By Tony Álvarez
Reigning Liga MX champions Cruz Azul opens its Leagues Cup campaign against the Philadelphia Union on Thursday at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania, at 8:00 p.m. ET on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV.
HEAD-TO-HEAD:
- 2nd all-time meeting in Leagues Cup (Cruz Azul won via penalty kicks in 2024)
- Record at Leagues Cup: Cruz Azul (5-5), Philadelphia Union (10-4)
LAST FIVE GAMES:
- Cruz Azul:
- 3 Wins, 1 Draw, 1 Loss
- Philadelpha:
- 3 Wins, 1 Draw, 1 Loss
MAIN STORYLINES:
- Cruz Azul enters Leagues Cup as the reigning 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup winner.
- The Mexican giants recently won the 2026 Campeón de Campeones trophy over Toluca FC.
- Philadelphia Union returns to Leagues Cup after capturing the 2025 MLS Supporters' Shield with the league's best regular-season record.
- Philadelphia Union has reached the semifinals in both of their previous appearances (2023, 2024).
- Both clubs enter Leagues Cup after competing in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup, where Cruz Azul reached the quarterfinals, and Philadelphia Union advanced to the Round of 16.
KEY FACTORS:
- Cruz Azul:
- Enters with momentum as defending Liga MX champions, Campeón de Campeones winners, and a strong start to the Apertura 2026.
- Will look to stay undefeated at Subaru Park against Philadelphia Union.
- Has scored seven goals through its first three Liga MX matches.
- Philadelphia:
- Enters the tournament with renewed confidence after winning three straight home matches.
- Milan Iloski has 10 goals in MLS play and will look to continue his high level in attack.
- Cavan Sullivan, 16, is one of the young players to watch in the tournament and has four assists — one behind team leader Frankie Westfield.
WHAT TO EXPECT?
The two clubs meet again after needing penalties to separate them in 2024. That game ended in a 1-1 tie, with the Mexican squad winning 5-3 on penalties.
The reigning Liga MX champions have picked up where they left off after winning their first two Apertura 2026 games under head coach Joel Huiqui. Led by Ángel Jeremy Márquez in attack and backed by a solid defense, La Máquina enters the tournament as one of the favorites to lift the Leagues Cup.
Philadelphia Union is looking to take advantage of its home field after winning three consecutive matches following the World Cup break, turning around its fortunes following a tough stretch to begin the year. The Union will once again rely on Milan Iloski, who has scored 10 MLS goals this season, to capitalize on its scoring opportunities against one of Liga MX's strongest sides.
One of Matchday 2's tightest matchups sees Cruz Azul holding a slight edge, earning 40% compared to 35% ahead of a clash between two clubs with legitimate title aspirations.
