A Union We Can Get Behind

Thanks to the hard work of a few enterprising, internet-savvy fans -- or perhaps owing to a well-timed leak from the front office -- we can now relax and enjoy Monday's unveiling of the name and logo of Philadelphia's MLS expansion team rather than go into it with a sense of dread.

According to captured (or leaked) shots of logos and merchandise (see right), the club entering the league next season will be nicknamed the Union and will wear a circular, blue-and-gold badge featuring a coiled snake and 13 stars. The symbols are rich in Philly tradition and strike a perfect balance between the outdated, cartoonish logos introduced at MLS' foundation and embarrassing, Euro-poseur names like Real Salt Lake.

Assuming this logo is authentic, it represents a positive step in MLS's effort to define its image.

The challenge to appear "authentic" and "traditional" has been difficult for MLS clubs. The early days, which featured the ridiculous San Jose Clash and Tampa Bay Mutiny, among others (the inaugural MLS yearbook describes the Mutiny's logo as a "little green winged cyber-mutant from the dark blue depths of space"), were marked by childish, neon kitsch and a lack of respect for the sport that appealed only to the lowest common denominator.

The backlash was equally as absurd. Investors considered (Inter Toronto, Seattle Republic), and in Salt Lake City chose, names that "sounded" European without having any clue that they were selected originally not because they sounded "soccery" but because they reflected the specific origins of the club or characteristics of the region. Real Madrid' s name is synonymous with "futbol" because they've won nine European Cups, not because it enjoys the patronage of the Spanish king. Stealing that moniker has brought neither to Utah, an area with its own imagery and history that RSL's owners ignored in favor of something that isn't theirs.

Rumors that the Philadelphia organization was considering names like AC Philadelphia or Philadelphia Athletic were disturbing. Yes, famous soccer teams from other countries use those words, but an MLS franchise is as much an athletic club as it is a car dealership. Thankfully, the league has been trending toward middle ground and is starting to acknowledge that the game has roots on this continent as well. Seattle came to its senses and opted for a name with actual, rather than contrived, history. Toronto FC stayed out of the nickname game altogether, its only mistake being the 'F' rather than an 'S'. Nobody gets on the world champion Italians' case for calling the sport "calcio", we shouldn't have to call it "football" either. We have our own traditions in this country (and Canada), and it's time to embrace them.

And that is what Philadelphia has done. The name isn't a rip-off, nor is it childish. The logo features the snake originally used by Benjamin Franklin to promote colonial unity, and the 13 stars that represented the fruit of his labors. The colors reflect the blue and yellow in the city's flag. It's a badge that could be worn only by a team from the City of Brotherly Love, and should serve as a model for new franchises going forward. Extra points for realizing you can use a shape other than a shield.

It's not Real. So let's just hope it's real. We'll find out Monday.