Team Name, Motto, Colors

Philadelphia’s women’s professional soccer team has selected a team name, motto, colors, and identity that capture the passion, spirit, character, and history of the city, its surrounding communities, and its citizens.  These core identities have deep roots in Philadelphia and represent many of the challenges and accomplishments that have made this city famous across the country and world.  Also, the unique stories linked to the team selections embody the admirable characteristics that were prominent in Philadelphia’s times of struggle and will be prominent again in this franchise, its players, and its successes.

Name:

The Declaration of Independence marked the birth of a nation.  Under the Declaration drafted here in Philadelphia in 1776, a group of brave pioneers banded together to face challenges and a common enemy.  With foresight, determination, and persistence, these talented individuals, representing all walks of life, discovered common ground and pledged to each other and to those that were to come after them, their “Lives, Fortunes, and Honor” to the sacred cause – Independence.

Consistent with this great American and Philadelphia story, this 2009 declaration of women’s professional soccer marks the birth of a new, proud Philadelphia sports franchise, the Independence.

A skilled group of professional soccer athletes and coaches that will proudly wear this name on their uniforms will band together to defeat common opponents, pledge their hearts and loyalties to this city and its fans, and be committed to ensuring the historic spirit of Independence prevails.

Motto:

Crafted by our founding fathers, including Philadelphians like Benjamin Franklin, these first words to our Constitution forever guarantee this country and its citizens, if they work collectively, the common goal of being empowered and protected.  This motto or chant, “We the People” describes exactly what this organization believes will ensure its success, on and off the field – hard work, problem solving, overcoming challenges, leadership, and a commitment to performance excellence.  We hope to hear your “We the People” cadence from the stadium stands loud and often.

Emblem:

This temporary corporate emblem will be used to represent this team and organization while our permanent team logo is designed and presented to the fans.  Now that we have unveiled our team name and selected team colors, watch the website for exciting news about the introduction of the team’s permanent logo.

Colors:

Yellow commemorates the Swedish settlers who first came to Philadelphia in 1638.  Steel Grey represents the city’s rich history in manufacturing and heavy industry.  Light Blue is borrowed from Philadelphia’s own city flag and symbolizes the proud work ethic of this city’s blue collar heritage.

Prior to the settlement of Pennsylvania by England’s William Penn, the area we now call Philadelphia was part of New Sweden.  Chartered by the Swedish King, the New Sweden Company set sail from Gothenburg in 1637 in hopes of creating an agricultural and fur-trading colony.  One of the first settlements in the New World, New Sweden coexisted peacefully in this Philadelphia area with their Dutch and Native American neighbors and engaged in successful trade.  The colony operated independently for almost twenty years, proudly flying the yellow and blue Swedish flag.  These early settlers had the willingness and intellect to adapt and thrive in a new environment.  They were brave, confident, and steadfast in their determination to work together, refine their skills and talents, and overcome obstacles – with sights set on a permanent and positive presence in this area, and a proud legacy of extraordinary success…..just like the Independence organization!

Manufacturing and heavy industry represent another chapter in Philadelphia’s rich and distinguished history.  By the post-Revolutionary period, Philadelphia had become one of the United States largest maritime ports.  Since the Embargo Act of 1802 barred foreign trade, Philadelphia was forced to evolve.  Its citizens built and operated factories and manufacturing plants to produce the goods no longer imported.  Although Philadelphia never regained its dominance in maritime trade after the embargo was repealed, it had adapted to the new environment and was proud to become the nation’s first major industrial city.  The characteristics associated with this challenging industrial period and with steel grey describe well some of the key components within this team’s identity – tough, honest, disciplined, hard working, innovative, and tenacious.  For this reason, steel grey has been selected as the primary color for the team’s home uniform.

The first two team colors of Philadelphia Independence represent the inspiring beginnings and impressive history of this city.  The third color, light blue, was selected especially for its people.  Philadelphia and its fans comprise dedicated, hard-working, blue collar people.  Philadelphia is a city of citizens that value tradition in life and in sport.  They are honest and straight forward.  They have strong family values that serve as the foundation for everything they do.  The fans in this city appreciate the “blue collar athlete” who isn’t flashy but is respectful and hard working, the athlete who understands the city and its fans while striving to make them proud.  And, in Philadelphia, honor, reputation, and integrity are still worth fighting for….everyday, on and off the field.  It is this spirit, and the enduring blue collar values that make Philadelphia fans the best in the world – and, what led the Independence to honor the city’s fans and their strong character with a trace of blue on the collar of the team’s away jerseys.