Jonathan Bach wins Union charity FIFA tournament for Starfinder Foundation

Brotherly Game contributor came in first out of 26 participants to win the $2,000 for charity

By Matthew Ralph@MattRalph_ Feb 28, 2019, 5:49pm EST

Jonathan Bach (right) poses with Philadelphia Union marketing manager Alyssa Gentile and the giant check Starfinder Foundation is receiving for his win in the Union Media Mayhem FIFA tournament on February 28, 2019

Jonathan Bach said he was nervous, but it certainly didn’t show in his run through the competition at the Philadelphia Union Media Mayhem FIFA tournament on Thursday at Talen Energy Stadium.

Bach, a Brotherly Game contributor, conceded only one goal and knocked off Philadelphia Front Office writer Paul Catrino Jr. in the final to win bragging rights and a $2,000 donation from the Philadelphia Union and Independence Blue Cross to his charity of choice, the Starfinder Foundation.

“This is a cool cause,” Bach said. “A lot of people were rooting for me when I told them about this so it was good to do well and win for the kids at Starfinder.”

The tournament was the second for Bach, who was part of the Union’s esports Open that West Chester teenager Cormac “Doolsta” Dooley won en route to becoming the team’s first pro gamer. Jeffrey Acevedo, who was added to the esports roster for the Union after winning their college open competition last fall, was on hand for the event as a spectator.

There was a total of 26 gamers in the tournament field, which included Phang, Union homegrowns Anthony Fontana and Matthew Freese and Philadelphia Wings players Franky Brown and Kevin Crowley. Local TV, radio, digital and print media outlets were represented.

“We really pride ourselves on our esports platform and we thought what a better way to celebrate soccer being back in Philadelphia than bringing together our whole media family together in the city to come out and try their hand at it,” said Alyssa Gentile, marketing manager for the Union. “It’s been fantastic and the reception has been awesome. People have been really good and competitive and we love to see that.”