Jim Curtin might not want to be here, but he knows the territory well.
The Leagues Cup third-place game not only determines placing in this tournament but also has a Concacaf Champions Cup bid on the line. It’s how Curtin and his Philadelphia Union team made it to the continental championship in 2024, and ahead of Sunday’s game against the Colorado Rapids at Subaru Park it once again looks like the best path to the CCC.
“Obviously we’re disappointed not to get to the final. That was the ultimate goal. We were beaten by a very good Columbus Crew team and have to regroup quickly now. In our own building, in Subaru Park, put on a good performance for our fans and get that Champions Cup berth,” Curtin said Saturday.
Last year, the Union were able to take advantage of playing a team already qualified for the CCC. Monterrey headed to Philly knowing it would be in the 2024 CCC. Though a win from the Liga MX side would’ve given an additional spot to the league, the Union always looked more likely to secure the spot. Jesus Bueno opened the scoring less than a minute after the opening whistle, and the Union eased to a 3-0 victory.
This year, the Union won’t have the luxury of facing an opponent with less motivation. The Colorado Rapids are looking for a first taste of Concacaf competition since earning a spot in the 2022 tournament as the top team in MLS’ Western Conference. A lot has changed since that 2021 campaign, with manager Chris Armas helping to spearhead a turnaround that once again has the Rapids contending for an international place.
“We are proud of the work that’s gotten us here. We’re proud of representing our city and fan base in a good way and that we’re one of the four teams on the last day standing,” Armas said. “We’ve earned this spot to play for Champions Cup. I’ve said it all year. (My players) are a bunch of winners, and we love that we get a crack at it.”
As expected in a third-place game, both teams enter the contest looking to bounce back from defeats - and in this case both teams lost by multiple goals.
The Rapids, however, fell to LAFC by a 4-0 margin and then had to fly across the country from Southern California to Eastern Pennsylvania to start preparations. Still, the Rapids believe they won’t be weighed down by the frustration of the heavy semifinal loss, especially after beating four Liga MX teams in a row on the way to that semi.
“I think the nature of this competition, there’s been a lot of emotional highs from the results we’ve had and obviously a bit of a low from this past match,” Rapids defender Keegan Rosenberry said. “My response to the team and even at the beginning of the year we talked about not getting too high or getting too low.
“These games come quick. There’s not really much time to take any more than what we need to tactically from the games we’ve had. It lasts about a day, two days, we review it and quickly are into the preparation for the next opponent.”
The Rapids may be helped by the fact that the Union also are trying to quickly learn lessons and then wipe a 3-1 defeat to the Crew out of the memory as well. After all, the mindset needs to be right with a Concacaf place on the line.
Securing a place in the CCC not only gives bragging rights, top matches next season and prestige but also leads to other benefits. For one, the champion of the 2025 CCC will earn a place in the planned 2029 FIFA Club World Cup competition, facing some of the world’s best and most well-known clubs. But even before that, both teams are hungry for the chance to prove themselves on the international stage.
“The significance is huge when you think about it. We’re one of the 47 teams that started (Leagues Cup), ranked 46, and are one of the last four playing on the last day,” Armas said. “When you think about what it does for the fans, does for the players, for our coaching staff, the organization to play against teams like Club América - a superclub in North America - the internal belief and internal joy we’re giving I think we’re all better for it.
“I think it’s huge and last but certainly not least we have the chance to qualify for Champions Cup, which would be a big, big, step.”
That’s why, while both teams hoped for more, they’re excited to be here, aware of the stakes and hoping to lock up the CCC place.
