title: Irish mythology

text: Other important sources include a group of manuscripts that originated in the West of Ireland in the late 14th century or the early 15th century: "The Yellow Book of Lecan", "The Great Book of Lecan" and "The Book of Ballymote". The first of these is in the Library of Trinity College and the others are in the Royal Irish Academy. The Yellow Book of Lecan is composed of sixteen parts and includes the legends of Fionn Mac Cumhail, selections of legends of Irish Saints, and the earliest known version of the "Táin Bó Cúailnge" ("The Cattle Raid of Cooley"). This is one of Europe's oldest epics written in a vernacular language. Other 15th-century manuscripts, such as "The Book of Fermoy", also contain interesting materials, as do such later syncretic works such as Geoffrey Keating's "Foras Feasa ar Éirinn" ("The History of Ireland") (). These later compilers and writers may well have had access to manuscript sources that have since disappeared.


title: Irish mythology

text: Most of these manuscripts were created by Christian monks, who may well have been torn between a desire to record their native culture and hostility to pagan beliefs, resulting in some of the gods being euhemerised. Many of the later sources may also have formed parts of a propaganda effort designed to create a history for the people of Ireland that could bear comparison with the mythological descent of their British invaders from the founders of Rome, as promulgated by Geoffrey of Monmouth and others. There was also a tendency to rework Irish genealogies to fit them into the schemas of Greek or biblical genealogy.


title: Irish mythology

text: Whether medieval Irish literature provides reliable evidence of oral tradition remains a matter for debate. Kenneth Jackson described the Ulster Cycle as a "window on the Iron Age", and Garret Olmsted has attempted to draw parallels between "Táin Bó Cuailnge", the Ulster Cycle epic and the iconography of the Gundestrup Cauldron. However, these "nativist" claims have been challenged by "revisionist" scholars who believe that much of the literature was created, rather than merely recorded, in Christian times, more or less in imitation of the epics of classical literature that came with Latin learning. The revisionists point to passages apparently influenced by the Iliad in "Táin Bó Cuailnge", and to the "Togail Troí", an Irish adaptation of Dares Phrygius' "De excidio Troiae historia", found in the Book of Leinster. They also argue that the material culture depicted in the stories is generally closer to that of the time of their composition than to that of the distant past.


title: Irish mythology

text: The Mythological Cycle, comprising stories of the former gods and origins of the Irish, is the least well preserved of the four cycles. It is about the principal people who invaded and inhabited the island. The people include Cessair and her followers, the Formorians, the Partholinians, the Nemedians, the Firbolgs, the Tuatha Dé Danann, and the Milesians. The most important sources are the "Metrical Dindshenchas" or "Lore of Places" and the "Lebor Gabála Érenn" or "Book of Invasions". Other manuscripts preserve such mythological tales as "The Dream of Aengus", "the Wooing Of Étain" and "Cath Maige Tuireadh", "the (second) Battle of Magh Tuireadh". One of the best known of all Irish stories, "Oidheadh Clainne Lir", or "The Tragedy of the Children of Lir", is also part of this cycle.


title: Irish mythology

text: "Lebor Gabála Érenn" is a pseudo-history of Ireland, tracing the ancestry of the Irish back to before Noah. It tells of a series of invasions or "takings" of Ireland by a succession of peoples, the fifth of whom was the people known as the Túatha Dé Danann ("Peoples of the Goddess Danu"), who were believed to have inhabited the island before the arrival of the Gaels, or Milesians. They faced opposition from their enemies, the Fomorians, led by Balor of the Evil Eye. Balor was eventually slain by Lugh Lámfada (Lugh of the Long Arm) at the second battle of Magh Tuireadh. With the arrival of the Gaels, the Túatha Dé Danann retired underground to become the fairy people of later myth and legend.


title: Irish mythology

text: The "Metrical Dindshenchas" is the great onomastics work of early Ireland, giving the naming legends of significant places in a sequence of poems. It includes a lot of important information on Mythological Cycle figures and stories, including the Battle of Tailtiu, in which the Túatha Dé Danann were defeated by the Milesians.


title: Irish mythology

text: It is important to note that by the Middle Ages the Túatha Dé Danann were not viewed so much as gods as the shape-shifting magician population of an earlier Golden Age Ireland. Texts such as "Lebor Gabála Érenn" and "Cath Maige Tuireadh" present them as kings and heroes of the distant past, complete with death-tales. However, there is considerable evidence, both in the texts and from the wider Celtic world, that they were once considered deities.


title: Irish mythology

text: Even after they are displaced as the rulers of Ireland, characters such as Lugh, the Mórrígan, Aengus and Manannán Mac Lir appear in stories set centuries later, betraying their immortality. A poem in the Book of Leinster lists many of the Túatha Dé, but ends "Although [the author] enumerates them, he does not worship them". Goibniu, Creidhne and Luchta are referred to as "Trí Dé Dána" ("three gods of craftsmanship"), and the Dagda's name is interpreted in medieval texts as "the good god". Nuada is cognate with the British god Nodens; Lugh is a reflex of the pan-Celtic deity Lugus, the name of whom may indicate "Light"; Tuireann may be related to the Gaulish Taranis; Ogma to Ogmios; the Badb to Catubodua.


title: Irish mythology

text: The Ulster Cycle is traditionally set around the first century AD, and most of the action takes place in the provinces of Ulster and Connacht. It consists of a group of heroic tales dealing with the lives of Conchobar mac Nessa, king of Ulster, the great hero Cú Chulainn, who was the son of Lug (Lugh), and of their friends, lovers, and enemies. These are the Ulaid, or people of the North-Eastern corner of Ireland and the action of the stories centres round the royal court at Emain Macha (known in English as Navan Fort), close to the modern town of Armagh. The Ulaid had close links with the Irish colony in Scotland, and part of Cú Chulainn's training takes place in that colony.


title: Irish mythology

text: The cycle consists of stories of the births, early lives and training, wooing, battles, feastings, and deaths of the heroes. It also reflects a warrior society in which warfare consists mainly of single combats and wealth is measured mainly in cattle. These stories are written mainly in prose. The centerpiece of the Ulster Cycle is the "Táin Bó Cúailnge". Other important Ulster Cycle tales include "The Tragic Death of Aife's only Son", "Bricriu's Feast", and "The Destruction of Da Derga's Hostel". "The Exile of the Sons of Usnach", better known as the tragedy of Deirdre and the source of plays by John Millington Synge, William Butler Yeats, and Vincent Woods, is also part of this cycle.


title: Irish mythology

text: This cycle is, in some respects, close to the mythological cycle. Some of the characters from the latter reappear, and the same sort of shape-shifting magic is much in evidence, side by side with a grim, almost callous realism. While we may suspect a few characters, such as Medb or Cú Roí, of once being deities, and Cú Chulainn in particular displays superhuman prowess, the characters are mortal and associated with a specific time and place. If the Mythological Cycle represents a Golden Age, the Ulster Cycle is Ireland's Heroic Age.


title: Irish mythology

text: Like the Ulster Cycle, the Fianna Cycle or Fenian Cycle, also referred to as the Ossianic Cycle, is concerned with the deeds of Irish heroes. The stories of the Cycle appear to be set around the 3rd century and mainly in the provinces of Leinster and Munster. They differ from the other cycles in the strength of their links with the Gaelic-speaking community in Scotland and there are many extant texts from that country. They also differ from the Ulster Cycle in that the stories are told mainly in verse and that in tone they are nearer to the tradition of romance than the tradition of epic. The stories concern the doings of Fionn mac Cumhaill and his band of soldiers, the Fianna.


title: Irish mythology

text: The single most important source for the Fianna Cycle is the "Acallam na Senórach" ("Colloquy of the Old Men"), which is found in two 15th century manuscripts, the "Book of Lismore" and Laud 610, as well as a 17th century manuscript from Killiney, County Dublin. The text is dated from linguistic evidence to the 12th century. The text records conversations between Caílte mac Rónáin and Oisín, the last surviving members of the Fianna, and Saint Patrick, and consists of about 8,000 lines. The late dates of the manuscripts may reflect a longer oral tradition for the Fenian stories.


title: Irish mythology

text: The Fianna of the story are divided into the Clann Baiscne, led by Fionn mac Cumhaill (often rendered as "Finn MacCool", Finn Son of Cumhall), and the Clann Morna, led by his enemy, Goll mac Morna. Goll killed Fionn's father, Cumhal, in battle and the boy Fionn was brought up in secrecy. As a youth, while being trained in the art of poetry, he accidentally burned his thumb while cooking the Salmon of Knowledge, which allowed him to suck or bite his thumb to receive bursts of stupendous wisdom. He took his place as the leader of his band and numerous tales are told of their adventures. Two of the greatest of the Irish tales, "Tóraigheacht Dhiarmada agus Ghráinne" ("The Pursuit of Diarmuid and Gráinne)" and "Oisín in Tír na nÓg" form part of the cycle. The Diarmuid and Grainne story, which is one of the cycle's few prose tales, is a probable source of "Tristan and Iseult".


title: Irish mythology

text: The world of the Fianna Cycle is one in which professional warriors spend their time hunting, fighting, and engaging in adventures in the spirit world. New entrants into the band are expected to be knowledgeable in poetry as well as undergo a number of physical tests or ordeals. Most of the poems are attributed to being composed by Oisín"." This cycle creates a bridge between pre-Christian and Christian times.


title: Irish mythology

text: It was part of the duty of the medieval Irish bards, or court poets, to record the history of the family and the genealogy of the king they served. This they did in poems that blended the mythological and the historical to a greater or lesser degree. The resulting stories from what has come to be known as the Cycle of the Kings, or more correctly Cycles, as there are a number of independent groupings. This term is a more recent addition to the cycles, with it being coined in 1946 by Irish literary critic Myles Dillon.


title: Irish mythology

text: The kings that are included range from the almost entirely mythological Labraid Loingsech, who allegedly became High King of Ireland around 431 BC, to the entirely historical Brian Boru. However, the greatest glory of the Kings' Cycle is the "Buile Shuibhne" ("The Frenzy of Sweeney"), a 12th century tale told in verse and prose. Suibhne, king of Dál nAraidi, was cursed by St. Ronan and became a kind of half-man, half bird, condemned to live out his life in the woods, fleeing from his human companions. The story has captured the imaginations of contemporary Irish poets and has been translated by Trevor Joyce and Seamus Heaney.


title: Irish mythology

text: The adventures, or "echtrae", are a group of stories of visits to the Irish Other World (which may be westward across the sea, underground, or simply invisible to mortals). The most famous, "Oisin in Tir na nÓg" belongs to the Fenian Cycle, but several free-standing adventures survive, including "The Adventure of Conle", "The Voyage of Bran mac Ferbail", and "The Adventure of Lóegaire".


title: Irish mythology

text: The voyages, or "immrama", are tales of sea journeys and the wonders seen on them that may have resulted from the combination of the experiences of fishermen combined and the Other World elements that inform the adventures. Of the seven "immrama" mentioned in the manuscripts, only three have survived: "The Voyage of Máel Dúin", the "Voyage of the Uí Chorra", and the "Voyage of Snedgus and Mac Riagla". "The Voyage of Mael Duin" is the forerunner of the later "Voyage of St. Brendan". While not as ancient, later 8th century AD works, that influenced European literature, include The Vision of Adamnán.


title: Irish mythology

text: Although there are no written sources of Irish mythology, many stories are passed down orally through traditional storytelling. Some of these stories have been lost, but some Celtic regions continue to tell folktales to the modern-day. Folktales and stories were primarily persevered in monastic scribes from the bards of nobility. Once the noble houses started to decline, this tradition was put to an abrupt end. The bards passed the stories to their families, and the families would take on the oral tradition of storytelling.


title: Irish mythology

text: During the first few years of the 20th century, Herminie T. Kavanagh wrote down many Irish folk tales, which she published in magazines and in two books. Twenty-six years after her death, the tales from her two books, "Darby O'Gill and the Good People" and "Ashes of Old Wishes," were made into the film Darby O'Gill and the Little People. Noted Irish playwright Lady Gregory also collected folk stories to preserve Irish history. The Irish Folklore Commission gathered folk tales from the general Irish populace from 1935 onward.


title: Keemstar

text: Daniel M. Keem (born March 8, 1982), better known by his online alias Keemstar, is an American YouTuber, podcaster, and streamer. He is best known for being the host of the Internet popular culture news show DramaAlert. He is a controversial figure due to his involvement in many conflicts and controversies. He has released small amounts of discography as well.


title: Keemstar

text: Keem was born on March 8, 1982, in Buffalo, New York. He has one brother and one sister. He is of predominantly Italian and Greek descent.


title: Keemstar

text: Keem's first appearance on YouTube was in a "Halo 3" YouTube video from January 2009, where he was recorded trashtalking through the online multiplayer voice-chat. In September 2012, Keem began using the hashtag #DramaAlert on Twitter. In June 2014, after numerous terminations he registered the current channel of 'DramaAlert'. Keem often offers his own opinions on subjects he reports on.


title: Keemstar

text: In February 2011, Keem promoted FortressCraft, a game coming to Xbox Live. Keem contacted the Indie developer and made a deal with them, taking part-ownership of the game. It went on to sell 2 million copies.


title: Keemstar

text: In July 2011, Keem held a tournament alongside Alki David called the 'Billionaire's Challenge' where players had to compete for prizes. The first was a massive success with a lot of famous YouTubers participating. They arranged a second one. Alki during the draft said they would be airing a assisted suicide during it which caused a huge controversy with a lot of the YouTubers eventually backing out. It later turned out to be a joke. The second show went ahead anyways.


title: Keemstar

text: In June 2012, Keem and "Call of Duty" YouTuber ONLYUSEmeBLADE created the Bad Kid Show podcast. The show initially started out as audio podcasts, then Blade moved cross-country to New York in September joined by Scott Kinmartin in August and created IRL video shows.


title: Keemstar

text: In July 2012, Keem started the campaign #Dildos4Africa while running for King of the Web. The idea with the money was to buy $75,000 worth of dildos to send them to Africa and reduce overpopulation.


title: Keemstar

text: On October 25, 2021, Keem announced via Twitter his plan to retire from YouTube on March 8, 2022, the day of his 40th birthday and after 14 years of content creation. In his announcement video released one day later titled "Retired," he expressed his dissatisfaction with making videos on the platform, citing the effects of cancel culture along with changes to YouTube's algorithm and the website's community as factors for his decision. On November 12, 2021, Keem hired a new host, Willy Mac, and also decided to rehire a former host, TyBlue.


title: Keemstar

text: On February 12, 2022, Keem announced that he had changed his mind and would not retire from DramaAlert, citing a lack of confidence in any permanent replacement and a new 3 year sponsorship deal struck with sports betting company MyBookie.


title: Keemstar

text: In 2010, during an argument with a moderator named Alex on the website BattleCam.com, Keem encouraged his viewers to type "Alex is a stupid nigger" in the stream's chat; he later apologized for using the racist slur.


title: Keemstar

text: In January 2016, Keem posted a tweet directed at TotalBiscuit, a YouTuber who was diagnosed with terminal cancer, saying that he could not wait to report on his death. Keem later apologized for the tweet. TotalBiscuit died in May 2018.


title: Keemstar

text: In May 2016, YouTuber iDubbbz, released a video exposé on YouTube about Keem. In the video, he accused Keem of threatening big YouTubers with negative coverage and promoting small channels or accusing them of hiding something. iDubbbz called Keem a "very rash decision maker" and showed clips of Keem saying what iDubbbz deemed to be regrettable. In response, Keem called the video "entertaining" and denied wanting to attack other YouTubers, saying he has "no problem booking guests or landing exclusive interviews". He also apologized for the comments and incidents he caused, but sarcastically justified saying "nigger" by using a genealogical DNA test to prove he was nine percent black.


title: Keemstar

text: In 2016, Keemstar sent a harassment campaign to a fellow streamer. He falsely claimed that fellow Runescape Twitch streamer Tony Ray "RSGloryandGold" Winchester was a "pedophile", confusing him with John Phillips, a convicted pedophile who used Runescape to attract children for sex. Keemstar was later proven to be incorrect. Tony proved his identity, causing Keem to reluctantly apologize, fire one of his editors, offer Tony $1000 which was refused, and pull his story. Keem's fans still continue to harass Tony sending death threats and coming into his stream to troll Tony, causing Tony to tear up in an infamous clip which can be seen online. RSGoloryandGold later forgave Keemstar.


title: Keemstar

text: In January 2019, YouTuber Jake Paul accused Keem of body-shaming Paul's then-girlfriend, Erika Costell, after Keem made a tweet comparing her body to Eugenia Cooney, a YouTuber with an eating disorder.


title: Keemstar

text: In June 2019, YouTuber Etika posted a video in the form of a suicide note titled "I'm sorry". Keem was among the people Etika spoke about, saying "Keemstar, I wish you the best, my nigga". Following Etika's suicide, Keem came under scrutiny, as he was blamed for Etika's death due to the interview he had with him a couple months prior, along with statements made in tweets prior to and following the interview. Keem argued that he was not to blame for Etika's death because he seemed fine privately and doctors believed he was stable.<ref name="Etika/Keem"></ref> Keem later posted a screenshot of several texts allegedly sent by Etika's mother, which stated that he was not to blame for Etika's suicide and that he loved Keem and his show.


title: Keemstar

text: In May 2020, YouTuber Ethan Klein released a video exposé about Keem, with one of his claims being that he exploited Etika, who later died by suicide. This resulted in G Fuel ending their sponsorship with Keem.


title: Keemstar

text: In April 2021, in response to Jake Paul facing sexual assault allegations from TikTok user Justine Paradise, Keem posted on Twitter that there is no way to sexually assault someone orally, stating the victim had to choose to "open her mouth" as well as quoting "Is there really no way to get away? I just really don't believe this story at all."


title: Keemstar

text: In August 2021, Keem announced that he split up with his girlfriend Christine Youngman after gaining controversy due to their 19 year age gap, Keem being 39 and Youngman being 20. He stated that the only people who had a problem with the age gap were his "enemies" and "unattractive females."


title: Renaissance (Beyoncé album)

text: Renaissance (also titled as Act I: Renaissance) is the seventh studio album by American singer Beyoncé, released on July 29, 2022, by Parkwood Entertainment and Columbia Records. Her first solo studio release since "Lemonade" (2016) and the first installment of a trilogy project, Beyoncé wrote and produced the album with Nova Wav, The-Dream, Symbolyc One, A. G. Cook, Honey Dijon, Beam, Tricky Stewart, BloodPop, Skrillex, Hit-Boy, No I.D., P2J and various others. Beam, Grace Jones and Tems appear as guest vocalists.


title: Renaissance (Beyoncé album)

text: Beyoncé conceived and recorded "Renaissance" during the COVID-19 pandemic, seeking to inspire joy and escapism in listeners who had experienced isolation and to celebrate a club era in which marginalized people sought liberation through dance music. With its songs seamlessly arranged like a DJ mix, the album blends post-1970s Black dance music styles such as disco and house and pays homage to the Black and queer pioneers of those genres. The album's lyrical content explores themes of escapism, hedonism, self-assurance and self-expression.


title: Renaissance (Beyoncé album)

text: "Renaissance" was a commercial success. It debuted at number one on the US "Billboard" 200 chart, Beyoncé's seventh consecutive album to do so, and is certified platinum. It also reached number one in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. The lead single "Break My Soul" was released on June 20, 2022, and reached number one on several charts worldwide, including the US "Billboard" Hot 100.


title: Renaissance (Beyoncé album)

text: The album received widespread acclaim from music critics for its eclectic yet cohesive sound, joyous mood, and Beyoncé's vocal performance. It was named the best album of the year by publications including the "Los Angeles Times", "The New York Times", NPR, "Pitchfork", and "Rolling Stone". "Renaissance" received a record-breaking nine nominations at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Record of the Year.


title: Renaissance (Beyoncé album)

text: In the latter half of the 2010s, Beyoncé released several critically acclaimed, narrative-driven projects that explored the legacies of Black musicians and artists, including 2016's "Lemonade"; her 2018, HBCU-inspired Coachella performance and the Netflix film and live album that documented it; and 2019's "The Lion King" soundtrack album "" and its visual companion, 2020's "Black Is King".


title: Renaissance (Beyoncé album)

text: Beyoncé told British "Vogue" that the lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic changed her as a person, stating that she has "spent a lot of time focusing on building my legacy and representing my culture the best way I know how. Now, I've decided to give myself permission to focus on my joy." Further, she called this period the most creative time in her life as she sought to escape feelings of isolation by recording new music. As lockdowns began to end, Beyoncé told "Harper's Bazaar" that "we are all ready to escape, travel, love, and laugh again. I feel a renaissance emerging, and I want to be part of nurturing that escape in any way possible."


title: Renaissance (Beyoncé album)

text: Beyoncé sought inspiration in post-1970s Black dance music and club culture. Beyoncé noted that she was largely introduced to this culture by her "Uncle" Jonny, her gay cousin who helped raise her until his death during the AIDS epidemic. Further, she wanted the album to be a celebration of the underappreciated pioneers of dance music, whose contributions had been unrecognized in the mainstream.


title: Renaissance (Beyoncé album)

text: On June 30, 2022, Beyoncé revealed the album's cover art, accompanied by a brief note, on her social media accounts. In the cover image, she is seated atop a "glowing", "holographic", "crystal horse" in a "futuristic, centipede-ish bikini". Critics interpreted the equestrian pose as an allusion both to John Collier's 1897 painting "Lady Godiva" and to photographs of Bianca Jagger riding a horse into Studio 54. Beyoncé's garment was designed by Nusi Quero and is reminiscent of the crystal top she wore on the 2003 "Dangerously in Love" cover.


title: Renaissance (Beyoncé album)

text: An alternate cover image for the vinyl release features Beyoncé atop the same horse, but "wearing a white cowboy hat with a silver headpiece that hides her hair" and "sparkling silver chains that drape her arms and legs, as white, feathery poofs hang along the body of the horse".


title: Renaissance (Beyoncé album)

text: According to critics, "Renaissance" has an "innovative" and "playful" approach to genre, blending and shifting between several styles, primarily various genres of post-1970s black dance music. Described as a dance, house, disco, pop and R&B album, its songs incorporate elements of a wide variety of sub-genres, namely bounce, Detroit techno, garage, Afrobeats, boogie, funk, gospel, Miami bass, psychedelic soul, hip hop, trap, gqom, new jack swing, Jersey club, Chicago house, deep house, electro house, hip house, synth-pop, hyperpop, dancehall, and nu-disco.


title: Renaissance (Beyoncé album)

text: The tracks are connected by seamless transitions facilitated by beatmatching, evoking a DJ mix. This reflects "the shifting moods and the physicality of the dance floor" rather than "the constraints of a radio station or a playlist", according to "The New Yorker"'s Carrie Battan. Some tracks also have unconventional song structures, containing multiple tempos and movements.


title: Renaissance (Beyoncé album)

text: Lyrically, "Renaissance" contains themes of escapism, self-assurance, self-expression, hedonism and pleasure, with Beyoncé inspiring joy and confidence in listeners. According to "The Guardian", it "urg[es] listeners to wholeheartedly embrace pleasure", particularly referencing joy in Black culture. The album's lyrics emphasize dance as both a measure of personal catharsis and a liberating spiritual practice.


title: Renaissance (Beyoncé album)

text: Beyoncé collaborated with, sampled and interpolated several progenitors of dance music on the album, including both mainstream and underground artists. This made the album a celebration of black and queer dance culture, with "Vulture"'s Charlie Harding liking it to "a DJ set curated by house-music pioneers".


title: Renaissance (Beyoncé album)

text: Beyoncé began to tease a new album on June7, 2022, by removing her profile picture from all of her social media platforms. Four days later, the text "What is a B7?" appeared on the homepage of the singer's official website. Fans noticed that the website also had placeholders for her upcoming seventh and eighth studio albums. Beyoncé officially announced the album and released the pre-sale for "Renaissance" on her website and digital streaming platforms the following day.


title: Renaissance (Beyoncé album)

text: After first joining TikTok in December 2021, Beyoncé posted her first video, a compilation of people (including American rapper Cardi B) "dancing, vibing, and singing along" to "Renaissance"s lead single, "Break My Soul", on July 14, 2022. Further, she made her entire catalog available for use on the platform, attracting significant media attention. Two days before the scheduled release, on July 27, the album arrived in retailers in France and eventually leaked onto the Internet.


title: Renaissance (Beyoncé album)

text: The album was released on July 29, 2022. Upon the album's release, Beyoncé posted a note on her website revealing that "Renaissance" is the first part of a three-act project that she recorded over the past three years, during the COVID-19 pandemic.


title: Renaissance (Beyoncé album)

text: Critics noted that "Renaissance" had a more conventional rollout than a number of Beyoncé’s previous albums, which were all surprise releases". The New York Times" wrote that the album’s rollout reflected its throwback themes and music, with Beyoncé eschewing an exclusive digital release and instead releasing elaborate vinyl and CD packages"." This ushered in a revival of CD sales, according to "Billboard".


title: Renaissance (Beyoncé album)

text: On June 20, 2022, Beyoncé announced the album's lead single, "Break My Soul", would be released at midnight Eastern Time on June 21, to coincide with the 2022 summer solstice. The song appeared on music streaming service Tidal hours early, on June 20, and a lyric video was later released on YouTube.


title: Renaissance (Beyoncé album)

text: On September 21, 2022, it was reported that "Church Girl" would be released as the album's second single; a week later, it was announced that it would be simultaneously released alongside "Cuff It" as the next two singles. "Church Girl" was scheduled to impact rhythmic contemporary radio on October 4, 2022, but the release failed to materialize whereas "Cuff It" was released as the sole second single, being sent to radio in France on September 28, 2022. It impacted rhythmic and urban contemporary radio stations in the United States on October 4, 2022.


title: Renaissance (Beyoncé album)

text: When "Renaissance" was first released, Beyoncé stated through a press release that she wanted fans to focus on the music, rather than any visual components, but confirmed that visuals were eventually forthcoming. On August 9, 2022, Beyoncé released a teaser video for the album's opening track, "I'm That Girl", that included a rapid montage of over twenty outfits that news outlets interpreted as previewing the various impending music videos for each track on the album.


title: Renaissance (Beyoncé album)

text: "Renaissance" was met with widespread acclaim from music critics, many of whom praised its cohesive yet eclectic production, joyous nature, vocal performance, and celebration of post-1970s Black dance music. "Renaissance" is the most highly acclaimed album of 2022, topping many critics' year-end lists. On review aggregator Metacritic, "Renaissance" received a score of 91 out of 100 based on 26 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim". On review aggregator AnyDecentMusic?, the album has a rating of 8.6 out of 10 based on 25 reviews.


title: Renaissance (Beyoncé album)

text: Veteran critic Robert Christgau hailed "Renaissance" as "the album of the year" and Beyoncé's "finest album", calling it unconventionally political, "erotically explicit, knowledgeable, and felt", with each song a "shrewdly differentiated pop smash". Characterizing it as a "modern classic" and Beyoncé's most impressive album, "Exclaim!"'s Vernon Ayiku wrote that "Renaissance" is "the sound of a once-in-a-generation superstar performing at her peak". According to Kyle Denis of "Billboard", "Renaissance" is an "absolutely stunning body of work", and perhaps Beyoncé's most innovative and experimental album with her "most nuanced vocal performances" to date. NPR's Ann Powers described it as "Beyoncé's Sistine Chapel", with its "stunning" design and detail, multifaceted nature and "timeless" impact.


title: Renaissance (Beyoncé album)

text: "The Line of Best Fit" critic David Cobbald described the album as one of Beyoncé's best, noting that it is a departure from her previous work. Cobbald praised the album for celebrating "underappreciated architects" of disco, house and funk music. Music journalist Kate Solomon, writing for "i," dubbed the album a "dazzling tribute to underground and underappreciated Black culture" and a dancefloor record aimed to heal "the pain and anguish" of the COVID-19 pandemic. Melissa Ruggieri described it "a danceteria devoted to hedonism, sex and most importantly self-worth" in "USA Today". Wesley Morris of "The New York Times" noted Beyoncé's "galactic" vocal performance, delivery and range. Mikael Wood of the "Los Angeles Times" called the album "the year's smartest record [and] also its most deep-feeling", praising its rhythms, harmonies and vocals. "Pitchfork" critic Julianne Escobedo Shepherd called it "a challenging, densely-referenced album" that forays into dance and club music more successfully than similar projects by Beyoncé's peers.


title: Renaissance (Beyoncé album)

text: Marcus Shorter of "Consequence" wrote "Renaissance" is not a perfect album but comes "pretty damn close" with its "infectious and not overbearing, elegant, but not shallow" songs. John Amen, writing for "PopMatters", complimented the album's contemporaneous production, dubbing it "a litany of samples, allusions, and tributes" but with "more style than substance" at times. "Resident Advisor"'s Kiana Mickles was more critical, claiming that "the album falls flat when it tries too hard to immerse itself in a culture that does not belong to Beyoncé."


title: Renaissance (Beyoncé album)

text: Jamaican singer Grace Jones was featured on the track "Move"; Jones said how she does not usually collaborate with other artists, but agreed to work with Beyoncé because she is "a beautiful person, a beautiful talent" and she attends the same church as Jones' brother. American television personality Ts Madison, whose viral video clip "Bitch, I'm Black" is sampled on "Cozy", expressed gratitude to Beyoncé for allowing her to "let me use my voice" and "let it be known that we are all Black in totality" to a global audience. Other artists who expressed gratitude for being included on "Renaissance" include Robin S., whose 1990 house hit "Show Me Love" is credited on lead single "Break My Soul"; Kevin Aviance, whose song "Cunty" is sampled on "Pure/Honey"; and ballroom commentator Kevin JZ Prodigy, whose chants are borrowed from the 2009 DJ MikeQ track "Feels Like" on "Pure/Honey".


title: Renaissance (Beyoncé album)

text: American singer and songwriter Kelis' 2003 single "Milkshake" was interpolated on "Energy". Beyoncé sought permission from Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo of the Neptunes – the sole writers, producers and rights owners of "Milkshake" – who subsequently cleared the interpolation. Kelis voiced anger about this, claiming that the Neptunes made her sign an exploitative contract and that she should have been notified of the song's use in advance. In response, the interpolation was removed from "Energy".


title: Renaissance (Beyoncé album)

text: The song "Heated" was met with criticism online for its use of the word "spaz" in its lyrics, which disability advocates said is an ableist slur. Other users online said that "spaz" has a different meaning in African-American Vernacular English and is synonymous with "freaking out". Beyoncé announced the following day that the word would be removed from the song, with the word soon being replaced with "blast".


title: Renaissance (Beyoncé album)

text: British tabloid "The Sun" claimed that English pop duo Right Said Fred said that Beyoncé did not seek permission to interpolate their 1991 single "I'm Too Sexy" on "Alien Superstar". In response, Beyoncé's representative said that the accusation is false, with permission being sought on May 11, 2022 and granted on June 15, and the duo subsequently speaking of their gratitude for being on the album on social media.


title: Renaissance (Beyoncé album)

text: "Renaissance" was the most nominated album at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards, receiving nine including Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Record of the Year. This tied Beyoncé with Jay-Z as the most Grammy-nominated artists of all time.


title: Renaissance (Beyoncé album)

text: Upon its release, "Renaissance" garnered the record for the most single-day streams for an album by a female artist on Spotify in 2022, with over 43 million streams, which was later surpassed by Taylor Swift's "Midnights". Within three months of its release, "Renaissance" amassed over 1 billion streams on Spotify.


title: Renaissance (Beyoncé album)

text: In the United States, "Renaissance" debuted at number one on the "Billboard" 200 chart, with 332,000 album-equivalent units—the second biggest 2022 album debut by a female artist and the third-biggest overall, after Taylor Swift's "Midnights" and Harry Styles's "Harry's House". In doing so, "Renaissance" became Beyoncé's seventh consecutive album to debut at number one and the first album released by a woman in 2022 to reach number one. Already the only artist to have her first six albums all debut at number one, she became the first artist whose first seven albums did so as well.


title: Renaissance (Beyoncé album)

text: "Renaissance" received 179.06 million streams in its first week, the eighth-biggest of the year overall, and the most of Beyoncé's career. In terms of traditional album sales, "Renaissance" posted the fourth-largest sales week for an album in 2022 with 190,000 albums sold. Additionally, the album sold 26,000 vinyl copies in its debut week.


title: Renaissance (Beyoncé album)

text: "Renaissance" went on to spend its first 14 consecutive weeks within the top 10 of the Billboard 200.


title: Renaissance (Beyoncé album)

text: In Canada, "Renaissance" debuted at number one on the Canadian Albums Chart, becoming Beyoncé's third consecutive album to do so and her fourth number one album overall.


title: Renaissance (Beyoncé album)

text: By its second day of release, "Renaissance" was outselling the rest of the week's top five bestselling albums combined in the UK. The album debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart, becoming Beyoncé fourth album to do so as a solo act, and her fifth including Destiny's Child. The album also debuted at number one on the Official Vinyl Albums Chart. In Ireland, "Renaissance" debuted atop the Irish Albums Chart, becoming Beyoncé's fifth number one album in the country. Simultaneously, "Break My Soul" also peaked at number one on the Irish Singles Chart, allowing Beyoncé to score an Irish Chart Double. In France, "Renaissance" debuted at number one on the SNEP albums chart, becoming Beyoncé's first number one album and her fourth top ten album in the country. Previously, "4" was Beyoncé's highest-charting album in the country, peaking at number two in 2011. Additionally, the album was the first album by a female artist to top the chart in 2022. In the Netherlands, the album landed atop the Album Top 100, becoming Beyoncé's third consecutive album to reach the summit in the country. The album has so far spent three non-consecutive weeks at number one, following its return to number one in its 11th week on the chart.


title: Renaissance (Beyoncé album)

text: In Australia, the album debuted at number one on the Australian Albums Chart, becoming Beyoncé's third consecutive number-one album in the country after "Beyoncé" and "Lemonade". Additionally, seven tracks from the album debuted in the top 50. It spent two consecutive weeks at number one, becoming her first album to do so since "Beyoncé". "Renaissance" debuted at number one on the New Zealand Albums Chart, becoming Beyoncé's second consecutive number one album in the country following 2016's "Lemonade", and her seventh top ten album in the country overall.


title: Renaissance (Beyoncé album)

text: Upon release, "Renaissance" sparked conversations and essays on the history of dance music and its roots in Black culture. Beyoncé's mention of Telfar and Birkin bags in the closing track "Summer Renaissance" caused searches for both items to surge on Google Trends and multiple re-sale websites.


title: Renaissance (Beyoncé album)

text: Several producers and musicians praised the release. American singer Crystal Waters, who helped make house music mainstream in the 1990s, said she was "ecstatic" when she heard Beyoncé's new music and expressed gratitude for how she is shining a light on underappreciated house singers. Chicago house DJ Ron Carroll described "Renaissance" as a "trailblazing" album that has reintroduced house music to the radio and encouraged other musicians to follow Beyoncé's lead. British singer-songwriter Ellie Goulding said that her upcoming album "Higher Than Heaven" is a dance and house album in the same vein as "Renaissance", with Beyoncé taking those genres globally. She later said that "Renaissance" restored her faith in pop music after the genre was heading in a bad direction. American singer SZA said that the album was the biggest risk a mainstream artist has taken in recent years.


title: Renaissance (Beyoncé album)

text: Aluna Francis of English electronic music duo AlunaGeorge lauded "Renaissance" for its impact on dance music and its Black creators. Francis explained that throughout her career, she had hoped and fought for the widespread recognition of Black musicians' place in dance music. Francis wrote that this revolution has now occurred following the release of "Renaissance", with Beyoncé breaking stigmas and declaring that dance music is Black music, in turn encouraging listeners to reflect on the visibility and exploitation of Blackness within dance genres. Francis added that "Renaissance" could greatly benefit the investment and growth of communities around the world which allow Black dance music to thrive.


title: 2022 UEFA Europa League Final

text: The 2022 UEFA Europa League Final was the final match of the 2021–22 UEFA Europa League, the 51st season of Europe's secondary club football tournament organised by UEFA, and the 13th season since it was renamed from the UEFA Cup to the UEFA Europa League. It was played at Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán in Seville, Spain, on 18 May 2022, between German club Eintracht Frankfurt and Scottish club Rangers.


title: 2022 UEFA Europa League Final

text: The final was originally scheduled to be played at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary. However, due to the postponement and relocation of the 2020 final, the final hosts were shifted back a year, with Budapest instead hosting the 2023 final.


title: 2022 UEFA Europa League Final

text: Eintracht Frankfurt won the match 5–4 on penalties, following a 1–1 draw after extra time, for their second UEFA Cup/Europa League title after 1980. Frankfurt became the first German side since Schalke 04 in 1997 to win the competition. As winners, they earned the right to play against the winners of the 2021–22 UEFA Champions League, Real Madrid, in the 2022 UEFA Super Cup, and qualified for the 2022–23 UEFA Champions League group stage.


title: 2022 UEFA Europa League Final

text: "In the following table, finals until 2009 were in the UEFA Cup era, since 2010 were in the UEFA Europa League era."


title: 2022 UEFA Europa League Final

text: This was the first Europa League final to be held at the stadium. It previously hosted the 1986 European Cup Final. The city of Seville hosted the 2003 UEFA Cup Final at the Estadio de La Cartuja. Spain had hosted four other UEFA Cup finals (holding a leg in 1977, 1985, 1986, and 1988).


title: 2022 UEFA Europa League Final

text: An open bidding process was launched on 28 September 2018 by UEFA to select the venues of the finals of the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, and UEFA Women's Champions League in 2021. Associations had until 26 October 2018 to express interest, and bid dossiers must be submitted by 15 February 2019.


title: 2022 UEFA Europa League Final

text: UEFA announced on 1 November 2018 that three associations had expressed interest in hosting the 2021 UEFA Europa League final, and on 22 February 2019 that two associations submitted their dossiers by the deadline.


title: 2022 UEFA Europa League Final

text: The Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán was selected by the UEFA Executive Committee during their meeting in Ljubljana, Slovenia on 24 September 2019.


title: 2022 UEFA Europa League Final

text: On 17 June 2020, the UEFA Executive Committee announced that due to the postponement and relocation of the 2020 final, Seville would instead host the 2022 final.


title: 2022 UEFA Europa League Final

text: This was Eintracht Frankfurt's third final in a major UEFA competition, having lost the 1960 European Cup Final to Real Madrid and won the 1980 UEFA Cup Final. Having become the first German team in a major European final since Bayern Munich in the 2020 UEFA Champions League Final and the first UEFA Cup/Europa League finalist from Germany since Werder Bremen in 2009, they were seeking to become the first German side since Schalke 04 in 1997 to win the competition. Their manager Oliver Glasner was seeking to become the first Austrian to win a European trophy since Ernst Happel in the 1983 European Cup Final and the first Austrian to win the UEFA Cup/Europa League.


title: 2022 UEFA Europa League Final

text: This was Rangers' fifth final in a major UEFA competition, having won the 1972 European Cup Winners' Cup Final and lost both the 1961 and 1967 Cup Winners' Cup finals as well as the 1972 European Super Cup and the 2008 UEFA Cup Final. Having become the first Scottish club in any European final since themselves in 2008, they were seeking to become the first Scottish club since Aberdeen in the 1983 European Super Cup to win a European trophy and the first Scottish side to win the UEFA Cup/Europa League. Their manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst was seeking to become the first Dutch to win a European trophy since Dick Advocaat with Zenit Saint Petersburg in the 2008 UEFA Super Cup; they were qualified after defeating Rangers in the year's UEFA Cup final.


title: 2022 UEFA Europa League Final

text: The two sides previously met twice in European competitions, in the 1959–60 European Cup semi-finals, with Eintracht Frankfurt winning both legs.


title: 2022 UEFA Europa League Final

text: The logo of the 2022 UEFA Europa League Final was unveiled at the group stage draw on 27 August 2021 in Istanbul.


title: 2022 UEFA Europa League Final

text: On 11 May 2022, UEFA named Slovenian official Slavko Vinčić as the referee for the final. Vinčić had been a FIFA referee since 2010, and was previously an additional assistant referee in the 2017 UEFA Europa League Final and the fourth official in the 2021 UEFA Europa League Final. He also worked as an additional assistant referee in the 2012 UEFA Super Cup. He officiated ten matches in the 2021–22 Champions League season, with two matches in qualification, five in the group stage and three knockout fixtures. He served as a referee at UEFA Euro 2020, where he officiated two group matches and a quarter-final. He was joined by three of his fellow countrymen, with Tomaž Klančnik and Andraž Kovačič as assistant referees, and Jure Praprotnik as one of the assistant VAR officials. Srđan Jovanović of Serbia served as the fourth official, while Dutchman Pol van Boekel was appointed as the video assistant referee. Spaniards Alejandro Hernández Hernández and Roberto Díaz Pérez del Palomar served as the other assistant VAR officials.


title: 2022 UEFA Europa League Final

text: The "home" team (for administrative purposes) was determined by an additional draw held after the quarter-final and semi-final draws.


title: Demographics of Poland

text: The demographics of Poland constitute all demographic features of the population of Poland, including population density, ethnicity, education level, the health of the populace, economic status, religious affiliations, and other aspects of the population.


title: Demographics of Poland

text: According to the 2011 census by the Polish Central Statistical Office (GUS), at the end of 2011, Poland had a population of 38,538,447, which translates into an average population density of 123 people/km (urban ; rural ). 61.5% of the Polish population lives in urban areas, a number which is slowly diminishing. Poland is the 37th most populous country in the world (8th in Europe, with 5.4% of the European population). The total population of Poland is almost stagnant (population growth was 0.08%). In 2018, the average life expectancy was 77.9 years; 74.1 for men and 82 for women. Population distribution is uneven.


title: Demographics of Poland

text: Ethnically, Poland used to be one of, if not the most multi-ethnic countries in Europe before World War Two and it hosted the largest Jewish community in Europe with Warsaw being home to the second largest community of people of Jewish origin after New York. After war, Poland became an ethnically homogenous country but this has been changing in recent years as large cities have been attracting migrant workers from Eastern Europe. For example, already in 2017 (i.e. before 2022 Russian Invasion of Ukraine), 10% of the population of Wroclaw (4th largest city in Poland) was Ukrainian; this jumped to 23% in a few months after 2022 war in Ukraine. In connection with the Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, as part of the Russian-Ukrainian war, by 2 August 2022, more than 10.4 million Ukrainian refugees left the territory of Ukraine, moving to the countries closest to the west of Ukraine, of which more than 5.1 million people fled to neighboring Poland. The number of Ukrainians refugees who continued living in Poland instead of moving to other countries is large and robust estimates using social security number registrations and geodata indicate that Ukrainian population in major Polish cities ranges between 15% - 25% of their total population .


title: Demographics of Poland

text: A number of censuses have assessed this data, including a national census in 2002, and a survey by the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights (HFHR), which confirmed there are numerous autochthonous ethnic groups in Poland. Estimates by INTEREG and "Eurominority" present a similar demographic picture of Poland, but they provide estimates only for the most numerous of these ethnic groups.


title: Demographics of Poland

text: Like many nations with falling birth rates and considerable emigration, Poland is ageing. In 1950, the median age was 25.8; today it is 41.7, and if current trends continue, it may be 51 by 2050. As the population is ageing, it also started to decline in the 1990s mainly due to low birth rates and continued emigration overseas, which impacted the local economy; however, this has started to change, with the Polish government encouraging citizens to return to Poland with increased wage incentives. The number of children born in Polish families (TFR of 1.31, down from 2 in 1990) is one of the lowest in Central Europe, but has started to increase in recent years.


title: Demographics of Poland

text: For many centuries, until the end of World War II in 1945, the population of Poland included many significant ethnic minorities.


title: Demographics of Poland

text: The population of Poland decreased by about six million due to the losses sustained during the Holocaust and German occupation during World War II (1939-1945), and Poland became one of the most ethnically homogeneous areas in Europe (next to the populations of Slovakia and the Czech Republic) as a result of radically altered borders and population expulsions at the end of and after the war. The post-war population movements were accompanied by waves of forced migrations ordered by the Soviet and Polish communist authorities, including the transfers of sizable Polish populations (1944–1946) from Poland's pre-war eastern territories, which were incorporated into the Soviet Union, the expulsion of ethnic Ukrainians to the USSR (1944–1946), Operation Vistula (1947), and the expulsion of Germans (1945–1950) from former German provinces awarded to Poland.


title: Demographics of Poland

text: According to GUS, about 38,325,000 people live in Poland; however, the same report states that the number of residents living in the country all the time is approximately 37,200,000, with 1,125,000 people living abroad for 6 to 7 months or more. It means that the permanent population may be correspondingly smaller.


title: Demographics of Poland

text: In the 21st century, many Poles migrated following Poland's accession to the European Union in 2004 and the opening of the EU's labor market, with approximately 2 million (primarily young) Poles taking up jobs abroad.


title: Demographics of Poland

text: The total fertility rate is the number of children born per woman. It is based on fairly good data for the entire period. Sources: Our World In Data and Gapminder Foundation.


title: Demographics of Poland

text: Immigration to Poland has only picked up recently after 2014, when unemployment started falling and more workforce was needed. Most migration is temporary, with workers arriving for 3 to 12 months and then returning home with the earned money. Some of them stay long enough to acquire permanent and long-term stay permits (table below), but the actual amount of immigrants in Poland is far higher.


title: Demographics of Poland

text: Most immigrants are hired using short-term work registrations, which are an easier way for employers to hire foreigners, than work permits, and only apply to workers from 6 former CIS countries. Between 2007 and 2017, they figured as a "Declaration of intention to entrust work to a foreigner", though it led to numerous abuses, since after submitting the statement, employers were not obliged to report whether the foreigner had come, and whether he had taken the job. Migrants would sometimes take up different work than previously indicated, use the permit to move to Western Europe, or not arrive at all. On 1 January 2018, it was replaced by "Declaration of entrusting work to a foreigner". Since then, employers are obliged to report the fact that the migrant has taken up employment. The change limits the comparability of the data from the previous periods.


title: Demographics of Poland

text: Since January 2018, employers may hire foreigners on a seasonal work permit, used specifically for agricultural and tourism-related work. In 2020, 60,8% of hired foreigners were women, 42% were under 35 years old, and most worked in Poland from 31 to 90 days. The vast majority of migrants come from Ukraine, as well as Belarus, Moldova, and Georgia, since the law doesn't require the employer to look for potential Polish workers before hiring a foreigner from said countries.


title: Flyleaf (band)

text: Flyleaf is an American rock band formed in Belton, Texas, in 2002. The band has charted on mainstream rock, Christian pop, and Christian metal genres. They performed around the US in 2003 before releasing their eponymous debut album, "Flyleaf", in 2005. The album went platinum after selling more than one million copies. Flyleaf released their second album, "Memento Mori", in 2009, which debuted and peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard charts.


title: Flyleaf (band)

text: Shortly before the release of their third album, "New Horizons" (2012), lead vocalist Lacey Sturm announced her departure. Kristen May subsequently became the new lead vocalist. May sang with the band until August 2016. After a period of inactivity for several years, Sturm returned to the band in November 2022.


title: Flyleaf (band)

text: Early on, Lacey Sturm performed with James Culpepper. Guitarists Jared Hartmann and Sameer Bhattacharya were later recruited. "Sameer and Jared are really experimental with melodies and pedals," said Sturm, "and we all had different influences that were all blending together with the same passionate and hopeful heart, and that brought out this beautiful feeling. It was magical." Bassist Pat Seals joined after leaving his previous band, The Grove.


title: Flyleaf (band)

text: As Passerby, the band released three EPs and played over 100 shows in Texas alone over the span of two years under the booking and promotion company Runt Entertainment. In 2004, Passerby played a showcase for RCA Records in New York City in hopes of getting signed. RCA passed on the band, but the president of Octone Records was very interested. They waited for two days in their van at a truck stop for a phone call about an Octone showcase. They were signed after the showcase, and on January 7, 2004, Octone Records' website announced their arrival to the label.


title: Flyleaf (band)

text: In March 2004, Passerby traveled to Seattle, Washington, to record an EP with producer Rick Parashar. Afterwards, they toured with Skillet, Breaking Benjamin, Staind, and 3 Doors Down to promote their self-titled EP. Due to legal reasons, they renamed themselves "Flyleaf" in June 2004. In October, the EP was released to stores (as "Flyleaf"), spawning their first official single and video for the EP version of "Breathe Today".


title: Flyleaf (band)

text: In 2005, the band recorded their first full-length album with Howard Benson. On October 4, 2005, the record was released under the title "Flyleaf". Appearances on the album include Dave Navarro of Jane's Addiction and Ryan White of Resident Hero. The first mainstream single from their debut album was "I'm So Sick", "Fully Alive" was the second, "All Around Me" was the third, and "Sorrow" was the fourth.


title: Flyleaf (band)

text: In the summer of 2006, the band played on the mainstage of the Family Values Tour 2006, and in late 2006, Flyleaf toured with Disturbed, Stone Sour and Nonpoint on the Music as a Weapon III Tour. The band issued an exclusive EP, which was sold at the tour called "Music as a Weapon EP" which features an acoustic version of "Fully Alive", and three previously unreleased tracks: "Much Like Falling", "Justice And Mercy", and "Christmas Song" ("Much Like Falling" and "Justice and Mercy" later appeared on Much Like Falling EP). A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the EP went to World Vision.


title: Flyleaf (band)

text: In 2007 Flyleaf toured with Three Days Grace and throughout Australia with the Soundwave festival, and also toured Europe with Stone Sour and Forever Never. In the spring of 2007, Flyleaf headlined their Justice & Mercy Tour which first featured Skillet and Dropping Daylight. Later on they did a second leg of the tour which featured Sick Puppies, Kill Hannah and Resident Hero. Flyleaf again joined the Family Values Tour in 2007. The music video for "I'm So Sick" appeared briefly in the 2007 film "Live Free or Die Hard". Also a remix of the song "I'm So Sick" is on the Soundtrack to the movie "". "Perfect" was also released as a single in late 2007 to Christian radio stations. Released on November 5, 2007, "The Sims 2" expansion pack "" featured the band's song "Cassie" recorded in Simlish.


title: Flyleaf (band)

text: Flyleaf also released a song entitled "Tina" which was the first song that they debuted in the release of "Guitar Hero 3" as part of the Companion Disk Set. Also, the song "I'm So Sick" appears in "Rock Band".


title: Flyleaf (band)

text: On October 30, Flyleaf also released a digital EP titled Much Like Falling EP. The songs included on this EP were "Much Like Falling", an acoustic version of "Supernatural", the limited release song "Tina", and The EP is available on iTunes along with the expanded edition of their debut album.


title: Flyleaf (band)

text: On April 26, 2008, the band released their fourth video, "Sorrow", from their debut album on MTV2. The band toured with Seether in late spring but had to cancel five shows due to a problem with Sturm's voice. The members of Flyleaf took the fall off to write new music, hoping to begin recording by January.


title: Flyleaf (band)

text: Flyleaf also contributed a cover of the song, "What's This?" from "The Nightmare Before Christmas" soundtrack for its cover album, "Nightmare Revisited".


title: Flyleaf (band)

text: When the band finished recording their second album, The band had selected 14 songs out of the 30 already written. Some of these songs, such as "Again", "Have We Lost", and "Beautiful Bride" have been performed live. The band reunited with producer Howard Benson and enlisted the mixing services of Chris Lord-Alge It was released on November 10, 2009. The album has been titled "Memento Mori". It features songs such as "Beautiful Bride", "Arise", "Missing", "Again" and "Set Apart This Dream" which was inspired by the Christian book "Wild at Heart". Flyleaf has debuted an additional two songs live during a small acoustic tour the band did in Afghanistan for United States Armed Forces called "Chasm" and "Circle".


title: Flyleaf (band)

text: As they published on their MySpace page, Flyleaf's first single "Again" was released on iTunes and also played on the radio. Meiert Avis directed the single's music video titled "Again".


title: Flyleaf (band)

text: The group, starting in Seattle, Washington, on September 28, 2009, held VIP listening parties throughout the country inviting fans to be the first to hear a selection of songs from the new record and view brand new music videos before they aired nationwide. By partnering with Eventful, fans were given the opportunity to demand that their city get routed into the "Road to Memento Mori" using Eventful's "Demand It!" service.


title: Flyleaf (band)

text: Based on overwhelming demand there were over 10 events. Fans saw Sturm, Sameer Bhattacharya, and Jared Hartmann, who made special appearances at these intimate gatherings across the country.


title: Flyleaf (band)

text: Flyleaf's other video, "Beautiful Bride," was shot in early August 2009 by director Don Tyler. The video was originally released at the "Memento Mori" listening events, but was later featured on Yahoo! the day "Memento Mori" came out. The video features James' sister/Sameer's wife, April, as the bride and Joshua Sturm, Lacey's husband, as the groom. Like "Again," this video features Pat's artwork throughout the video. Future singles are set to include "Chasm" for rock stations and "Missing" for alternative.


title: Flyleaf (band)

text: Flyleaf toured throughout the United States with Breaking Benjamin and Three Days Grace from January to March 2010. They embarked on a headlining tour called the "Unite & Fight Tour" with 10 Years and Fair to Midland. The tour began on April 28, 2010, and ended on June 6, 2010. June 11, 2010, the group has acted on MUZ TV Award 2010 (Премия МУЗ-ТВ) in Russia with songs: "I'm So Sick", "Again" and a song: "All Around Me". They are one of many bands that performed at Download Festival on June 12, 2010. The band encouraged fans to donate to stop human trafficking in other countries.


title: Flyleaf (band)

text: The band was scheduled to continue with the second leg of the "Unite & Fight" tour from September 10, 2010, to October 23, 2010, with Story of the Year, and performed at various festivals through the end of the year. They also released an animated music video for "Chasm" on September 22, which was directed/animated/illustrated by Giles Timms. At the end of the Unite and Fight tour in early November, Lacey collaborated with band Apocalyptica on the song "Broken Pieces", as well as with Australian singer Orianthi in her new song "Courage". Soon after they released "Arise" as the next single from "Memento Mori".


title: Flyleaf (band)

text: On November 6, 2010, the band performed at Rock the Hood, a festival at Fort Hood in memory of all the soldiers who have died, especially the 13 who died at the November 2009 shooting.


title: Flyleaf (band)

text: On November 15, 2010, Lacey shared via Facebook that she and her husband, Joshua, were expecting a baby boy in early 2011.


title: Flyleaf (band)

text: On December 7, 2010, Flyleaf released an EP titled "Remember to Live", then released a cover of the John Mark McMillan song "How He Loves" on December 21, 2010.


title: Flyleaf (band)

text: On January 22, 2011, Hartmann announced that he and Culpepper were building a recording studio and preparing to record demos for their next album. In February 2011, the band started pre-production for their next album at Treelady Studios in Pittsburgh, PA.


title: Flyleaf (band)

text: On June 1, 2012, the band confirmed via Twitter that the album and first single would be called "New Horizons". The single premiered on Windsor, Ontario's 89X Radio on August 1, 2012, and released through iTunes on August 21, 2012.


title: Flyleaf (band)

text: On September 4, 2012, Lacey Sturm's birthday, Flyleaf released the official video for "New Horizons" on Fuse. The video included a picture in the background as a tribute to Rich Caldwell and footage of Lacey and Joshua Sturm's son, Joshua "Jack" Sturm.


title: Flyleaf (band)

text: Flyleaf also released an additional single, entitled "Call You Out", on September 25, 2012. The album was released on October 30, 2012.


title: Flyleaf (band)

text: On October 22, 2012, the band announced that Lacey Sturm was stepping down as the band's lead vocalist. In a statement written by Pat Seals, Kristen May, formerly of Vedera, was announced as Sturm's replacement. Sturm expressed that with the birth of her son, Jack, and the death of one of the band's lead audio engineers, Rich Caldwell, that she knew the true meaning of "Memento Mori" (the title of their second full-length album).


title: Flyleaf (band)

text: Guitarist Sameer Bhattacharya stated in an interview that they would write new music with their new lead vocalist Kristen May.


title: Flyleaf (band)

text: Flyleaf released a new single on June 18, 2013, with May on vocals, "Something Better" featuring P.O.D. front man Sonny Sandoval. A new EP, "Who We Are", was released on July 9, 2013.


title: Flyleaf (band)

text: Flyleaf announced that a new album was in the works for a 2014 release and released a teaser video on PledgeMusic.com. The new album was fully funded on February 2, 2014. On March 29, they confirmed Don Gilmore as the producer for their upcoming album.


title: Flyleaf (band)

text: On May 20, 2014, Flyleaf announced that they were now signed to Loud & Proud Records and would be releasing their album in early fall. The first single will be released in July and tour dates will be announced after that.


title: Flyleaf (band)

text: "Set Me on Fire", the lead single from the upcoming album, "Between the Stars", premiered on July 1 through "Revolver". The album was released on September 16, 2014.


title: Flyleaf (band)

text: The band released the album cover via a puzzle game starting on July 21, 2014. and the track list the following day.


title: Flyleaf (band)

text: "Between the Stars" is also the band's first release from their new home, label Loud & Proud Records.


title: Flyleaf (band)

text: On August 15, 2016, lead vocalist Kristen May announced her departure from the band, citing a growing desire to stay at home with her family and that she never really felt as if she was part of the band.


title: Flyleaf (band)

text: Following May's departure, the band went on hiatus. The remaining members went on to pursue other interests. Jared, along with his wife, Kat formed a musical duo called Kat&Jared in 2017. Bhattacharya would tour with P.O.D. as their keyboardist from 2016 until 2018. He and Seals, along with P.O.D. drummer Wuv Bernardo formed a musical project called Belle and the Dragon, they released their debut album "Birthrights" in 2020.


title: Flyleaf (band)

text: Sometime in 2021, the band's social media accounts have been reactivated after being inactive since their hiatus. In November 2022, the band began teasing their return including band photos with their original lead singer Lacey Sturm. The band's profile pictures on their social media accounts would later change and renamed as "Flyleaf With Lacey Sturm" on November 7, 2022.


title: Flyleaf (band)

text: Flyleaf has identified under various genres of rock music, including alternative metal, hard rock, alternative rock, post-grunge, nu metal, heavy metal, and post-hardcore. Because of the many religious references in Flyleaf's music, they are also considered to be a Christian rock band. Despite the numerous genres they have been labeled as, May considers themselves to be simply alternative rock, adding "I think the reason we get put in different genres is because there are so many different influences in the songwriting."


title: Flyleaf (band)

text: Lead vocalist Lacey Sturm is an evangelical Christian. While faith has influenced the band's music, Sturm said that she does not believe that necessarily makes Flyleaf strictly a Christian band. The band says they are Christians who play in a rock band, and their faith is heard within their music. "We all share the same faith."


title: Flyleaf (band)

text: In November 2006, Flyleaf performed a free concert at Los Angeles Pierce College for a Christian group called The Revolt, which was a three-day event. The band performed a half-hour set Thursday night. It was The Revolt's opening night at Pierce College and the first time the campus has been used as an outdoor music venue.


title: Flyleaf (band)

text: In a May 2010 interview, Sturm was asked how it felt to be in a Christian rock band and play in Las Vegas: Well, you know what? I don't know what you mean by a "Christian rock band." It's hard to say that because people all have a different definition of what that means. If it means that we're Christians, then yeah, we're Christians, but if a plumber's a Christian, does that make him a "Christian plumber?" I mean we're not playing for Christians. We're just playing honestly and that's going to come out.


title: Flyleaf (band)

text: Former lead vocalist May has felt the band's fans believe she's "not Christian enough" despite professing to be a Christian. She also hopes that people don't discount the band by using the "Christian" label.


title: Flyleaf (band)

text: Although the band relies on themes transcending many faiths and ways of life, they insist being a Christian will always be a part of them and influence their writing.


title: Philadelphia Union

text: The Philadelphia Union are an American professional soccer club based in Chester, Pennsylvania. The Union compete in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Eastern Conference. Founded on February 28, 2008, the club began playing in 2010 as an expansion team. The club's home stadium is Subaru Park, a soccer-specific stadium located in Chester, Pennsylvania on the banks of the Delaware River.


title: Philadelphia Union

text: The Union are currently owned by Keystone Sports & Entertainment, with Jay Sugarman serving as majority owner and chairman of the club. Professional basketball player Kevin Durant also serves as a minority owner. The club's current head coach is Jim Curtin. Curtin has been coaching the Union since 2014. The Union finished as runners-up in the 2014, 2015 and 2018 U.S. Open Cup tournaments. The club lost to Seattle Sounders FC 3–1 in extra time in 2014, and to Sporting Kansas City 6–7 on penalties after a 1–1 draw in the 2015 edition. They lost 3–0 to the Houston Dynamo in the final of the 2018 edition. In 2020, Philadelphia secured the Supporters' Shield, winning the first title in the club's history, and in 2022, they played in their first MLS Cup Final.


title: Philadelphia Union

text: Despite being one of the ten largest metropolitan areas in the country and a top-five media market, the Philadelphia area was not represented when Major League Soccer kicked off in 1996. Philadelphia was previously represented by the Philadelphia Atoms (1973–76) and Philadelphia Fury (1978–80) in the FIFA-backed, major professional North American Soccer League (NASL). The Atoms won the Soccer Bowl in their inaugural 1973 season. Philadelphia goalkeeper and Ridley Park, Pennsylvania native Bob Rigby became the first soccer player to be featured on the cover of "Sports Illustrated" following the club's championship. The Atoms folded after the 1976 season, having been bought by Mexican owners whose plans to move the team to San Antonio were not approved by the league. The Atoms and the Fury both played at Veterans Stadium, though the Atoms played their final season in Philadelphia at Franklin Field. The NASL folded in 1984, leaving the United States without a top-level soccer league until Major League Soccer (MLS) began play in 1996.


title: Philadelphia Union

text: The first effort to bring professional soccer back to the Delaware Valley commenced in 2001, when a group of investors attempted to bring an MLS franchise to Trenton, New Jersey. The centerpiece of their efforts was a $31 million soccer-specific stadium to be built across the street from the CURE Insurance Arena and with access to the under-construction NJ Transit River Line. "Union FC" was the intended name for the Trenton MLS team if it came to fruition. However, the MetroStars (now the New York Red Bulls) held the right to block a franchise in Trenton, as it would infringe on their 75-mile competition-free zone.


title: Philadelphia Union

text: Five years later, plans were in place to construct a 20,000-capacity stadium on the campus of Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey. The stadium would serve as the home field for both an MLS expansion club and Rowan's football team. Ultimately, $100 million in state bonds to fund the stadium and various other improvements on the Rowan campus were dropped by New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine. Shortly after the Rowan proposal fell through, Keystone Sports & Entertainment (the group that would eventually own the Union) looked at a site underneath the Commodore Barry Bridge in Chester to develop a soccer-specific stadium.


title: Philadelphia Union

text: In 2007, the Sons of Ben supporter group formed to raise interest toward a Major League Soccer team in Philadelphia. They are credited with demonstrating to MLS an established fan base in the market.


title: Philadelphia Union

text: Major League Soccer added Philadelphia as its sixteenth team on February 28, 2008. The finalization of the club was the result of a $47 million package approved by Delaware County politicians and Pennsylvania governor, Ed Rendell, that included the cost of Subaru Park and a major urban renewal project.


title: Philadelphia Union

text: In December 2009, the Union added the Reading Rage youth soccer organization as their official minor league affiliate in the USL Premier Development League. As a result, the Rage were rebranded as "Reading United AC" with a new logo and colors for the 2010 PDL season. In the 2010 MLS SuperDraft, the Union selected forward Danny Mwanga from Oregon State University as the number one pick, as well as sixth and seventh picks Amobi Okugo from UCLA and Jack McInerney from the U.S. U-17 National Team in the first round. In March 2010, the Union signed an affiliation agreement with the Harrisburg City Islanders of the United Soccer League. And in January 2012, the Union formed their first international partnership with Deportivo Saprissa of the Costa Rican Primera División.


title: Philadelphia Union

text: The Union played their inaugural game on March 25, 2010, in which they lost 2–0 to Seattle Sounders FC at Qwest Field. Sébastien Le Toux became the first player to score a goal for Philadelphia in their home opener on April 10, 2010, a 3–2 win over D.C. United at Lincoln Financial Field. The team again played Seattle Sounders FC for the first match at Subaru Park on June 27, 2010. Le Toux scored the Union's initial goal at the venue from a penalty kick, which was instrumental to their 3–1 victory. All 12,000 season ticket packages for 2010 were sold prior to this opener. At the end of the inaugural season the Union finished 7th in the Eastern Conference and 14th overall in the league with a record of 8–15–7 (W-L-T).


title: Philadelphia Union

text: The Union picked up three players in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft, most notably Zac MacMath, who was the fifth overall draft pick. On January 11, 2011, the Union acquired shirt sponsor Bimbo Bakeries USA. On January 20, Philadelphia introduced two new players: Colombians Faryd Mondragón (GK) and Carlos Valdés (D). Mondragón had recently come from playing with 1. FC Köln in the German Bundesliga, and has at least 50 caps with the Colombian national team. Valdés came from Independiente Santa Fe in the Colombian First Division, where he served as captain before coming to Philadelphia. The Union also signed during the summer transfer window US International Freddy Adu.


title: Philadelphia Union

text: The team made a complete turnaround in the 2011 season, finishing 3rd in the Eastern Conference and 8th overall in the league with a record of 11–8–15 (W-L-T) scoring 44 goals and allowing 36. This marked the first time the Philadelphia Union qualified for the MLS Cup Playoffs. The Union had a stellar start of the season that saw them win 4 and only lost 1 of their first six league games. In the 2011 MLS Cup Playoffs the Union lost the first leg of the MLS Eastern Conference semi-finals 2–1 at home on October 30, 2011, with the 1st playoff Union goal coming from Sebastien Le Toux. The Union then lost the 2nd leg 1–0 on November 3, 2011, against the future MLS Cup finalist Houston Dynamo.


title: Philadelphia Union

text: John Hackworth became the Unions' interim coach on June 13, 2012, receiving the role permanently on August 30, 2012. The Union finished their third season in eighth place in the Eastern Conference and fifteenth in MLS overall, with a record of 10–18–6 (W-L-T), scoring 37 goals and allowing 45. Antoine Hoppenot, who was selected in the third round of the 2012 Supplemental Draft, netted four goals within 817 minutes of play. Subaru Park, then known as PPL Park, was the site of the 2012 MLS All-Star Game in which the MLS All-Stars defeated Chelsea F.C., 3–2. The Union also made it to the semifinals of the 2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup after defeating the Rochester Rhinos 3–0 in the third round and winning against D.C. United on the road 2–1, after extra time, in the fourth round. They subsequently defeated the Harrisburg City Islanders, their main affiliate at the time, 5–2 in the quarterfinals.


title: Philadelphia Union

text: The Union traded allocation money in order to take the first overall pick, which was used on goalkeeper and Jamaican international Andre Blake. They then traded down multiple times in order to select Coastal Carolina University midfielder Pedro Ribeiro. Other new, preseason acquisitions included Maurice Edu, French midfielder Vincent Nogueira, Argentinian midfielder Cristian Maidana, and former MLS Rookie of the Year defender Austin Berry. Despite these additions, the Union still languished in mediocrity, winning just two of their first 14 games, posting a record of 2–7–5 (W-L-T). On April 20, 2014, the Union traded forward Jack McInerney to the Montreal Impact for winger Andrew Wenger, a Lancaster, Pennsylvania native. Hackworth's coaching career with the Union ended on June 10, 2014.


title: Philadelphia Union

text: Although failing to make the playoffs, the Union reached the 2014 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup finals for the first time in the club's history. During the offseason, the club traded for forward C. J. Sapong from Sporting Kansas City. They also traded long time defensive midfielder Amobi Okugo to Orlando City SC. Other new preseason acquisitions included FC Nantes loanee Fernando Aristeguieta, S.L. Benfica loanee Steven Vitória, and free agent Cameroonian 18-year-old midfielder Eric Ayuk. During the 2015 MLS SuperDraft the Union drafted forward Dzenan Catic from Bosnia-Herzegovina, midfielder Eric Bird, and defender Raymond Lee. During the expansion draft, Orlando City SC drafted Philadelphia midfielder Pedro Ribeiro. Despite all the offseason transactions, the Union only registered one win in their first ten league games with a record of 1–6–3 (W-L-T).


title: Philadelphia Union

text: During the 2015 summer transfer window, the Union traded longtime defender Sheanon Williams to the Houston Dynamo for allocation money, which they used to sign Swiss midfielder Tranquillo Barnetta on July 29, 2015. The club achieved a successful run in the 2015 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, earning a second consecutive appearance in the Open Cup final. This match took place against Sporting Kansas City, at Subaru Park on September 30, 2015.


title: Philadelphia Union

text: In 2016, the Union would acquire Chris Pontius from D.C. United, Surinames midfielder Roland Alberg, and Brazilian right midfielder Ilsinho. They would also acquire U.S. international Alejandro Bedoya in the summer transfer window. The Union would also add key players from the 2016 MLS SuperDraft including Josh Yaro, Keegan Rosenberry, and Fabian Herbers. The 2016 season saw success from Goalkeeper Andre Blake who later would win the 2016 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Award. The Union were in constant playoff contention, however went 0–5–2(W-L-T) in the final 7 matches of the regular season. The Union would still reach the playoffs for only the 2nd time in team history, beating out New England Revolution on goal differential. The Union were beaten 3–1 in the Knockout round of the 2016 MLS Cup Playoffs by Toronto FC.


title: Philadelphia Union

text: The Union were unable to build on their 2016 success, finishing with the same record but still missing the playoffs in 2017. Despite failing to make the playoffs, Curtin was announced to retain his head coach position for the 2018 season.


title: Philadelphia Union

text: Ahead of the 2019 season, Union Sporting Director, Ernst Tanner, announced that Curtin would be retained for the upcoming season on a one-year extension. By July of that season, the Union reach first place in the Eastern Conference and hitting the club's best start to a season. This success lead to the club announcing Curtin signed a two-year contract extension, to remain head coach through the 2021 season.


title: Philadelphia Union

text: The 2020 season was the most successful to date for the Union. Despite disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Union reached the semi-final of the MLS is Back Tournament and went on to win their first trophy finishing top of the league standings and earning the 2020 Supporters' Shield. The team's performance over the season earned Curtin his first Sigi Schmid Coach of the Year Award. Winning the Supporter's Shield earned the Union their debut in the CONCACAF Champions League, where the Union earned their first international win against Deportivo Saprissa; a victory that marked Curtin's 100th win as head coach of the club.


title: Philadelphia Union

text: Within two days prior to the Union's first ever conference final match in team history, it was reported that 11 players, including six starters had to undergo the league's COVID-19 protocol. Philadelphia lost to eventual champions New York City FC 2–1. It was later stated that it would've been impossible to delay the game, as the players would not have been available for the MLS Cup Final.


title: Philadelphia Union

text: On July 8, 2022, the Philadelphia Union defeated D.C. United 7–0, setting a club record and tying the MLS record for biggest goal differential win. The overall season proved to be special, as Philadelphia topped the Eastern table with 67 points—equal with Supporters' Shield winners Los Angeles FC (and with better goal differential but lost out due to MLS' tiebreaker of total wins). Philadelphia beat FC Cincinnati in the conference semifinals, 1–0, on a Leon Flach goal, and then defeated defending champions New York City FC 3–1 in the conference finals to advance to their first-ever MLS Cup final.


title: Philadelphia Union

text: In MLS Cup, the Union erased 1−0 and 2−1 deficits and center back Jack Elliott scored twice in the match, including late in extra time. Ultimately LAFC came back to force penalties and won the Cup in a penalty shoot-out.


title: Philadelphia Union

text: On May 11, 2009, the Philadelphia Union's name, crest, and colors were officially announced during a ceremony held at Philadelphia City Hall. "Union" alludes to the union of the Thirteen Colonies, of which Philadelphia was the first capital as well as the area's historic role with the labor movement. The name was chosen following a fan poll held between January 19, 2009, and February 6, 2009; the other three options were AC Philadelphia, SC Philadelphia, and Philadelphia City.


title: Philadelphia Union

text: The Union's colors are navy blue and gold, representing the primary colors of the Continental Army's uniforms during the American Revolutionary War. The team's crest is circular, symbolizing unity. Its thirteen gold stars represent the original Thirteen Colonies, while the shield's contour derives from the Philadelphia coat of arms. The rattlesnake pays homage to the "Join, or Die" political cartoon by Benjamin Franklin that was featured in the 1754 "Pennsylvania Gazette", and is also reminiscent of the Gadsden flag, another Revolutionary icon. The light blue in the middle of the crest is a tribute to the Sons of Ben, and is further derived from the civic flag of Philadelphia. Coincidentally, the navy blue, gold, and light blue colors of the Union are also the predominant colors in the state flags of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. The team's secondary logo is a simplified version of the aforementioned design consisting of the blue shield with the rattlesnake, augmented with a gold border and a ribbon bearing the team's official motto: "jungite aut perite", a Latin translation of the phrase "join or die", which was also used in the 1754 Benjamin Franklin political cartoon mentioned above. The Philadelphia Union's name and colors also allude to the state's important role during the Civil War.


title: Philadelphia Union

text: In February 2013, the team unveiled a third uniform that commemorated Bethlehem Steel F.C., one of the most successful early American soccer clubs. The kit was primarily black with white trim, featuring a sublimated Union emblem, and a Bethlehem Steel F.C. jock tag.


title: Philadelphia Union

text: The Union play most of their games at Subaru Park (formerly Talen Energy Stadium, and prior to that PPL Park), an 18,500-seat soccer-specific stadium located at the southwesterly corner of the Commodore Barry Bridge (U.S. Route 322). The structure was designed by Rossetti Architects and the ICON Venue Group, with the actual construction contracted to the Ardmore-based T.N. Ward Company. Subaru Park's design allows clear views of the Delaware River for approximately sixty percent of its spectators, and is the centerpiece of Chester's urban renewal process. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) worked with the city of Chester to ensure that construction activities did not impact the nearby parking facility which had been the site of the Wade Dump, a previously polluted Superfund site. The Union train at YSC Sports in Wayne, a community located 17 miles north of Chester.


title: Philadelphia Union

text: In addition to Subaru Park, the Union also plays select games at Lincoln Financial Field, the home stadium of the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles and the NCAA's Temple University Owls football team. Prior to the completion of the then PPL Park, the Union played their home opener at Lincoln Financial Field on April 10, 2010, against D.C. United as well as their May 15 match against FC Dallas. Originally just scheduled to play only the home opener at Lincoln Financial Field, the second game was played there due to construction delays at Subaru Park. Lincoln Financial Field remains the team's secondary home, for matches with anticipated high attendances, such as a friendly against Manchester United, during their 2010 tour of North America. For the home opener, the team limited ticket sales to the lower bowl and club sections, totaling about 37,500 seats. On June 27, the Union officially opened their home with a 3–2 win over Seattle Sounders FC. Lincoln Financial Field also hosts international friendlies involving teams other than the Union; the most recent being Real Madrid against the Scottish Premier League's Celtic FC in August 2012. Celtic FC met with the Union in their first international friendly in July 2010.


title: Philadelphia Union

text: The Philadelphia Union training fields are right outside Subaru Park; Chester, Pennsylvania. The training complex features 2 grass fields that were constructed in fall 2014. Prior to having dedicated training fields, the Union was practicing at a nearby municipal park called Chester Park or directly at Subaru Park.


title: Philadelphia Union

text: In 2016, the Philadelphia Union opened a 16,500 square foot training facility and offices built in the former machine shop of the Chester Waterside Station of the Philadelphia Electric Company.


title: Philadelphia Union

text: On August 19, 2015, the team announced that they would operate a reserve team in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania that will compete in the United Soccer League (USL) starting in 2016 with matches being played at Lehigh University's Goodman Stadium. As a part of the announcement, the Union agreed to dissolve their partnership with the Harrisburg City Islanders.


title: Philadelphia Union

text: On October 27, 2015, Bethlehem Steel FC's name, crest, and colors were officially announced during a ceremony held at the ArtsQuest at SteelStacks. "Steel FC" alludes to the historical Bethlehem Steel F.C. soccer club, which played from 1907 to 1930. The name was chosen following a fan poll held between September 8, 2015, and September 30, 2015. In December 2019, the Union announced that the Bethlehem Steel identity would be retired ahead of the 2020 season and the club would become known as Philadelphia Union II. On December 6, 2021, the Union II announced the team would join the newly established MLS Next Pro.


title: Philadelphia Union

text: The Philadelphia Union operates an elite youth Academy training and competition program starting with the Under-9 age group and running through Under-17, after which players graduate to Union II, the Philadelphia Union's second team.


title: Philadelphia Union

text: As for competition, the Union participates in MLS Next starting with the Under-13 age group. MLS Next is an elite North American youth soccer league organized, managed, and controlled by Major League Soccer. The league was launched in 2020. The Union's younger age groups from Under-9 through Under-12 participate in various regional leagues and tournaments, often playing one year up. The Union Academy teams train and compete in Wayne, Pennsylvania, as well as in Chester, Pennsylvania, home of Philadelphia Union's first team organization.


title: Philadelphia Union

text: While the Union's competition rosters in MLS Next are composed of boys teams representing age groups Under-13 through Under-17, the Union Academy is unusual in that with many of its young players are competing with and even starting for the Union's USL Championship team, Union II. Widely considered one of the top youth academies affiliated with an MLS club, the Union Academy has seen success in tournaments both domestic and international.


title: Philadelphia Union

text: The Union Academy sources talent internally through the Union Junior Academy, as well as externally through well-regarded local area programs such as FC Delco, Real Jersey FC, and The SWAG. Families have even been known to relocate to Pennsylvania to take advantage of the many benefits provided through the Union Academy such as admittance to the YSC Academy, a world class soccer training and college preparatory school that operates in an alliance with the Union Academy.


title: Philadelphia Union

text: The Philadelphia Union Academy has produced numerous players for the Philadelphia Union, Union II, elite NCAA programs, and professional clubs across the world.


title: Philadelphia Union

text: Between 70 and 80 of the Philadelphia Union Academy's players attend private school YSC Academy which was founded by Philadelphia Union investor Richie Graham in September 2013 as an innovative, first-of its-kind, soccer-specific school for elite soccer players from grades 6 through 12. The school has campuses in Wayne, Pennsylvania and at the Union's training complex in Chester, Pennsylvania and is designed for student-athletes who aspire to play professional-level soccer. YSC Academy's first graduating class was in 2015. A substantial portion of the school's graduates have gone on to play professionally for the Philadelphia Union and other teams, with the balance going to college.


title: Philadelphia Union

text: Grassroots support was instrumental to the founding of the Philadelphia Union and the construction of Subaru Park. This backing came in the form of a supporters group known as the Sons of Ben, which was founded in January 2007. The Sons of Ben petitioned Major League Soccer to expand to the Philadelphia market until the official expansion announcement was made in January 2008. Named for Founding Father and Philadelphia icon, Benjamin Franklin, the group was included in the expansion press conference, singing their anthem, "I'm Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover", and closing the event by presenting scarves to the ownership group. They were also present on May 11, 2009, for the naming ceremony at City Hall.


title: Philadelphia Union

text: While the Sons of Ben are the predominant and official supporters group, smaller supporters groups also exist. These include the Tammany Saints (sections 101 and 133), the IllegitimateS (section 133), the Corner Creeps (section 134), the Bridge Crew (sections 120–121), La Union Latina (section 114), The Keystone State Ultras (section 140), and the Chester Soccer Casuals (section 140).


title: Philadelphia Union

text: The Philadelphia Union's primary rival is DC United. These rivalries exist primarily because of geographical proximity and the traditional animosities between the metropolitan areas of Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. in other professional sports leagues. The Union has a smaller rivalry with the New York Red Bulls due primarily to geographical proximity. Harrison, New Jersey, where the Red Bulls play, is roughly a 90-mile drive from Center City, Philadelphia. The Union also have a bit of a rivalry with Seattle Sounders FC despite the between Philadelphia and Seattle. The cross-country feud started when the Philadelphia Union played its inaugural MLS game in Seattle. It continued when Subaru Park's first-ever home game pitted the club against Seattle. The rivalry culminated as they were regularly compared to the 2009 expansion Sounders FC during their inaugural 2010 season as noted by defender Danny Califf, "Last year there was all this measuring of us against Seattle in their inaugural year, so maybe it created a bit more of a rivalry. They're a good team coming in here, and after the start they had they'd really like to take it to us."


title: Philadelphia Union

text: In recent years, the Union have also developed a rivalry with New York City FC. Though early fixtures between the two clubs were relatively routine, the rivalry began to develop after New York City controversially eliminated the Union in the 2021 Eastern Conference Final after the latter lost several players due to MLS's COVID-19 protocols. They would avenge the loss the next year, defeating NYCFC 3–1 in the same round to advance to their first MLS Cup final.


title: Philadelphia Union

text: "Matches played include all league, cup and playoff games. The win percentage is calculated from the total of games. Note Open Cup matches decided by penalty kicks are officially recorded as draws"


title: Philadelphia Union

text: On January 11, 2011, the Philadelphia Union announced a four-year agreement with Bimbo Bakeries USA to be its official jersey sponsor. The company's U.S. headquarters is located in the Philadelphia suburb of Horsham, thus providing local and global exposure to the team. It was also announced that Bimbo will be the official bread and baked goods partner of both the Union and Major League Soccer, as well as an overall league sponsor.


title: Philadelphia Union

text: Bimbo and the Union agreed in 2014 to renew their sponsorship arrangement for five years at an annual value of $2.3 million.


title: Philadelphia Union

text: On November 26, 2014, the Union announced the Milton, Delaware-based Dogfish Head Brewery as their official beer sponsor. The deal included the establishment of a beer garden at Subaru Park.


title: Philadelphia Union

text: As of the 2018 season, WPHL-TV and WPVI-TV are the main English-language television broadcasters for Union matches not carried by Major League Soccer's national media partners, with JP Dellacamera on play-by-play. The broadcasts are produced by WPVI, and part of the package is aired by the station. Prior to the 2018 season, CSN Philadelphia (now NBC Sports Philadelphia) produced the games for 6ABC, removing the NBC peacock from its graphics.


title: Philadelphia Union

text: During the 2012 MLS season, seventeen select home and road matches were broadcast on radio by WIP. The Union also collaborated with WIP on a weekly hour-long soccer show. Beginning with the MLS is Back Tournament in July 2020, the Union moved to WDAS.


title: Philadelphia Union

text: This list includes all those who have managed the club since 2010, when the club joined Major League Soccer for the first time, whether coaching on a full-time or interim basis. Games played include all League, Cup, Playoff, and the win percentage is calculated from the total of games.


title: Philadelphia Union

text: Keystone Sports & Entertainment (S&E) owns the Philadelphia Union and Bethlehem Steel FC. Jay Sugarman, (CEO) of iStar Financial, leads this group including Christopher F. Buccini, Robert Buccini, and David B. Pollin – co-founders of the Buccini/Pollin Group; Joseph J. Greco, chairman of the RevSpring technology company and president of Premier Management Services; and David Seltzer, principal and co-founder of the Mercator financial advisors. Nick Sakiewicz was the former CEO and investor in Keystone S&E until October 3, 2015, when Sugarman purchased his shares in the club and discontinued his involvement. His termination was primarily due to his strained relationship with the Union's fanbase, which blamed Sakiewicz for the team's mediocre record.


title: Philadelphia Union

text: On June 15, 2020, it was announced that basketball player Kevin Durant had become an investor and community partner for the club, purchasing five percent of the club with potentially another five percent in the near future.


title: Philadelphia Union

text: This is a partial list of the last five seasons completed by the Union. For the full season-by-season history, see List of Philadelphia Union seasons.


title: Philadelphia Union

text: "Stats only include MLS regular season matches. These do not include domestic cup, international, or playoff matches. "