As Philadelphia Union returns to Concacaf Champions League play on Thursday night against the continent's most decorated club, Club America, the Union not only look to put up a strong showing for the City of Brotherly Love but also Major League Soccer.
The Union's path to the Semifinals in their debut on the international stage has been led by forward Kacper Przybylko whose five goals have him at the top of the Golden Boot race with three matches remaining. Przybylko scored in each of the Union's matches in CCL play and even added an assist in the road leg at Atlanta United FC instead of going for the hat trick.
Przybylko's goals have come in a variety of ways, the true definition of a striker. On the road at Deportivo Saprissa, Przybylko smashed home a header courtesy of an Olivier Mbaizo cross. He followed it up a headed goal from a Union corner to make it two goals in two matches. Kacper took control of the Golden Boot race in Atlanta with another set piece finish via a tap in at the back post and then calmly capped off a counter attack to make it 2-0 in a dominate second half. With his team down a goal at home, Przybylko again displayed a calmness with a finish inside the box for his fifth.
As with every opening leg, road goals could prove critical and has been the saving grace for Club America on their path to playing the Union. If not for two goals at Honduras, Las Aguilas might not be the Union's opponent. Road goals are the first tiebreaker in the aggregate scoring system so the Union will be looking to snag a goal before returning to Subaru Park for the final leg on September 15th.
The Friendly Striker enters the match with 11 goals across all competitions in 2021, with goals in three-consecutive matches from July 17th to July 25th. While he has yet to bag one in August thus far, Przybylko will be a dangerous target when the Union look to counter against Club America. With just a one goal lead over Cruz Azul's Bryan Angulo in the Golden Boot chase, a goal would not only see Kacper maintain his lead but possibly be one of the biggest goals in club history.
