April showers bring a HUGE Almanack!

Remember that seats in the US Supporters’ Section for the July 18th Gold Cup quarterfinal matches are currently available, and we’re really impressed by how many are being bought so far. Unfortunately we aren’t selling the tickets, you’ll have to go through Ticketmaster (and odds are you like them about as much as most of us do). Because of this we’ll be selling t-shirt/tailgate packages separately at a later date…but buy your tickets now!

http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0200427989D03BC0 and enter code sob2010 in the “promotions and special offers” box. Make sure you choose how many tickets you want in the “promotions and special offers” area and not anywhere else. You don’t need to do anything else, it’ll automatically pick US Supporters’ Section seats and the price ($25) from the code.

With all the US games coming up this summer, including the one here in Philly, US Supporters will need to show their national as well as Delaware Valley Infantry pride without overheating. There’s never been a perfect way to do it…until now!

We’re currently taking pre-orders for the first DVI scarf, a lightweight printed summer scarf. Instead of being woven, the design is printed into a light, yet sturdy, material. It’s the perfect accessory for the plethora of matches this summer!

See the design and place an order using the link below. These are available for pre-order only, and we’re going to place the order soon to assure they’re here in plenty of time, so don’t wait!

http://www.sonsofben.net/2009/04/delaware-valley-infantry-scarves-on-sale-now/

Does seeing the Sounders open make you pine for live soccer? Does the prospect of seeing the USA men play in Philly for the first time in over a decade get you riled up to chant, sing, and stand for 90 minutes?

Do we have a deal for you. We are driving out to the Pennsylvania state capital this Saturday, April 25, to see the City Islanders play the Western Mass Pioneers. And, we have the pyro to properly welcome City back to the Island. To top it off, tickets are $5. The game starts at 7.

So, join us. Learn some songs. Have some beverages of your choice. And savor the fact that next year when the words home and opener go together, it means it will be the first time since Reagan was in office that a top level club will playing in Philadelphia.

If you’re interested in going, please fill out the form on sonsofben.com so we know how many tickets to order:

http://www.sonsofben.net/2009/04/sons-of-ben-roadtrip-425-harrisburg/

Some of us will be meeting at Molly Brannigan’s Pub at 31 N. Second St. around 4 and marching over around 6:15 or so, if you’re so inclined.

In an attempt to try and get everyone up to speed with the league, we’re going to begin having monthly MLS viewing parties at the Iron Abbey, a fantastic new soccer/beer bar in the Horsham/Willow Grove area. Join us this Wednesday, the 22nd, as Chivas USA take on Toronto FC. This is a great opportunity to see Toronto’s strong supporter fanbase first-hand, as well as enjoy the game with your fellow Sons of Ben. For those that haven’t made it to an event yet this will be a great one to meet and chat with fellow members. The game starts at 7:30…tell the hostess you’re with the Sons of Ben, as we may be in a separate room.

The Iron Abbey is at 680 N. Easton Rd. in Horsham, PA, just a few minutes from the Willow Grove exit of the PA turnpike (go right after exiting). It’ll be on your right side if you’re coming from the Turnpike and points south, right after Clayton’s. Coming from the north it’ll be on your left right after you pass the air base. We’ll also be doing some DVI USA viewing parties here as well over the summer.

I know a lot of you have been waiting to hear more about the Daughters of Betsy, our affiliated supporters’ club for the Women’s Professional Soccer team also coming to Philly in 2010. The team will be officially signing the paperwork to enter the league and announcing their name and colors in the early evening on Monday May 18th at the Franklin Institute, right at the gigantic Ben Franklin statue. Come, pay homage to Ben and meet the rest of us who are looking to provide a true supporters’ atmosphere to Philly WPS. We’re just starting up, so we’re definitely looking for people to get active and involved!

You can read more about the event and RSVP by clicking the link here.

If you have any ideas, suggestions or want to help with the initial stuff (like we still need a logo!), please reply.

We’re hoping to hit the ground running once the team name and colors are announced (still no date set, by the way). On our message board we’re taking submissions for scarf designs. You can read the format and see the designs already submitted here.

Ad Finem Fidelis