Photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Union

Who: Philadelphia Union (#5 seed) vs Necaxa (#22 seed)
What: 2026 Leagues Cup, Matchday 2
Where: Subaru Park
When: Sunday, August 9th, 7:30 PM
Watch: Apple TV, FS1, UniMás
Whistle: TBA

The Philadelphia Union continue their 2026 Leagues Cup campaign against Liga MX club Necaxa in a Sunday Night clash at Subaru Park. After a frustrating loss against Cruz Azul in Matchday 1, the Union need a win to give themselves any chance of advancing out of group play. Meanwhile, Los Rayos are in a similar position, after dropping a result against Chicago on Thursday, setting up a contest where both sides will be playing hard for a win. 

Scouting report: Necaxa (W-W-L-L)

Club Necaxa are coached by Martín Varini. The Uruguayan was appointed on December 8th 2025 at the relatively young age of 35. He led Los Electricistas to a 15th placed finish in his debut season at the helm. 7-3-11 record. Led Necaxa to a 15th placed finish in the 2026 Clausura. However, Necaxa have enjoyed a decent start in this year’s Apertura, winning 2 of their first 3 games, before the Leagues Cup break. Varini will miss tonight’s match through suspension, after receiving a red card for abusive language in the game against Chicago. 

Under Varini, Necaxa employ a dynamic system that utilizes a 3 or 5 man backline, with an emphasis on building up from the back. They prefer to use the width of the pitch through either wingbacks or wide midfielders which allows Los Rayos to overload the wings, creating positional advantages to break through opposition lines.

Necaxa have struggled in the Leagues Cup, only managing 2 wins in 9 games all-time at the competition. Their best finish saw them reach the round of 32 in the 2024 edition, where they suffered a 0-5 loss against the San Jose Earthquakes. 

Philadelphia supporters will be well aware that former Designated Player and fan favorite Julián Carranza is set to make his return to Subaru Park. The Argentinian was a prolific goal-scorer with the Union, and still holds 3rd overall in club record books (43 goals). Carranza continues to boast a good strike rate with Los Rayos – despite missing most of last season with a serious injury – and sits at 6 goals over 9 games.

Other players to keep an eye on include fellow Argentinian attacker Javier Ruiz, former Seattle Sounders Homegrown Player -and current US Youth International- Danny Leyva at defensive midfield. Club captain Alexis Peña typically provides a stable presence at center back, and should return to the lineup after failing to appear in Thursday’s loss against Chicago.

Also of note, Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria is part of an investor group that acquired a 50% ownership stake in the club. She helped spearhead a Welcome to Wrexham inspired docuseries on FX called “Necaxa”, which provides a behind the scenes look at the day-to-day life at the club.  

• Injury report: QUESTIONABLE: Kevin Rosero (Undisclosed). 
• Suspended: Martín Varini (manager)

Scouting report: Philadelphia Union (L-W-W-W-L)

Thursday’s defeat to Cruz Azul may have ended the Union’s perfect start to Ryan Richer’s tenure, but the Boys in Blue have a favorable chance to bounce back against Necaxa. Philly lacks a truly clinical finisher, and instead prefers to find their goals on the counter-attack. This has been a problem since the departure of Julián Carranza in 2024, and was exacerbated by Daniel Gazdag’s trade last season. 

While the Union’s press-and-counter system clearly has an upside, as it led them to just the second major trophy in club history with the 2025 Supporter’s Shield, this team is not built to break down a low-block. Apart from Milan Iloski, the new striking core has failed to impress, which has caused a lot of the struggles this team has had in 2026, and even down the stretch in 2025. 

Case in point is Thursday’s game. Despite dominating the second half against Cruz Azul, Philadelphia was unable to overcome their slow start. Philly were doomed once La Máquina decided to bunker, and failed to convert on a multiple of great opportunities. 

But there is reason for hope. Necaxa prefers an attacking oriented style of play, and has proven vulnerable to conceding late goals. They are also ill-discplined, racking up fouls and even led the league in red cards last season with 7.These factors are a good sign for a Union team that is designed to score first, and keep the pressure on their opponents.

• Injury report: OUT: N/a
• Suspended: N/a

Key matchup

Julián Carranza vs. Union CBs

The man that Union fans once called King returns to his old stomping grounds. A true goal-scoring threat, Carranza will provide a good test for the Union center backs. The potential clash between him and Nathan Harriel would make for an exciting story-line in the game.

Player to Watch: Indiana Vassilev

This is not a sexy pick, but it is a sensible one. The Union were a step slow in their press on Thursday. Vassilev’s presence in the lineup should stabilize their play off-ball, and help the team exert control over the game from minute one. In a match against a team that likes to attack from out wide, the ground he covers will be a key asset.

Prediction: Philadelphia Union 3 – 1 Necaxa

The Union bounce back, and are able to find success on the counter attack against an over-eager Necaxa. Carranza scores but it won’t be enough to stop Philly.