Philadelphia Union Host Club América in Concacaf Champions Cup Leg 1

The MLS club looks to advance past the LIGA MX powerhouse in the prestigious continental tournament.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The Philadelphia Union host LIGA MX club Club América in the first leg of their 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 series on Tuesday evening. The Union are seeking to reverse their recent MLS form struggles and advance in the prestigious continental tournament, which grants a spot in the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup and the 2026 FIFA Intercontinental Cup.

Why it matters

The Concacaf Champions Cup is a highly coveted tournament, and success in the competition can provide a major boost to an MLS club's profile and ambitions. The Union are looking to prove they can compete with one of the region's traditional powerhouses in Club América.

The details

The Union dispatched Trinidadian side Defence Force 12-0 on aggregate in the first round, while Club América squeaked past Honduran club CD Olimpia 2-1 on aggregate. The Mexican club has struggled in LIGA MX play, sitting eighth in the table and in danger of missing the playoffs. The Union, meanwhile, have lost their first three MLS matches this season after winning the 2025 Supporters' Shield.

  • The first leg will be played on Tuesday, March 9, 2026.
  • The second leg will be held in Mexico City on March 18, 2026.

The players

Philadelphia Union

The MLS club representing Philadelphia in the Concacaf Champions Cup.

Club América

The LIGA MX powerhouse club facing the Union in the Round of 16 of the Concacaf Champions Cup.

Bradley Carnell

The head coach of the Philadelphia Union.

André Jardine

The head coach of Club América.

Víctor Dávila

A Club América player who scored a goal in the first leg of their first-round matchup.

Ramón Juárez

A Club América player who scored a goal in the first leg of their first-round matchup.

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What’s next

The winner of the Philadelphia Union-Club América series will face the winner of the Inter Miami CF-Nashville SC matchup in the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals in April.

The takeaway

This first-leg matchup between the Philadelphia Union and Club América will be a crucial test for the MLS club, as they look to prove they can compete with one of the region's traditional powerhouses and advance in the prestigious Concacaf Champions Cup tournament.