So. Lehigh Youth Soccer Team to Play at PPL Park Sunday

A youth soccer team from the Southern Lehigh area will play at the River Cup Fall Festival this Sunday at Chester's PPL Park, coach Paul Bernardino said in an email. 

PPL Park is home to the Philadelphia Union, a professional soccer team that is supported by a fan organization known as the Sons of Ben.

The Southern Lehigh-Salisbury (SLS) Union is an under 14 boys recreational team that plays in the Northern Valley Soccer League.

"Normally teams that play for Southern Lehigh are composed entirely of players who go to school in the Southern Lehigh School District," Bernardino said. "The Union is unique in that it consists of boys that go to school at Southern Lehigh Middle School and Salisbury Middle School, along with a few players who play above their age and attend the Southern Lehigh Intermediate School."

Bernardino said the SLS Union name "seemed appropriate," since the team is a blended group with players from two different school districts.

The opportunity to participate in this weekend's River Cup came about recently.

"A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of taking my son, Konrad, to a Philadelphia Union game for the first time," Bernardino said. "He was as amazed with the players, as with the Sons of Ben fan organization."

Soon thereafter, Bernardino said he received an email from the Philadelphia Union inviting the SLS Union to play at the River Cup Fall Festival, when the Sons of Ben will play soccer against Philadelphia Union staff in a charity match.

The River Cup is an all-day family event, Bernardino explained, with activities culminating in the Sons of Ben soccer match at 4 p.m.

Proceeds from the River Cup, which will feature 32 youth soccer team mini games before the big match, will benefit the Philadelphia Union Foundation.

"Our team's mini-game will be played between 2 and 3 p.m.," Bernardino said.

"What a perfect opportunity to give these kids a memory they will never forget," he added.