Photo essays / Sons of Ben

In pictures: A day in the River End

PSP photographer Earl Gardner spent opening day with the Sons of Ben as they prepared for Saturday’s game, presented another successful Stache Bash, marched into PPL Park, and cheered the Union on to their first win of the season. Here’s a look at what he saw.

Photo By Earl Gardner
Volunteer Jon Foden helps get the grills set up
Photo By Earl Gardner
The flags are flying

Photo By Earl Gardner
The River End set-up begins early

Photo By Earl Gardner
Tifo is dusted off for the new season
Photo By Earl Gardner
Volunteers check-in Stache Bash attendees
Photo By Earl Gardner
These are the hard working folks that took care of feeding hundreds of SoBs
Photo By Earl Gardner
Everyone’s spirits were high
Photo By Earl Gardner
Stache’s were not the only theme of the day as fans were also celebrating St. Patrick’s Day
Photo By Earl Gardner
From the ginger Chop Stache…
Photo By Earl Gardner
…to the Mario Stache…
Photo By Earl Gardner
…to the Mega Stache…
Photo By Earl Gardner
…to the modified ginger Chop Stache, everyone showed up looking for fun
Photo By Earl Gardner
Union VP Dave Rowan stopped by to check out the scene
Photo By Earl Gardner
Vilebred entertained the crowd
Photo By Earl Gardner
Chris Johnson prepares for some Bearfights
Photo By Earl Gardner
Bill Gusler calls out numbers for the raffle that helped raise a ton of money for charity
Photo By Earl Gardner
The SoB’s have brought the march into PPL Park back
Photo By Earl Gardner
John Langan leads the march into the stadium
Photo By Earl Gardner
The Union take the field as the River End cheers on
Photo By Earl Gardner
It was a beautiful day for a soccer match
Photo By Earl Gardner
Creepin’ on the Corner Creeps
Photo By Earl Gardner
Capo Andy Pace leads the chants
Photo By Earl Gardner
Scarves up for Four Leaf Clover
Photo By Earl Gardner
Fans were pumped for the match
Photo By Earl Gardner
Oh, Le Toux, Le Toux!!!
Photo By Earl GardnerThis kid loves the Doop song
Photo By Earl Gardner
1-0 Union
Photo By Earl Gardner
Arms and voices up!
Photo By Earl Gardner
Friends drink, sing, and cheer the Union on
Photo By Earl Gardner
The Horseman has returned to the River End
Photo By Earl Gardner
Tension builds as the clock runs down
Photo By Earl Gardner“Don’t end like Portland, don’t end like Portland, don’t end like Portland…”
Photo By Earl Gardner
Joy has come back to River End…
Photo By Earl Gardner.…As Seba’s lone goal led the Union to a 1-0 win over the Revolution.
Photo By Earl GardnerThe two-week wait to get back to PPL Park will be a long one.

For additional photos please check out Earl Gardner’s 

2 Comments

  1. great pictures; great day; great memories!!

  2. Once again Earl super shots! You rock!!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*