The founding members of the Sons of Ben had been waiting for this day for three years. Formed before Philadelphia had even been awarded a MLS franchise, the support group was finally getting to take part in the team's home debut.

They have Sebastien Le Toux to thank for ensuring that the day followed its scripted fairly tale ending.

Le Toux scored a hat trick and led the Union to a 3-2 victory over DC United, in what the MLS hopes will become a heated regional rivalry.

The Union's debut season began with a rocky start with a thorough thrashing from the Seattle Sounders two weeks ago, but their first return home was all they needed to right the ship.

In front of a boisterous crowd of almost 35,000 soccer-mad Philadelphians, Le Toux turned in a memorable performance that is sure to endear him to the previously professional soccer deprived city.

The party had begun long before Le Toux headed home his first goal, only five minutes into the game.

Union supporters had been congregating hours before the match's 6 pm starting time, tailgating, singing, chanting, dancing, and drinking to their hearts content in preparation for the memorable event.

However, the jubilation was tinged with sadness and manager Piotr Nowak opted to coach from box, out of respect to the victims of the airplane crash in Poland that had killed so many of Poland's political leaders, as well as a few that Nowak had known personally.

But once the game actually started, it did not take long for the team to give the supporters something to cheer about.

Scoring at five minutes, and again just before the half, the Union dominated possession during the first half, and asserted themselves in a physical but not reckless manner, something they could not manage during their first game.

However, the second half was a different story, and within 20 minutes it appeared that the Union's debut would end, not with a bang but a whimper.

DC United battled back, scoring two goals, and Union goalkeeper Chris Seitz made a colossal blunder to tie the game.

But in the end, it was not meant to be, and Le Toux was again the hero. Following a late foul, deep in United's territory, Le Toux slammed home the free kick, sealing his hat trick, and the Union's historic day.

It is only two games in the season, and their will certainly be many trials and tribulations to come, but for one day, the Union were on top of the world, and the famously fiery Philadelphia fans were able to cherish their team.

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