Two days after their 1-1 league play draw against Sporting Kansas City, Philadelphia Union will host Pachuca in the first leg of their Round of 16 Concacaf Champions Cup matchup.
The game, which will begin at 7pm on March 5th at Subaru Park, marks the first time Philadelphia Union has faced the Mexico City side since 2022, when they met for a friendly that finished in a 1-0 result for the Boys in Blue. This time, there is far more on the line, as Philadelphia Union could earn a berth in the FIFA Club World Cup should they win the tournament.
For the match ahead, the priority for Head Coach Jim Curtin’s squad is to defend their home turf, limiting away goals for Pachuca, as they could hold more weight should the aggregate total finish tied at the end of the second match.
It’ll be a tall task, as Pachuca has had a successful start to 2024, dropping just three of their opening 10 Liga MX Clausura matches, and only by a one-goal deficit each time.
34-year-old Venezuelan striker Salomón Rondon has been a top offensive threat so far, scoring six goals so far. Passes from 28-year-old winger Oussama Idrissi have proved lethal for opponents as well – along with three goals scored so far, Idrissi has totaled six assists since the start of the season.
A match against Pachuca, regardless of the circumstances, can expected to be challenging, but Philadelphia have a unique set of disadvantages stacked against them for this match. The two-day turnaround from their last match aside, Philadelphia must play without two starting centerbacks in Damion Lowe and Jack Elliott. Both of the veteran defenders will be left off the matchday roster after Elliott was suspended due to a late-game red card in last Tuesday’s Round One match against Saprissa, and a two-yellow accumulation from Lowe over the first series.
That being said, it’s likely Curtin could call on Nate Harriel’s versatility, moving him to center back alongside Jakob Glesnes, who earned Saturday night off in anticipation for Tuesday’s match. From there, defense would be business as usual with Olivier Mbaizo manning the right and Kai Wagner left.
A positive for Philadelphia, however, is the return of Andre Blake, who missed the last three matches due to an adductor injury picked up in Costa Rica against Saprissa. The three-time MLS Goalkeeper of the Year and team captain trained in full on Monday, and will reclaim his spot as the team’s steadfast net-protector come first kick.
Philadelphia’s first two Concacaf Champions Cup matches against Saprissa were hard-fought battles until the final whistle – the last of which ending in two 15 minute extra-time halves to decide which group would advance. To watch the next fixture of their hunt for the Concacaf Champions Cup, click below to purchase tickets!
