Philadelphia Union
Union Open Leagues Cup Campaign Against Liga MX Champions Cruz Azul
Leagues Cup action is back! The Union return to the transcontinental tournament after a year’s hiatus, looking to build off recent form for a good performance in a competition with high stakes. Massive financial incentives outline the tournament, but the prize the Union chase is a coveted position in the Concacaf Champions Cup. To do so, the tournament kicks off against Liga MX powerhouse Cruz Azul. Let’s break down tonight’s matchup.
Know the Enemy: What Cruz Azul Bring to Chester
Tonight’s fixture will be the second time the Union played Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup. In the first meeting between the two sides, the U played to a 1-1 draw, then lost to La Máquina on penalties in the group stage.
Los Celestes enter tonight in fantastic form. As the reigning Liga MX champions, they’ve won four of the last five, including last season, dropping their most recent match to Atlante. The loss was their first since the Champions Cup in April of this year, where they lost to LAFC.
Between the two seasons, Cruz Azul tore through Liga MX, going on a 14-match unbeaten streak which included their playoff championship of last season. This year, the club sits sixth in the Liga MX table after three matches.
When analyzing the Cruz Azul attack, it is important to look at Luka Romero. With a goal and an assist already this season, the Argentine midfielder is at the heart of La Máquina and will play a crucial role in their transition play. Azul play a five-back system, meaning they defend compactly and look to score on their opponents through swift, lethal counterattacks.
Veterans such as Carlos Rodríguez, who scored the championship-clinching goal against Pumas last season, and Érik Lira, who captained the team and featured in Mexico’s World Cup squad, provide necessary depth to a midfield that will look to control play at Subaru Park.
Defensively, Cruz Azul uses midfield-style players as wingbacks. Most prominent of these is Jeremy Márquez. Márquez has two goals and an assist on the season already, and plays both sides of the ball extremely well.
On the opposite flank, expect Omar Campos to give the Union problems on the attack. These quick and skilled wingbacks are incredibly important and indicative of Cruz Azul’s success throughout this tournament and in defending their Liga MX title.
Keys to Success
The Union struggle against well-organized defensive systems, and I would expect more of that with how Cruz Azul lines up. They defend well as a group and can provide lethal sparks of attack when prompted, and this game plan matches extremely well with the Union’s faults as a squad. If they can execute their style to perfection this evening, they should walk out of Chester with all three points.
Philadelphia Looks to Carry MLS Form Into Leagues Cup
The Union enters the Leagues Cup red hot. Three wins in three home matches bring the U to just eight points from the playoffs.
Now, the Union looks to bring that form to a tournament where they have quite the decorated history. This is their first tournament appearance since 2024, when the Union finished fourth after dropping their third-place match to the Colorado Rapids. The year prior, they finished third after defeating Monterrey in the same match.
Historically, the Union fare well against Liga MX sides. In fact, they are unbeaten against Mexican sides across the tournament in regulation time. To have success in this tournament, they will need to keep up the same level of play.
This starts with some newfound sparks in the attack. The midfield has played well over the last few matches, creating attacking chances for the forwards while connecting defensively. Danley Jean-Jaques remains consistent on both sides of the ball, and he will be crucial to controlling play and killing counterattacks from Cruz Azul.
Cavan Sullivan remains the spark to the newly minted creativity in the Union attack, and with the progress his brother Quinn has made in his recovery, they are players to watch in this tie.
In the forward position, Milan Iloski is now the Union record holder for most consecutive matches with a goal, surpassing Daniel Gazdag. He will always be the focal point when analyzing the Union’s strikers, but there may be a shake-up in his partner.
Let’s jump to conclusions. Bruno Damiani has been extremely underwhelming for the Boys in Blue. Additionally, it is clear that Augustin Anello is still developing clinically within the system. This opens the door for Ezekiel Alladoh. A screamer for the game-winner last week and continuous improvement map outline the last few weeks for the young Ghanaian forward. Will this be his breakout tournament?
Defensively, the kids should still hold down the fort. Another goal for Neil Pierre in the 3-2 comeback victory shows his rapid growth into the 11 it is safe to assume that the Union wouldn’t have walked away with all nine points since their return to MLS if it weren’t for Kai Wagner.
Keys to Success
Can the Union break down Cruz Azul’s defensive line? This is the major question that needs to be answered for the Union to start this tournament on the right foot. The Leagues Cup will provide ample opportunity for different faces to feature in the lineup, so from a fan perspective, enjoy watching which players can fill the holes for a team looking for a playoff spot.
You can catch the game at 8 PM on Fox Sports 1 or Apple TV+.
