Union Cruise to 5-0 Win in Concacaf Champions Cup Opener

Bruno Damiani's brace leads Philadelphia Union to dominant victory over Defence Force FC

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Led by a second-half brace from Bruno Damiani, the Philadelphia Union kicked off its 2026 campaign with a commanding 5-0 victory over Defence Force FC in the opening leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup on Wednesday night in Trinidad & Tobago. Milan Iloski and Ezekiel Alladoh scored first-half goals, while Olwethu Makhanya and Damiani added tallies in the second half to give the Union a decisive advantage heading into the second leg at Subaru Park next week.

Why it matters

The Union's dominant performance on the road to open their Concacaf Champions Cup run is an encouraging sign as the club looks to make a deep run in the prestigious continental tournament. A lopsided victory over the Trinidadian side sets the stage for the Union to potentially advance to the next round and continue their quest for their first Concacaf title.

The details

The Union were in control from the start, with Iloski opening the scoring in the 30th minute with a perfectly placed free kick. Alladoh then doubled the lead just two minutes later, heading home a cross from Frankie Westfield for his first goal in a Union jersey. Makhanya made it 3-0 in the 64th minute, powering home a header off a corner kick, before Damiani came off the bench to score in the 69th and 81st minutes to cap the rout. The 16-year-old Cavan Sullivan recorded an assist on Damiani's first goal, becoming the youngest Union player to notch a Concacaf Champions Cup assist.

  • The match kicked off on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 in Trinidad & Tobago.
  • The Union will host Defence Force FC in the second leg on Thursday, February 26, 2026 at Subaru Park.

The players

Bruno Damiani

A 23-year-old forward who came off the bench to score two goals for the Union.

Cavan Sullivan

A 16-year-old Homegrown midfielder who became the youngest Union player to record a Concacaf Champions Cup assist.

Ezekiel Alladoh

A 20-year-old striker who scored his first goal for the Union in his debut.

Olwethu Makhanya

A 20-year-old center back who scored the Union's third goal of the match.

Milan Iloski

The Union's No. 10 who opened the scoring with a well-taken free kick.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The Union will host Defence Force FC in the second leg of their Concacaf Champions Cup tie on Thursday, February 26, 2026 at Subaru Park.

The takeaway

The Union's dominant road performance to open their Concacaf Champions Cup campaign is an encouraging sign as the club looks to make a deep run in the prestigious continental tournament. Their ability to overwhelm an overmatched opponent and get contributions from both veterans and young talents bodes well for their chances of advancing to the next round.