. “Y’all means all” vs. “No one likes us, and we don’t care.”
In 2007, three years before the Union would eventually go on to play its first match, 20-or-so loudmouth soccer fans banded together under the namea reference to the city’s beloved Founding Father, Benjamin Franklin. Their mission? Convince anyone who would listen – including and especially MLS itself – that Philly deserved a seat at the pro soccer table, and had an established fanbase ready to go.
There’s a reason that tale might sound familiar to longtime fans of the Verde and Black. The Sons of Ben in many ways served as the inspiration for the grassroots push that led the birth of Austin FC in 2019. However, while the Sons of Ben were vindicated for their efforts within 13 months, Babetski and a small band of original allies had to play the long game. He recalled barging in on Chelsea watch parties at Haymaker and Arsenal meetups at The Tavern, peddling a vision of an Austin MLS club – and being told to shove it. “‘Why would I support MLS? EPL is so much better,’” he often heard.
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