Philadelphia Union
Union fall to Cruz Azul despite strong second half effort
In the first of three Leagues Cup contests at home in Chester, the Philadelphia Union fell 1-0 to Liga MX side Cruz Azul at Subaru Park Thursday night.
The first half was a struggle. The Union looked disjointed on both sides of the ball. And they were chasing Cruz Azul far too often.
Cruz Azul and their fans started on the front foot with a goal in just the third minute. Jose Paradela found himself in the perfect pocket of space between the Union’s backline and defensive midfielders atop the box. He hit it in stride and with confidence leaving Andrew Rick little chance to get a paw on it despite a diving effort.
And the crowd erupted for the away side.
Four minutes later, the Liga MX side that has finished in the top three of their league each of the last three seasons, threatened again. Their passing was sharp and cut through a heavily rotated Union lineup.
Interim Head Coach Ryan Richter made several changes to the starting XI, which allowed the Sullivan brothers to earn their first career start together. The duo joins the Farfan twins, Michael and Gabriel, as the only other pair of brothers to start alongside each other in club history.
But unfortunately, they weren’t able to celebrate a win together after the final whistle.
Philadelphia never had firm footing in the first half. Cruz Azul were inches away from securing a two goal lead at the thirteen minute mark after Gabriel Fernandez darted through the center backs to get on the end of a cheeky chipped pass. But he was offside and the goal was waived off.
There were subtle moments sprinkled throughout the first half that made you think they’d maybe find an equalizer, like the 24th minute burst from Cavan Sullivan. He beat his man, sprinted toward the box, and dished wide to Frankie Westfield. But Westfield couldn’t complete the cross to create a chance.
One more spark occurred in the 43rd minute. A sense of urgency appeared as the Union had Cruz Azul pinned back in their own end. But once more they failed to threaten.
Instead of home fan boos at half, there were loud away fan cheers.
Richter decided not to make a change at the half. And perhaps that decision was the correct one. As the Union approached the hour mark, they created a flurry of opportunity. Ultimately though, no true chances on frame resulted.
They had their fanbase back in it momentarily. Cruz Azul were sitting back, inviting the pressure. And the Union were taking advantage.
Richter then made a double swap at the 66th minute mark sending Bruno Damiani on for Ezekiel Alladoh and Indy Vassilev on for Quinn Sullivan. Quinn, starting for the first time since September 27, 2025, finished his shift with determination as the main catalyst alongside his younger brother and Milan Iloski.
Shortly before the Union’s substitutions, Cruz Azul made a pair of their own. And along with the subs, there seemed to be a tactical shift to try and gain more possession and kill the Union’s momentum.
It worked.
Richter then made a rare triple substitution and shifted to a three-back formation in the 78th minute just after Westfield took a shot that was blocked out for a corner. In came the young center back, Neil Pierre, along with Augustin Anello and Jovan Lukic. Nate Harriel, Jesus Bueno, and Japhet Sery Larsen exited. But the corner kick following the sub was fruitless.
The Union had their moments. They just couldn’t convert in the end. Salt in the wound came in the dying embers of the match as head referee Juan Gabriel Calderon Perez decided not to review a potential (and arguably blatant) handball in the box, preventing the Union from a crucial penalty kick opportunity to tie it.
The match was the first considerable test for Richter and a club looking to find a resurgence following a lackluster first half of the season that ended in turmoil before the World Cup break. Credit to them though, they didn’t buckle and escaped with just a one goal deficit despite a very shaky first half.
Next on their Leagues Cup slate is Necaxa Sunday night followed by Santos Laguna next Thursday.
Union Lineup:
Andrew Rick, Japhet Sery Larsen (Neil Pierre 79’), Nathan Harriel (Jovan Lukic 79’), Kai Wagner, Frankie Westfield, Jesús Bueno (Agustin Anello 79’), Danley Jean Jacques, Quinn Sullivan (Indiana Vassilev 66’), Cavan Sullivan, Ezekiel Alladoh (Bruno Damiani 66’ ), Milan Iloski
Unused Substitures: Andre Blake, George Marks, Jeremy Rafanello, Alejandro Bedoya, Malik Jakupovic, Geiner Martinez, Ben Bender
Cruz Azul Lineup:
Kevin Mier, Willer Ditta (Josué Diaz 88’), Gonzalo Piovi, Jesús Orozco, Ángel Márquez, Omar Campos (Luka Romero 65’), Agustin Palavecino (Cristian Jiménez 90’+2), José Paradela, Érik Lira, Carlos Rodríguez, Gabriel Fernández ( Nicolas Ibañez 65’)
Unused Substitutes: Andrés Guadiño, Andrés Montaño, Alán Montes, Juan Calero, Amaury García, Bruno Salgado, José Suarez
GOALS/ASSISTS
CAZ – José Paradela (Omar Campos) 3’
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY
CAZ – José Paradela (YELLOW) 10’
PHI – Jesús Bueno (YELLOW) 23’
CAZ – Érik Lira (YELLOW) 53’
