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Jonathan Bach repeats as Philadelphia Union’s Media Mayhem FIFA tournament champ

Brotherly Game contributor won $2,000 for the Starfinder Foundation

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For the second year in a row, Brotherly Game contributor Jonathan Bach was crowned Media Mayhem champion at the Philadelphia Union’s FIFA tournament.

Bach, who won the inaugural contest last year, repeated with a penalty kick win over a Philadelphia Phillies representative on Tuesday night at Chickie & Pete’s in Philadelphia.

“There was a lot more pressure this year since I was the defending champion and ran through everyone in the first few rounds (I think I won 7-0, 5-0, and 12-1, then 2-0 and 1-1 on penalties),” Bach said. “The team did a great job organizing, and it felt like more of a big deal than the first one.”

There were 24 players in the competition field for the second annual event sponsored by Independence Blue Cross. Bach played for the Manyunk-based Starfinder Foundation again, which will receive the $2,000 donation.

“Starfinder is a great foundation and I really wanted to win again for them,” Bach said. “I love playing soccer, and I wish I had places like them back home in New York when I was younger that helped kids and gave them a safe place to hang out and play soccer. I know they’ll use it well and I’m excited to possibly try for a three-peat next year and get them even more.”

Starfinder – We Believe Soccer is the Answer from Starfinder Foundation on Vimeo.

“We are so moved that he has donated his winnings Starfinder again,” Starfinder Foundation executive director Heidi Warren said. “Jonathan’s gift will give more kids in underserved communities access to great soccer and leadership programs. Thank you for investing in our kids, Jonathan!”

Matthew Ralph is the managing editor of Philadelphia Soccer Now. He's covered soccer at all levels for a decade in the Philadelphia region and has also written for TheCup.us, NPSL, PrepSoccer and other publications. He lives with his wife and two young children in Broomall, Pa., but grew up in South Jersey and is originally from Kansas.

Copyright © 2025 Philadelphia Soccer Now and Brotherly Game

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