Soccer will once again be played by the boys and girls at Chester High and in the middle schools, thanks to Philadelphia Union and its affiliated partners.

The first season will begin in the fall of 2019, ending a 30 year absence of soccer at the school.

The program of Varsity and Junior Varsity teams will provide more than 200 kids with a top quality soccer experience.  The program will start with high school boys and girls Junior Varsity teams and a pair of middle school teams, expanding to include Varsity teams during the 2020-2021 academic year.

You can watch a video promoting the new high school and middle school program here.

“We continue to find ways to give our students the opportunity to excel in their passions, whether it’s in the classroom or on a field,” said Dr. Juan Baughn, Superintendent of the Chester Upland School District. “Bringing soccer back to the District after a long hiatus is just the latest way we’re creating excellence at the Chester Upland School District. This is an exciting time for our young people, and we’re so thankful to the Philadelphia Union, our Chester neighbors, for their help in growing our new soccer program.”

The program is fully funded by Philadelphia Union, Union Foundation and Power Home Remodeling, partnering with Chester Upland School District, the City of Chester, and Adidas.

It will provide new practice fields and game fields, pro-level outfitting by Adidas, coaches, game operations and more over the first three years.

“The Philadelphia Union Foundation is dedicated to the families and youth of Chester,” said Hayes Hunt, chairman of the Union Foundation. “As such, the Foundation is extremely proud to support and fund soccer programs for the young women and men of Chester High School.

“The owners and leaders of the Philadelphia Union have generously contributed to the Foundation with the goal of establishing a first-class soccer team and related facilities for Chester High School.  We look forward to this great partnership with the Chester Upland School District.”

In addition to hosting the matches at their home fields at the STEM Academy at Showalter, the teams will also have the opportunity to play select games at Talen Energy Stadium.

Philadelphia Union was awarded the 16th Major League Soccer franchise on Feb. 28, 2008 and the Union was officially named on May 11, 2009. The Philadelphia Union opened Talen Energy Stadium on June 27, 2010.

The Union has reached the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final in 2014, 2015 and 2018.

For more information about Philadelphia Union, visit www.philadelphiaunion.com.