The success of The Philadelphia Union means that thousands of seats need to be added at Subaru Park in Chester, writes John George for Philadelphia Business Journal.

The 14-year-old stadium needs to be modernized, said Dave Debusschere, Union’s executive vice president and COO.

“Subaru Park is too small,” Debusschere said. “Frankly, it’s one of the smallest buildings in MLS.”

The Union has sold out 37 games in a row and needs more seats, he said.

The stadium currently has 18,500 seats. The Union wants at least 22,000 seats.

The best place to add seating would be at the river end of the stadium, filling a gap where fans can now see the Delaware River and the Commodore Barry Bridge.

“People love the river view and it’s a wonderful view, but it can’t pay their bills,” Debusschere said.

The expansion of the stadium is still in the exploratory phase and a final decision has not yet been made.

Philadelphia-based architecture and design firm Gensler was hired to find new seating options, and over the next year the team will add more premium seating and modular suites.

Read more about the planned changes to Subaru Park in Chester in the Philadelphia Business Journal.