Advice to Union fans headed to Chester Sunday: Come early

Union soccer team president Tom Veit has six words of advice for fans heading to Sunday's first-ever game at PPL Park in Chester:

"Come early, come early, come early."

Did he mention to come early?

The 18,500-seat stadium is sold out for the 5 p.m. game against the Seattle Sounders. And while the team promises parking will be adequate, it also promises that its parking plan will be a season-long work-in-progress.

The Union has 4,000 parking spaces at the stadium, set on the Delaware River by the Commodore Barry Bridge, and an additional 3,000 to 4,000 at satellite lots nearby.

Fans should plan for potential delays and carry good directions. The team expects to have illuminated roadside message boards operating, to guide fans arriving from the bridge and from Route 291, the highway that runs parallel to the river.

Season-ticket holders with prepaid parking passes should park in the color-coded stadium lot that corresponds to the color of their pass. All others should park in designated satellite lots and board a free shuttle bus to PPL Park.

Fans coming by train should take SEPTA's Wilmington/Newark line to the Chester Transportation Center at Sixth and Welsh Streets. Free shuttle service will be provided from there to PPL Park.

Additional directions are on the Union website at www.philadelphiaunion.com.