By Erick De La Rosa
Los Guerreros were not going to leave the 2026 Leagues Cup without a fight, and they proved it at Philadelphia Union’s Subaru Park. The Mexican side defeated the Union 2-0 to earn its first three points of the tournament and close out its campaign on a positive note.
The first half was evenly contested, with neither side able to find the breakthrough as the teams went into halftime scoreless. After the break, however, Renato Paiva’s side stepped on the gas and took control of the match in a span of just three minutes.
Ramiro Sordo opened the scoring in the 48th minute before Ezequiel Bullaude doubled the lead in the 51st, putting Santos firmly in control and ultimately securing the road victory.
With the result, both clubs say goodbye to the 2026 Leagues Cup with identical records of one win and two losses. However, the team from Torreón leaves Pennsylvania with a much better feeling after closing out the tournament with a convincing victory.
REACTIONS
- Santos Laguna Head Coach Renato Paiva
- "The first half, more or less, where Philadelphia surprised us, the truth is that, they surprised us because they changed their way of playing a bit. But at halftime we corrected something that was hurting us, especially the play between the lines, and from there we controlled almost all of Philadelphia's play. It is a very good victory. Winning now doesn't mean we can lose the next match, just as losing today didn't mean we would win the next match."
PLAYERS OF THE MATCH
- Santos Laguna
- Mauricio Cuevas not only did his job defensively but also added to the attack. Cuevas provided an assist in the match and was vital for Santos Laguna to get the three points on the road. Moreover, he only missed six of the 30 passes he attempted and with a 7.9 rating was one of the standouts of the game.
GAME NOTES
- Both clubs eliminated from Leagues Cup 2026 after earning just three of nine points contested in this tournament.
- First points earned for Santos Laguna in the tournament, Paiva's pupils put their pride forward and leave with good feelings.
- Philadelphia Union disappointed, one of the Major League Soccer clubs with the most experience in international competitions was not able to get among the four best teams in its league.
- Second-to-last place for the Union only above Vancouver Whitecaps, negative goal difference and only three goals scored in more than 270 minutes played.
- The five-game losing streak in all competitions for Santos Laguna is over, Paiva got his first win with the Guerreros this season.
CARDS/INJURY REPORT
- Yellow Cards:
- Philadelphia: Finn Sundstrom (84'), Sery Larsen (90')
- Santos Laguna: Salvador Mariscal (25'), Kevin Picón (26'), Ran Benjamin (79'), Franco Pardo (86')
LOOKING AHEAD
- Philadelphia goes back to MLS play on August 16th vs New York City FC
- Santos Laguna returns to Liga MX play on August 16th vs Chivas
