Photo by Marjorie Elzey

Who: Philadelphia Union vs. Club América
What: CONCACAF Champions Cup, Round of 16 – Leg 2
Where: Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes
When: Wednesday, March 18th, 9:00 PM
Watch: FS1 (English), TUDN & VIX (Español)
Whistle: TBA

The Philadelphia Union will contest Leg 2 of their CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16 match versus Club América in Mexico City tonight. The Union trail 1-0 on aggregate after a disappointing home loss in the reverse fixture. In league play, the Union remained winless after a poor performance against Atlanta on Saturday. 

América has been inconsistent in the 2026 Clausura, but is fresh off a dominant victory over Mazatlán. Even though their usual home ground – the famed Estadio Azteca – is still under renovation, Las Águilas will surely benefit from a fiery atmosphere in their temporary grounds at ‘Sports City Stadium’. While América holds the cards, the Union have nothing to lose and will be looking to get their first ever win over the famed Mexican team.

Scouting report: Club América

Know Your Enemy

América is the best team on the continent and they have the pedigree to prove it, with 16 total league titles and 7 CCC championships. Currently coached by Brazilian André Jardin, he led them on a torrid run after his appointment in June of 2023, which saw them claim 3 straight league titles among other honors. 

Since then, Las Águilas have ‘cooled down’ – but still made the CCC Quarter-Finals and the last two Liga MX Liguillas – and have had a historically poor start to Clausura 2026. 

However, Jardin’s América have earned a reputation as a team that finds form when the pressure mounts, after turning a poor start to Apertura 2024 into a title winning campaign following a late surge in the playoffs.   

Jardin typically sets the team up in the ever-pragmatic 4-2-3-1 which aims to provide defensive stability, in order to control the tempo of the match. 

Las Águilas mainly look to hit on the counter – which was on full display in Leg 1 – but also possess the technical ability to be comfortable on the ball when needed.

Although Jardin will be missing several key players, including usual starting goalie Luis Malagón and experienced forward Henry Martín, he can still rely on an impressive attacking midfield composed of Brian Rodríguez, Raphael Veiga, and USMNTer Alex Zendejas.

All in all, in big games this team can and will reach a higher level and continental play is always a big game.

Eagle’s Nest

With usual home stadium Estadio Azteca still under renovation ahead of this summer’s World Cup, Las Águilas have temporarily roosted in Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes. Although it may not be as mythical as the Azteca, it still boasts a 35,000 capacity. The fan factor can not be underestimated. 

Club América turned Leg 1 into a home game – and that was primarily with local fans of the team. One would expect a loud and raucous atmosphere, which can be intimidating for players that lack continental experience, of which the Union have plenty.

Into Thin Air

Located at a lofty 7,350 feet above sea level, Mexico City presents a unique challenge to opposing teams facing Club América: High Altitude. While not unheard of in US Sports, the majority of MLS teams are not accustomed to playing at higher elevations. Air pressure and oxygen levels drop at heights above 5,000 feet causing a high heart rate, increased respiration, and decreased aerobic capacity. While the body will adjust, it takes several days if not weeks to completely make the transition. 

Conversely, based on Bradley Carnell’s comments in the pre-game press conference, he appears unconcerned with the potential performance problems of high altitude, and specifically mentioned that less time to adjust was actually better. Presumably, the club’s sports science branch has figured out some kind of idealized approach, as there is not enough time to fully adjust to the thinner oxygen levels. 

Perhaps there’s something in that, as the last time Philadelphia traveled to face América – in the 2021 edition of CCC – they seemed relatively unaffected by the lesser O2.

Injury report: OUT: Luis Malagon (OUT – Achilles), Victor Davilla (OUT – ACL), Isaias Violante (OUT – Knee), Dagoberto Espinoza (Doubtful – ACL), Henry Martin (Questionable – Leg)

 

Scouting report: Philadelphia Union 

Brass Tacks

The Union have a lot of questions to answer. Their offseason strategy saw the team sell their best players – just 6 months after winning the Supporters’ Shield. 

Now, at 1 month into the season, both the players and tactics appear to have regressed. On defense, the press is too easily bypassed. In attack, the players are frequently not on the same page.

The Union lack creative players, and boast a trio of strikers that seem to have a redundant skillset rather than a complimentary one. 

In league play, Philly is winless and has scored a grand total of 2 goals in 4 matches. Only one came from open play.

For reasons unclear, one of the few players who has shown promise has played 0 minutes in the last two MLS matches, and was hooked at half-time in Leg 1 of this fixture.

There’s lots of just cause for doom and gloom, especially staring down the barrel of another elimination at the hands of Club América. 

Abandon All Hope

So, is there any hope for the Union in this game? Actually, yes. 

But they probably need to score the first goal. 

Part of the reason the team has played poorly is because it’s not designed to chase games. Carnell employs a ‘60-30-10′ philosophy in his tactics. He wants the team to score 60% of their goals from counter attacks.

Unfortunately, so far this season, the Union have conceded first in every non-Defence Force game. 

Conceding first allows their opponents to sit back and force the Union to possess – something everyone knows they are not comfortable with. 

With the ‘Away Goals Tiebreaker’ in effect, a Philadelphia goal could completely turn the tie on its head, forcing Club América to go on the offensive, and opening the game up for the Boys in Blue. 

They just need to do something they have yet to do this season, against a team they have yet to score against, in a country where they have yet to win a competitive game…

América might hold the cards, but the Union are playing with house money. As Carnell said in the pre-match press conference, “… we have nothing to lose, and everything to gain…”. 

Injury report: OUT: Quinn Sullivan (OUT – ACL), Eddy Davis (Questionable – Hamstring)

Key matchup

Union Defensive Mids vs América Attackers

Philly’s press has not been effective this year. All of the Union’s ‘D-mids’ (Jean-Jacques, Lukić, and Bueno) have each been culpable at times, both in possession and the defensive phase of play. If the team is to regain form – it needs to have a strong spine. Whatever pairing of 6’s Carnell puts out will have to have a good game against the dangerous América attackers.

Player to Watch: Raphael Veiga

Veiga’s goal is what separates the two sides on aggregate. The Brazilian’s strike was a thing of beauty. He was the most dangerous player on the field – and the most entertaining to watch – in Leg 1. With 2 goals and 2 assists in Liga MX play, América will surely look to get Veiga involved again in the rematch.

Prediction: Club América 3 – 1 Philadelphia Union (4-1)

The Union have historically struggled with games in Mexico. While they won’t be playing on the hallowed ground that is the Azteca, Philly will still have to deal with a challenging atmosphere. Even the mightiest MLS sides can flounder in these fixtures, and this Union team is still a work in progress.