Union ready to kick off 2026 season in Trinidad in CONCACAF Champions Cup

Leg 1 of the first round is against Defence Force FC in Port of Spain Wednesday night.

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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The Philadelphia Union's 2026 season kicks off in the CONCACAF Champions Cup with Leg 1 of the first round against Defence Force FC in Port of Spain, Trinidad on Wednesday night. The Union have questions to answer after an offseason of change, including parting ways with veterans Jakob Glesnes and Kai Wagner. The starting forward tandem of Tai Baribo and Mikael Uhre from last year are also gone, replaced by Bruno Damiani and Ezekiel Alladoh. The Union's preseason included matches against European opposition in Spain and Florida.

Why it matters

This is the Union's fourth time in the continental CONCACAF Champions Cup competition. In 2021, they reached the semifinals before bowing out to Mexican giants Club America, and in 2023 they won in the Round of 16 over Salvadoran club Alianza before drawing at Atlas to advance. This year, the Union enter in Round 1, with the winner having Mexican club America waiting in the next round.

The details

Defence Force FC is in the tournament for the first time since 2002, qualifying via a third-place finish in last year's Caribbean Cup. The most recognizable name on the squad is Kevin Molino, a veteran of more than 200 MLS games with Orlando City, Minnesota United and Columbus, who has 62 caps and 25 goals as the captain of the Trinidad and Tobago national team. Centre back Curtis Gonzales is another vet of the Soca Warriors.

  • The Union's 2025 season ended in disappointment last November.
  • The Union season kicks off in the CONCACAF Champions Cup with Leg 1 of the first round against Defence Force FC in Port of Spain on Wednesday, February 17, 2026 (6 p.m., FS2).
  • Leg 2 is the following week at Subaru Park.

The players

Bradley Carnell

The head coach of the Philadelphia Union.

Nathan Harriel

A defender for the Philadelphia Union.

Kevin Molino

The captain of the Trinidad and Tobago national team and a veteran of more than 200 MLS games with Orlando City, Minnesota United and Columbus.

Curtis Gonzales

A veteran centre back of the Trinidad and Tobago national team, playing for Defence Force FC.

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What they’re saying

“I think we're always ready. It's early in our season and we know that there's a schedule coming up that's really tough, so we've been working hard over the last couple of weeks to get everybody integrated as best as we could.”

— Bradley Carnell, Head Coach (mcall.com)

“It's definitely different than last year, losing Jakob and Kai. But at the same time, we've spent these last five weeks getting to know each other better on and off the field. There needs to be a chemistry aspect, and we're building that every single day, on the field and off the field. We all enjoy it. We're all fighting for one goal, and that's to get the best out of every single person here.”

— Nathan Harriel, Defender (mcall.com)

What’s next

The winner of the two-leg tie between the Union and Defence Force FC will face Mexican club America in the next round of the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

The takeaway

The Union's quest to write a different ending in 2026 begins with a tough test against Defence Force FC in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, as the team looks to integrate new faces and find the right combinations after an offseason of change.