Photo courtesy of Philadelphia Union
Who: Philadelphia Union vs Mazatlán FC
What: Leagues Cup, Quarterfinals
Where: Subaru Park, Chester, Pennsylvania
When: Saturday, August 17, 7:30 PM EST
Watch: Apple TV Season Pass
Whistle: TBD
The Philadelphia Union return home to Subaru Park on Saturday night for a Leagues Cup quarterfinal, looking to eliminate Mexican underdogs Mazatlán FC. The winner will face Columbus Crew or New York City FC in an August 21 semifinal before ultimately playing in the final on August 25.
Scouting Report: Mazatlán FC
After getting out of the group stage in 2023, Mazatlán has engineered a deeper run this time around thanks to veteran Mexican manager Victor Manuel Vucetich. Known as a manager with the “Midas touch”, Vucetich seems to have once again have turned a his prospects into gold.
Despite the Mexican side, ranked No. 45 in the tournament, beginning their tournament run with a 1-0 loss to New England Revolution, they have found their form. A 2-0 road win at Nashville SC secured their spot into the Knockout Round, where they defeated Cruz Azul in a penalty kick shootout to move on.
Injury Report: N/A
Scouting Report: Philadelphia Union
Last season, Philadelphia reached the Leagues Cup semifinals before losing to eventual champions Inter Miami CF. Unbeaten in their last six matches after finishing top of East Group 4, do they have what it takes to go all the way this year?
Injury Report: N/A
Matchup to Watch: Union Front 3 vs. Mazatlán FC Defense
It’s no secret that the inclusion of Tai Baribo to the Union’s offense has jumpstarted a goal-scoring machine that was missing for the better part of this season. Even when he’s not finding the net, Baribo is playing an integral role in the trio, setting up his counterparts for success. Amazingly, despite being everywhere on the pitch, Baribo manages to find time to lead the Leagues Cup Golden Boot race with five goals.
Player to Watch: Ricardo Gutiérrez
Gutiérrez came up as big as an inexperienced goalie could during the penalty shootout versus Cruz Azul, but how will he fair against the Union’s attacking line?
Prediction: Philadelphia Union 2-0 Mazatlán FC
The Union are wave of energy, mostly fueled by the fact that every touch is going Tai Baribo’s way. With Andre Blake in goal, chances are high that things will keep going the Union’s way.
can’t wait to see this game!
Thanks, Anna! The question for me is “what will the crowd be like?”
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For Cruz Azul, we fans were outnumbered by their fans 20-1. For Montreal, no one showed up.
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Mazatlan is not a Mexican superclub, so do they have enough fans to take over the SOOB, or will the Union fans start to turn out for knockout games? We shall see.
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I — for 1 — will be there.
I have 1 extra ticket and do not want to list it since I do not to sell it to a Mexican suporter. Anyone want it for $40?
Mazatlan is just not very good. They lost to a really bad New England team that our lads crushed. This should not be difficult, but our leaky defense is always capable of seizing defeat from the jaws of victory.
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Mazatlan is a “new” team. They were Monarcas Morelia until moving to Mazatlan 4 years ago. Against Cruz Azul it looked to me like ALL of the fans were for Cruz Azul. I don’t think stadium takeover is anything to worry about for this match.
Olivier is out. El Brujo is out, which pretty much means he’s gone. DJJ – Danley Jean Jacque is available, which is amazing considering the U’s horrible luck with immigration paperwork.
Hoping the Union make one more quality acquisition during the transfer window if Martinez is out and Jaque is his replacement then the next logical move is another midfielder with more offensive skills. Martinez will be missed. He was a force in the middle of the defense and a leader with attitude. Don’t see anyone to step into that defensive leadership intimidator role at all on this team. Wagner is going to have to fill his defensive leadership role.
Window closed two days ago…..
No Bruno though….
I’m super pissed that El Brujo is benched given the trade that once again lines Sugarman’s pockets whilst not investing in this team’s chances to win championship trophies We even have a solid chance to win another CCC appearance in the alternative. We need players that can cross the threshold to championship trophies. Not only does he not buy them, but also he sells them.
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But no, whilst LAFC like Miami and some others are gunning for silverware, Sugarman is selling our chances.
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He’s a classic property flipper. I’m not against Sugarman making his profit. He’s not running a soup kitchen, and we’re not commies in the US. But it’s fans like us that help fill his pockets, and our expectations aren’t being taken seriously.
Didn’t he already replace Martinez during this window? And of course he benched Jose as the deal was getting done – only a fool would risk an injury in place of a 7x return on investment.
In order to bring in new players, some players will need to be moved out. There are only 18-20 roster spots that are on budget (MLS Salary Budget). The remaining 10-12 players must either be: a homegrown player, a Generation Adidas Player, or a player making less than $125K / season.
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El Brujo is an amazing player. He’s also 30, and a Brazilian team came in with an offer of close to $2M for him. I hate to say it, but Tanner has to consider this deal, and ultimately accept it if the player wants it. In order to bring in players, the team needs money. This transfer will replenish the funds that were used to bring in DJJ, and will likely be used in the winter to reshape the team going into 2025 and beyond.
Win something 1st
The transfer window has just closed.
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It may not affect departures, I am vaguely thinking I remember. the Key point is that Danley is here. Now a Martinez deal can move forward.
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if the player wants to go, morale demands that he be allowed to do so. $2 million for a 30 year-old is not as bad as you seem to think. sometime, study was age does to player valuations.
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Boycotting again(Montreal, didnt want to see Mounted Police show, or have maple syrup snacks at half) after embarrassing display not trying to get Unions fans in the house (see 6ers vs Nicks) pandering to visiting Cruz Acul fans: MX fireworks display, Mexican music, encouraging wave, and not enforcing rules (throwing beer and smoke bombs).
Also, couldn’t wait 2 wks for Martinez deal? They don’t want to win. Pretty sure CCL birth worth substantial direct dollars and indirect marketing dollarsas well, so not even the best business move either.
Lastly, don’t be so confident for this eve, will be out coached, like refusing to make changes to close out a match when up 2-0…again. not to mention not ba able to park the bus or play with a lead for, oh say, last 14 yrs, especially last 9! Maybe someday with a different coach.
Selling Brujo for 2 million is bad business. I don’t think his level of play has declined. They have him for 2 more years (2026 club option). 2 mil is not enough. He’s more valuable in the line up. They won’t spend the money anyway.
JESUS CHRIST HOW IS THAT A RED CARD this tournaments over already.