It has been an incredible year of soccer in Philadelphia. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be taking a look back over 2010, the year soccer came home to Philly, as seen through the lenses of the PSP photographers—Daniel Gajdamowicz, Paul Rudderow and Nicolae Stoian. You can view the collection of photo essays here.We begin with a look back at the Union’s first home season.

Le Toux’s game winner in the first home game at the Linc against DC United.
Photo: Paul Rudderow

Union v Dallas at the Linc: still undefeated at home thanks to Mwanga’s stoppage time goal.
Photo: Nicolae Stoian

Holding off Seattle for the 3-1 win at the PPL Park opener.
Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz

Seitz would stop the Earthquakes Cornell Glen, but he couldn’t stop Arturo Alvarez in the first home loss, the first real heart-breaker of the season.
Photo: Paul Rudderow

Okugo fights off Celtic in a memorable 1–0 win.
Photo: Nicolae Stoian

Le Toux’s stoppage time penalty kick against Toronto gave the Union a 2–1 win.
Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz

Le Toux almost gets one past United in a heroic 1–0 loss to one of the world’s best clubs.
Photo: Paul Rudderow

Mwanga gets out of the way for Le Toux’s wonder strike against New England to put the Union up 1–0…
Photo: Nicolae Stoian

…while Seitz can’t get in the way of Marko Perovic’s free kick from hell. Final score: 1–1.
Photo: Nicolae Stoian

Two headers from the Crew’s Stephen Lenhart sinks the Union. Fan confidence in Seitz reaches a new low after the 2–1 loss.
Photo: Nicolae Stoian

Mwanga put the Union up 1–0 off of a Le Toux pass after eight minutes. Real Salt Lake knocked the wind out of the home crowd’s sails less than ten minutes later. It was a scramble, but the draw would stand.
Photo: Paul Rudderow

Mwanga salvaged a 1–1 draw after the Union went down a goal to Colorado.
Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz

Knighton was in goal in the 1–0 win against Chivas de Guadalajara in a night in which the Union kids got a chance to shine.
Photo: Paul Rudderow

A brilliant early goal from Le Toux against Kansas City is negated by another goalie gaffe after Davy Arnaud’s free kick.
Photo: Paul Rudderow

Brad Knighton records the first league clean sheet of the season in 1–0 win over Chicago.
Photo: Paul Rudderow

Rare scorers Moreno and Fred join with Le Toux in the 3–0 romp over Chivas USA.
Photo: Paul Rudderow

Le Toux, clearly not being fouled here, equalized with a beauty of a goal against Houston for a 1–1 draw.
Photo: Paul Rudderow

Edson Buddle scored the lone goal to give LA the win in front of the biggest crowd ever at PPL Park.
Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz

Believe it or not, we didn’t have a photographer at the win over the New York Red Bulls. Damn. It was a good win though and a brilliant way to end the home season.

Cover photo: Paul Rudderow