Philadelphia Union announces preseason plans, has others announced

The Philadelphia Union preseason preparations officially started to take shape on Monday. The team announced that its annual fan trip is happening once again in 2016, and packages are officially on sale.

Since 2013, when the team started doing their preseason preparations in Florida, the team has been having sponsored activities so fans can meet players, attend practices, as well as other events. The 2016 package will once again emulate from Clearwater, Florida include a welcome reception for fans, transportation to and from the Clearwater Beach Days Inn, and an open practice that will include a barbecue.

Also included in the package will be a ticket to a Union friendly which may be the other preseason announcement that was made. For the fourth straight year the Philadelphia Union will have a preseason match in Jacksonville, Florida. And for the second straight year the team will play the Jacksonville Armada of the NASL. The match will be on February 6th and will be played at Community First Park at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. It will be the first time the Union won't play at EverBank Field, home of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

"I’m looking forward to testing ourselves against the Philadelphia Union," said the Armada's new coach, US Soccer legend Tony Meola. Once again, it’s an honor for us to host Jim Curtin and his team in Jacksonville." Tickets to the Union Fan Trip are on sale on the Union website. The friendly match against the Armada on sale now through the Jacksonville ticket office.