Philadelphia Union started their Leagues Cup campaign strong with a 1-0 win against Charlotte FC last Saturday night at home. Even though they still have a group stage match against Cruz Azul remaining, the Boys in Blue have already earned a spot in the Round of 32 by way of a Charlotte FC penalty shootout win against the Liga MX side on Wednesday night.
Regardless of this weekend's result, Philadelphia Union will play in the Leagues Cup knockout stage, but Sunday’s scoreline against a formidable Cruz Azul side will be a factor in determining which team they take on next week.
The Mexico City-based team is seeded 33rd in the tournament, but that’s not reflective of their recent form. Before tournament play began, they earned themselves a spot on top of the Apertura 2024 standings with 3 wins, a draw, and a +8 goal differential.
Sunday’s showdown at Subaru Park is shaping up to be a competitive one, but favorably for Philadelphia, they’ve hit a momentous streak that’s unfolded in three straight wins.
The only players expected to miss Sunday’s match are Nate Harriel and Jack McGlynn who concluded their Olympic campaign with Team USA on Friday against Morocco. Otherwise, the squad is slated to be at full strength, and striker Mikael Uhre says that being back together at training after a handful of injuries and international call-ups has made all the difference.
“It's been lovely. I feel like we've been training good, our people have really gotten together again after obviously, a tough stretch for us. It’s really been wonderful having everybody back, the regular locker room banter and stuff like that. So it's been great,” Uhre said.
This week looks a little different than last as Cruz Azul is a far more unfamiliar opponent for Head Coach Jim Curtin’s team. Philadelphia Union had already played Charlotte twice before they came to town for Leagues Cup, but when Cruz Azul takes the field in Philly, it’ll mark their first time ever doing so.
“It's not a team that we're that familiar with, but I also know that our team behind the scenes are going to do a great job to prepare us for it. That's it – but it started with watching the game on Wednesday,” Uhre said.
There won't be a lack of familiar faces, though. In June, Eastern Conference opponent Atlanta United transferred star striker Giorgos Giakoumakis to Cruz Azul, and he's already stepped into his own with two goals and an assist since arriving.
It all goes down at Subaru Park under Sunday night lights -- don't miss the action with the match broadcast on FS1, UniMas and free on Apple TV starting at 8PM ET.
