Tuesday, Governor Tom Wolf and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania put forth new guidelines allowing fans to return to sporting events at both indoor and outdoor arenas.

In Philadelphia, the Eagles, Phillies, Flyers, and Sixers have to sit on their hands until given clearance by Mayor Kenney and the city’s health department, clearance that does not seem to be coming any time soon. In Delaware County, however, the Union were given the green light to allow a small number of fans at Subaru Park on Sunday evening.

From the team:

Philadelphia Union today announced that Subaru Park will be opened to a limited amount of fans on Sunday, October 11 against Montreal Impact.

This announcement comes after the decision from Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf permitting outdoor sports venues to hold 15% capacity, allowing for approximately 2,775 people, including fans, working staff and teams, to be in attendance of Sunday’s game. The Union will have a strict set of safety protocols implemented for each game which were created in consultation with local health officials, Major League Soccer and the league’s health and safety experts.

…

All attendees must wear a mask at all times in Subaru Park, except when actively eating or drinking, and will receive a temperature check upon gate arrival. Seats have been spaced out throughout the bowl to allow for six feet of distance in all directions for each seated party. All previous touch points between staff and fans have been eliminated; fans will now arrive with a mobile ticket and parking pass, walk through security metal detectors, and only be able to purchase concessions via credit or debit card.”

Subaru Park holds 18,500 seats, so 15% of that is how they arrived at 2,775. Keep in mind, that includes players, coaches, stadium personnel, etc, so the fan number will be slightly lower than that.

Ironically, we sat here for years lamenting the fact that the stadium was built under the bridge in Chester, which seemed far away and inaccessible to folks reliant on public transportation. Now, because the park is not within the city limits, the Union do not have to answer to Mayor Kenney and Health Commissioner Thomas Farley, which is why they’re able to proceed with a fan return while the other four teams are forced to sit and wait.