The Philadelphia Union defeated Everton of the English Premier League, 1-0, in a friendly Wednesday at PPL Park.

Not all of the best players participated. Peter Nowak didn't even coach the Union.

But according to the Union's CEO, Nick Sakiewicz, the game said plenty. It said the Union could play against any team at any time.

Saturday night at the Linc, for instance, the Union will play none other than Real Madrid ... that Real Madrid.

"That's one of the reasons we do these games," Sakiewicz said. "Because a lot of people are skeptics who think our football is not as good as Everton or the EPL or La Liga (of Spain). And the fact of the matter is that if you are good person of foootball, you know that our football is that good."

That good?

Really?

Well, the numbers are starting to stagger. For didn't the Union defeat Glasgow Celtic, 1-0, last year?

Good for the Union, which needs such signature success to be considered with the Phillies, Flyers, Sixers and Eagles among the area's serious big-league teams.


Check out my column in the Daily Times Thursday and on delcotimes.com