LAFC at Philadelphia Union
Concacaf Champions League Semifinal Leg 1
Wednesday, April 26 at 6:00pm PT
Location: Subaru Park - Chester, Pennsylvania
TV: FS1, TUDN
LAFC played to a 1-1 draw against Nashville SC on Saturday, April 22. The Black & Gold are switching gears back to the Concacaf Champions League as they travel to face the Philadelphia Union in the first leg of the CCL semifinals on Wednesday, April 26.
The Black & Gold travel to Subaru Park for only the second time in the Club’s history, where they also played to a 1-1 draw in 2019.
This is the first time the teams have matched up in CCL, but without a doubt it is a highly anticipated re-match of the thrilling 2022 MLS Cup Final, in which LAFC came out victorious in penalty kicks. Philadelphia and LAFC have a history of thrilling games, with the teams playing to an exciting 3-3 tie on March 8, 2020 and then a 2-2 tie in the regular season on May 7, 2022.
The Union defeated Mexican side Atlas FC 3-2 on aggregate in the CCL quarterfinals, while LAFC defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps 6-0 on aggregate.
UNION IN-DEPTH
Led by head coach Jim Curtin, the Union have been one of the top teams in Major League Soccer for several years, and are now looking for revenge as LAFC beat out the Club for both the Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup in 2022.
The Union are off to a slow start in MLS league play with a 3-4-2 record, but have had a successful CCL showing thus far and a enjoyed a dominating performance in a 4-2 win over Toronto on Saturday to get them prepped for LAFC.
The trio of Dániel Gazdag, Andrés Perea, and Julián Carranza have accounted (two goals each) for six out of the seven goals scored by the Union in CCL.
LAFC WILL WIN IF
They can continue their road success in CCL. The Black & Gold took a 3-0 lead back home in first legs on the road in their last two CCL matchups. They need to take advantage of any opportunity given in Philadelphia to be able to come home with the away goal advantage.
LAFC once again needs to lean on Carlos Vela and Denis Bouanga to silence the home crowd as the duo combines for seven out of the 10 goals scored by the team in CCL.
UNION CAN WIN IF
They can feed off their home crowd and continue their home CCL success. The Club has yet to allow an away goal at Subaru Park in the 2023 CCL. The Union will look to press heavily, while clogging up the middle of the field trying catch LAFC off guard.
