By Matt Leon

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – The Philadelphia Union lost Sunday night at home as the Chicago Fire came to town and left with a 3-1 victory.  However, there was a small contingent of the crowd that left happy.  Those rooting for Philadelphia native Dan Gargan, a defender for the Fire.

“It does feel good to be home,” Gargan told KYW Newsradio after the game.  “It was a great reception, I had a ton of family and friends in the stadium supporting and to walk out with three points, it feels good.”

Gargan was active but did not play in the game.  He’s been dealing with a fracture in his foot.  But even with that injury, he has been a key piece for the Fire this season, playing in 19 games with 17 starts.

The 29-year-old’s time growing up in Philadelphia was spent starring at Chestnut Hill Academy and with FC Coppa, but he says soccer wasn’t his only athletic outlet as a kid.

“Growing up I played everything, I didn’t just play soccer.  I played basketball, I played baseball.  I ran track.  It wasn’t solely soccer.  Soccer’s kind of a game I played all year round.  But I don’t think I understood, I guess, the opportunity I could’ve had until scholarships started being offered from colleges.  That’s an amazing experience to begin with and there’s a lot of hard work after that.”

Listen to Matt Leon’s interview with Dan Gargan:

Gargan would go to Georgetown University to play soccer and eventually get selected by Colorado in the 2005 MLS Supplemental Draft and embark on his pro career.

“It’s been all over the place (his career), that’s for sure.  I don’t know if anybody could’ve predicted the career path that I’ve been on.  It’s been a fun one and it’s been filled with a lot of ups and downs.  But that’s what makes it a blessing.  To be able to experience the highs with the lows and the joys of all of it.  It’s been amazing.”

Gargan has spent time with Colorado, Chivas USA, Toronto FC and Chicago during his MLS career.

You can follow Matt on Twitter @mattleonkyw.