Ryan Arcidiacono grew up a big Philly sports fan but had never been to a Union game before Saturday.
It looks like he enjoyed his first one.
Before the game, Arcidiacono was honored along with Villanova teammates Josh Hart, Kris Jenkins and Phil Booth -- and their coveted NCAA championship trophy -- as their well-deserved victory tour continues.
[watch video of Arcidiacono at the Union game here]
He then spent some time banging the drums with the Sons of Ben and watched as the Union surged to first place in the Eastern Conference with a big 2-0 win over David Villa and New York City FC.
And during halftime, he gave a good interview about the crowd at Talen Energy Stadium (formerly known as PPL Park), saying: "Even though we played in front of 70,000 people [in the Final Four] in Houston, this is just as loud, if not louder."
This is not an uncommon sentiment. First-timers are usually surprised by the atmosphere at the stadium -- one reason why there's still room for the Union's popularity to grow within the fabric of Philly sports.
Of course, Arcidiacono got to hear more noise than most as he spent part of the game right in the middle of the Sons of Ben (he said he wanted to return to another game just to be in that section again):
When the National Champs bang your drum #Villanova #MLS #Doop #SonsofBen @MLS, @SonsofBen, @NovaAthletics https://t.co/t4qd8rxNJK
- Jillian Sakovits (@JillianSakovits) April 23, 2016
As wowed as he was, though, it was nothing compared to the young fans that were excited to see him and the other 'Nova stars. Check out the priceless reaction of one kid when he saw the point guard of the 2016 national champs:
This kid seeing @RyArch15 in person gives you chills. #sportsrule @PhilaUnion pic.twitter.com/MDLVPeo4Wg
- Scott Pugh (@SPugger77) April 24, 2016
When he wasn't signing autographs or taking pictures with fans, Arcidiacono also showed off some soccer skills pregame. Typically, though, he mostly reverted to his basketball ways:
Ryan Arcidiacono committing several consecutive handballs pic.twitter.com/Guah1GhgRq
- Kevin Kinkead (@KevinKCBS3) April 23, 2016