Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals get a shout-out during CCL broadcast on FS1

The Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals got a shout-out from play-by-play announcer John Strong during the broadcast on FS1 of the Philadelphia Union’s first leg clash with Alianza FC in the Concacaf Champions League on Monday night.

Strong brought up the Ukies during the 48th minute of a game that ended in a scoreless draw in San Salvador.

“And yes because Stu (Holden) was curious Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals, who were winners of the National Challenge Cup in 1966 – their first title in six years – ended up playing Allianza in the semifinal of the Concacaf Champions Cup.”

Holden, Strong’s counterpart in the booth, went on to say he wouldn’t be shocked if Strong had a Ukies jersey. Strong, however, does not. At least not for now.

The Union return to Subaru Park for the second leg on Tuesday night. The FOX Sports schedule doesn’t note if Strong and Holden will be in the booth but if they are there very well could be a present waiting for them from the storied local club.

The Ukies won four National Challenge Cups (now known as the U.S. Open Cup) in the ’60s and have a long history of success they are building on now with the entry of men’s and women’s teams into the NPSL and WPSL and youth teams competing nationally in the Girls Academy and U.S. Youth Soccer’s National League and Elite 64 League.