Here’s a question for all those die-hard local soccer zealots known as the Sons of Ben?

Does your love of futbol trump your feelings for the Eagles?

Let me try to explain.

Major League Soccer holds what amounts to its Super Bowl this weekend.
Of course, the newest team in the MLS, the Philadelphia Union – who will play their home games in Chester – make their league debut next spring.
The Sons of Ben is the local booster group that pushed to bring a pro soccer team to the region for years. In other words, it’s a huge weekend for soccer buffs, here and across the country.

The battle for the MLS Cup pits the glitzy Los Angeles Galaxy and their superstar David Beckham vs. Real Salt Lake. The game will be played Sunday in Seattle and televised on ESPN.

At 8:30 p.m.

Locally, there’s another event that might be getting a little attention.
The Eagles play the Chicago Bears.

On a Sunday night game, beginning at 8:30.

Here’s my question: How many people do you think will be tuned in to the MLS Cup?

How many sports bars will have their big-screens beaming the images of the L.A. Galaxy vs. Real Salt Lake? Maybe even one screen?

I’ll also be interested to see what kind of ratings ESPN gets here in Philly for the MLS Cup. I am guessing they will be tiny.

That’s not a knock on the Sons of Ben. In fact, I don’t have any doubt that they are already planning their “Super Bowl” parties.

Are there any viewing parties set for here in Delco?

Drop me an e-mail at editor@delcotimes.com and maybe we’ll drop by. In the meantime, we’ll sample opinions in the county as to who will be watching what on Sunday night.

I already know the answer to that question.

Here’s part of the challenge the Union – and in fact MLS – faces in pushing to break into mainstream sports.

How many people do you think even know who is playing in the MLS Cup Sunday night?

Hopefully, one day the Union will be sitting in that perch, and we won’t have to ask this kind of question any more.