Philadelphia Union
Philadelphia Union open the 2026 campaign against Defence Force FC
Philadelphia Union soccer is back! The Boys in Blue return to Concacaf Champions Cup play following a year away, opening their campaign against Defence Force FC. Fresh off capturing the MLS Supporters’ Shield in 2025 to secure their place in the tournament, the Union is in Trinidad and Tobago for the first leg of a two-match series against the leaders of the TT Premier Football League.
The match will be the first for the U against a side from Trinidad and Tobago, so let’s get to know the club that has been taking Caribbean soccer by storm over the last few years.
Philadelphia Soccer Now connected with Nigel Myers of Soca Warriors Online to discuss the club and their return to the Champions Cup in over two decades. The club qualified for the tournament after finishing third in the 2025 Caribbean Cup and remains unbeaten in the TT Premier Football League this season. Bolstering an 11-3-0 record in 2025-26, Defence Force FC remains a difficult team to crack across the island nation. In 2024-25, the club did not lose in league play, topping the table with 62 points in 22 matches and scoring 81 goals across that span.
Much of this success can be attributed to captain Kevin Molino, who is no stranger to MLS opponents. Molino played 13 seasons in the MLS, featuring for Orlando, Minnesota, and Columbus across his tenure in the United States. The Trinidad and Tobago national returned to his country at 34 to compete for Defence Force, becoming the heartbeat of the club. He is joined in the attack by two-time MLS Cup Champion Joevin Jones, who split his MLS tenure between Chicago, Seattle, and Miami before returning to his home country.
At the back, Defence Force FC is anchored by Sheldon Bateau, a veteran center back who spent much of his career competing in Belgium, Russia, and Turkey. The club thrives on applying waves of pressure, attacking in numbers, and refusing to back down from any opponent. Expect relentless energy and quick, fast-paced attacks, likely unfolding from a 4-2-3-1 formation.
On the other side of the pitch, Philadelphia Union kick off their 2026 campaign with a refreshed lineup. After the departures of key attackers like Tai Baribo and Mikael Uhre, as well as defensive mainstays Jakob Glesnes and Kai Wagner, the reigning MLS Supporters’ Shield winners will lean on a wave of new signings and squad rotations to define this next chapter.
Most notably, the additions of Ezekiel Alladoh from IF Brommapojkarna and Agustín Anello from Boston River stand out to hopeful Union fans. Both forwards appeared in preseason fixtures in Clearwater, demonstrating the size and pace that should complement Bruno Damiani up front. Former Union II forward Stas Korzeniowski can provide a great spark off the bench for the U, scoring 12 goals in 25 appearances for the MLS Next Pro side last season.
The midfield remains largely intact from last season, featuring Milan Iloski, who scored twice in the preseason finale against Montreal, alongside Indiana Vassilev returning from injury, Danley Jean-Jacques, and Jovan Lukic. With Quinn Sullivan still recovering from an ACL tear, captain Alejandro Bedoya and a rotation of homegrown players are expected to fill the gaps during the early stages of the season.
The back line features a mix of new faces as Bradley Carnell works to identify the four defenders who will stick. The Union added Japhet Sery Larsen from Norway’s SK Brann and Geiner Martínez, who played in Uruguay’s top division with both Juventud and Central Español. The likely lineup will feature Olwethu Makhanya, who developed strongly alongside veteran Jakob Glesnes in his debut season. Makhanya is expected to pair with Sery Larsen, while Martínez adds competition for two defensive slots that remain far from settled heading into the 2026 campaign. With no new outside back signed (yet), Frankie Westfield and Nathan Harriel will cover the flanks for the Boys in Blue.
The Philadelphia Union return to Chester next week for the second leg of this matchup, with the winner advancing to face Club América in the Round of 16. The match airs tonight at 6 p.m. on Fox Sports 2.
