2017 was a record year for Philly Sports Network’s Union coverage. Back at the end of 2016 the goal was to expand our content. We did this by doubling our written content, by integrating the fan experience at Union home games on our Instagram page, Live-tweet every Union game in 2017 by gaining press access at Union home games. Now as we turn to 2018, we are looking to do even more. Here’s a look at Philly Sports Network’s 2017 Union recap, and expanding coverage in 2018!

2017 Recap:

When we made our 2017 goals they seemed lofty. Having our one Union writer, Tim, achieve all of this was a bit ambitious, but they were all met!

The goal to double the amount of soccer content over the year. In 2016 we were only able to produce 50 articles; in 2017 we were able to do much more! Tim being our lone writer for most of 2017, produced 132 articles, and our two newest writers were able to add four articles over the last month and a half of 2017. The makes a grand total of 136 soccer articles in 2017!

Shoutout to @MLS for putting up @PhiladelphiaSN pic from @PhilaUnion game yesterday #DOOP pic.twitter.com/21txfHBpfU

— Tim Lovenguth (@Tim_Lovenguth) March 12, 2017

Our Instagram goal was one of the more interesting ideas we had last year. Creating content that shows the fan experience, and the live action of games was well received. Our first weekend creating this type of content was seen by MLS. One of our pictures was featured on MLS’ Matchday Live show from the Union’s opening match of 2017. We went on to get fans involved by taking pictures for us at times, most prominently at the Union’s US Open Cup game at Red Bull arena! Be sure to look back at it all on our Instagram page .

The way we went about live-tweeting was different, we wanted fans to see a lot of different perspectives. So, there would be tweets from Tim, and also retweets from other reports, sites covering the Union and even fans. We like to show all sorts of perspectives on twitter, and will continue to do this in 2018!

As for our press access last season. Philly Sports Network was able to receive credentials for two games over the summer. This was a way for us to get our foot in the door, we look to have much more access in 2018!

2017 was a year where Philly Sports Network was able to do so much, including incorporating more soccer coverage. We wrote plenty on the Union, and also added content on the MLS, and the US Men’s National Team as well. We love to write about soccer, and will look for more ways to do that in the coming year!

In 2017 Philly Sports Network more than doubled its written content on the Philadelphia Union. The integration of articles on all of the offseason dealings, on coaches press conferences and on MLS recaps helped push our Union coverage to another level. That coupled with showing the fan experience on the Philly Sports Network Instagram page gave fans, and neutrals, a taste of what it’s like to be a fan on game day. Having the privilege to be credentialed by the team to cover them was a truly amazing experience. So what’s next? More content is the only way to grow in 2018.

2018 expansion:

Here’s what we look to do for 2018!

Philly Sports Network coverage of Philadelphia Union in 2018:

Minimum Five articles every week:
- Pre-match analysis
- Post Game analysis
- MLS recap: Every week for regular season.
- State of Philly Union: a weekly look at the Union’s happenings (Press conferences, social media activity, Organizational news.
- Player features (possible interview opportunities)
- Transfer/trade rumors/news—summer transfer window
- Updates on the USA Men’s, Women’s, and Youth National teams and their various competitions.

- Offseason articles:
  - Transfer/trade rumors/news—winter transfer window
  - Player signings/departures
  - MLS Draft recap
  - Schedule release
  - An in-depth look at the upcoming season opponents (in multiple articles)
  - Perspective roster for the season
  - An in-depth look at the Formation/positions

Social Media involvement:
- Using Instagram to capture the fan experience at all 2018 home games.
- Facebook Live Q&A’s discussing everything/anything
- Use Twitter to interact with fans; create tweets to engage others. During games, Retweet content on the game, and create tweets to engage others.
- Use Facebook and Twitter to promote written articles.
- Create hype videos for every game, and post them on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.