Long after the final whistle, even after some of the lights were turned off, the fans remained at Lincoln Financial Field.
The United States women's national soccer team had just dropped a 3-1 decision to Denmark, but that didn't ruin the goodbye.
"Mia! Mia! Mia!"
They had their 21-match unbeaten streak snapped, but that didn't spoil the homecoming for a local star.
"Heather! Heather! Heather!"
And for the first time since 2000, they lost with Mia Hamm, Brandi Chastain, Julie Foudy and Kristine Lilly on the field, but that didn't stop those remaining of the 14,812 in attendance from thanking their heroes.
"USA! USA! USA!"
Saturday's stop at the Linc was the ninth leg of the 10-city Fan Celebration Tour, honoring the gold-medal winning American team and paying tribute to Hamm, Foudy and Joy Fawcett, who are spending their last days with the club.
All were members of the 1991 Women's World Cup championship club, and have played quite a bit of soccer for the Red, White and Blue since then.
"You just know in your heart it's time to move on," Foudy said. "The team is in great hands and it's time to move on to other things in life."
Those capable hands -- and feet -- belong to rising stars like Abby Wambach, who scored the team's only goal, Shannon Boxx and Cat Reddick.
Hamm also wasn't too worried about passing the torch.
"There are faces that are on this team that will continue to be there, hopefully for a long time," Hamm said.
The respect is certainly mutual, according to Wambach.
"I feel like legitimately the luckiest person in the world to be able to have this opportunity to play with [Hamm] for the past two-and-a-half years."
Wambach, who entered the match at halftime, took a pass from fellow substitute Aly Wagner and scored what she called a "super sub goal" in the 48th minute to tie the game at one.
But the Danes quickly responded when Johanna Rasmussen took advantage of a Chastain misplay in her defensive area to score unassisted in the 52nd minute.
When Merete Pedersen scored in the 62nd minute, Denmark ensured the Americans' first loss since a March 18 game against Sweden.
For Philadelphians, though, this match was about seeing their favorite players.
In fact for one player, Saturday was about being back in Philadelphia.
Heather Mitts, a Cincinnati native, played for the Philadelphia Charge of the Women's United Soccer Association.
She made a name for herself nationally as the subject of an article and photo shoot for the men's magazine FHM.
In Philadelphia, her fame came from her appearances hosting the WCAU-TV show 10!, as well as dating Phillies slugger Pat Burrell and former Eagles quarterback A.J. Feeley.
"It's no secret," Mitts said. "I miss being here."
"Philadelphia has always been so supportive of women's soccer."
The tour will conclude on Dec. 8 when the U.S. takes on Mexico at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., giving American fans one more chance for a last goodbye.
