Philadelphia Union plays it first MLS match on Thursday, and about 60 members of the Philadelphia fan club, the Sons of Ben, will be in the sellout crowd at Qwest Field.

“I’m still kind of in disbelief right now, but it’s pretty amazing to think in a day and a half we'll be watching the Union play their first game,” said Bryan James, Sons of Ben president and co-founder. “Even fathoming that I’d be going across the country to see the team is something three years ago, when we were starting this, wasn’t even part of my imagination.”

James' group now includes 1,800 paid members and has a mailing list of 6,000 unofficial members. For those who didn't make the trip, many will be gathering at pubs around the Philadelphia area (click here for MLS viewing establishments).