Bueno scored his first goal for Philadelphia Union in his 100th appearance in all comps. The Philadelphia Union traveled to Mexico City for the decisive second leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16, facing Club América at Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes, with the historic Estadio Azteca unavailable due to renovations ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Philadelphia entered the match needing a 1–0 victory to force extra time or any higher-margin win to advance via the away goals rule. Already trailing on aggregate, the margin for error was minimal against one of the region’s most dominant clubs. Union head coach Bradley Carnell reflected on the early setback and his team’s response after the match. “The mission was to get to half at zeros. Unfortunately, we conceded very early, and the result could have gone another way. I’m proud of the boys because they dug deep. We shifted the game in the second half—we went into second gear—and I am really proud of the push.” Club América wasted little time asserting control. Brazilian midfielder Dourado opened the scoring in the 7th minute, giving the early lead to the locals and extending the aggregate advantage to 2–0 and immediately putting Philadelphia under pressure. The Union struggled to generate attacking rhythm in the first half, with their clearest opportunity coming late when Korzeniowski failed to capitalize on a promising chance. América nearly doubled its lead on multiple occasions. A second goal was ruled out for offside, and a penalty initially awarded by referee Saíd Martínez was overturned following a VAR review—keeping the deficit within reach heading into halftime. Second-Half Response Falls Short Philadelphia emerged with renewed urgency after the break and found a lifeline in the 50th minute. Midfielder Jesús Bueno calmly converted from the penalty spot, cutting the aggregate deficit and reigniting hope for the visitors. The Union pressed forward in search of the crucial second goal. One of their best chances came when 16-year-old Cavan Sullivan delivered a cross to Nathan Harriel, but the defender was unable to keep his effort on target. Carnell also highlighted the club’s commitment to youth development following bold substitutions involving teenage talents. “Fresh legs—it is a statement for us to start a 16-year-old and bring a 16-year-old on. Malik is made for goal-scoring moments; he just could not get the right contact on the chance we carved for him. It shows what we stand for as a club on the development side. We brought a spark off the bench. Cavan had an excellent game.” Despite a spirited second-half push, Philadelphia could not find the equalizer needed to swing the tie, and their continental run came to an end. In the end, experience and efficiency once again proved decisive for Las Águilas. Three Points América’s Home Dominance Continues : Club América has now advanced in 15 of 16 Concacaf Champions Cup series when closing at home since the format change in 2008, reinforcing their reputation as one of the region’s most formidable sides. History Still Favors América : Philadelphia falls to 0-3-1 all-time against the Mexican giants but did manage to score its first-ever goal against the club, while ending a three-match scoreless run against Liga MX opposition in the competition. Milestone Moment for Bueno : Jesús Bueno made his 100th appearance for Philadelphia across all competitions, marking the occasion with his first goal for the club—also his first successful penalty (excluding shootouts). Starting XI Philadelphia Union (4-2-3-1): Rick; Sery (Ndinga 82’), Makhanya, Martinez (Westfield 47’), Harriel; Sullivan (Jean Jacques 64’), Lukic; Iloski, Bueno, Vassilev (Jakupovic 73’); Korzeniowski (Damiani 47’) Club América (4-1-3-2): Cota; Mejía, Reyes, Cáceres (Juárez 47’), Borja; Dourado; Zendejas (Espinosa 73’), Sánchez, Rodríguez (Lima 72’); Veiga (Dos Santos 86’), Salas (Zúñiga 72’) Scoring Summary Club América: Dourado — 7’ Philadelphia Union: Bueno (PK) — 50’ Booking Summary Club América: Cáceres (yellow)— 30’ Philadelphia Union: Ndinga (yellow) — 84’ What’s Next With the result, Club América advances to the quarterfinals of the Concacaf Champions Cup, continuing its stronghold over MLS opposition. For Philadelphia, the focus now shifts back to domestic play, where signs of growth—particularly in the second-half performances and integration of young talent—offer encouragement despite the elimination. Dourado scored the goal that ended up giving America the victory over the Union and the qualification to the quarter-finals.

Tai Baribo scored his third goal of the season to secure the 2-1 victory over Chicago Fire. Earlier in the game he had a disallowed goal. Chicago, IL —  On a chilly and windy night at Soldier Field, D.C. United traveled to face Chicago Fire FC hoping to snap a two-game losing streak, while the hosts aimed to extend their unbeaten run after shutout victories against CF Montréal and Columbus Crew. In a dramatic match filled with VAR reviews, extended stoppage time, and late goals, the Black-and-Red rallied to secure a 2–1 comeback victory , thanks to goals from Matti Peltola and Tai Baribo. The two sides entered the contest with a long-standing rivalry, having met 73 times in regular-season play , with D.C. United holding a slight advantage with 27 wins to Chicago’s 24, alongside 22 draws. Despite the scoreless first half, D.C. United created the better opportunities. Head coach René Weiler felt his side was close to taking the lead early. “I had the feeling that we had the better chances in the first half to score and open the score ourselves,” Weiler said after the match. Baribo threatened Chicago’s defense in the 18th and 21st minutes , and the striker thought he had broken the deadlock shortly afterward. However, the goal was disallowed after Jackson Hopkins was ruled offside while blocking the view of goalkeeper Chris Brady. The half ended with the teams still level despite D.C.’s attacking intent. Fire Strike First D.C. United began the second half with greater control of possession and continued to search for the opener. João Peglow forced a save in the 63rd minute , and just three minutes later Gabriel Pirani narrowly missed a clear scoring opportunity. Chicago eventually capitalized on a pivotal moment. In the 81st minute , Hopkins was penalized for an involuntary handball inside the penalty area. Hugo Cuypers stepped up and calmly converted the penalty with a strong shot down the middle, giving Chicago a 1–0 lead . D.C.’s Comeback The Black-and-Red responded quickly. After a weak defensive clearance in the 84th minute , Peltola struck a shot that deflected off Chicago defender Mbokazi and into the net, leveling the match at 1–1 . Weiler praised the midfielder’s development and importance to the team. “He stepped forward definitely,” Weiler said. “For young players, for newcomers, it’s not easy to come to a new country with a new culture and system, but now he’s a very important player for our team.” What followed was a chaotic ending. In the 90th minute , D.C. United was awarded a penalty after the ball struck the extended arm of Chicago defender Dean following a delivery into the area from Peltola. The decision required a lengthy VAR review. With 18 minutes of stoppage time  eventually added, Baribo stepped up and converted the penalty in the 90+5th minute , sealing a dramatic comeback victory. Weiler also highlighted the striker’s composure in the moment. “He took the responsibility with the penalty kick,” the coach said. “He already scored in the first half but the goal was canceled, and now he has three goals in four games. That’s a very great number for a striker.” Strong Team Performance Beyond the goals, Weiler emphasized the collective effort his team showed against a Chicago side known for playing quickly into the attacking third. “We played well against the strengths of Chicago,” Weiler said. “They want to play immediately in the final zone, but we defended very well.” He added that the performance reflected the team’s mentality in tight MLS matches. “They did it all together with the ball and without the ball. That is how we have to play because all games are tight, and that’s how we try to win points.” Three Points Back to Winning Ways :  D.C. United snapped their two-game losing streak and recorded their 28th victory against Chicago  in 74 all-time meetings, avenging last season’s 7–1 defeat at Audi Field on June 7, 2025 . Baribo’s Strong Start :  With the game-winning penalty, Baribo reached three goals in four matches , climbing the early Golden Boot standings behind Petar Musa of FC Dallas, who leads with five and Fernandez, Surridge, and Klaus with 4. First Road Win of 2026:  The victory marked D.C. United’s first away win of the 2026 MLS season  and their first road victory since defeating New York City FC on August 30, 2025. Starting XI D.C. United (4-4-2): Johnson; Kurokawa, Bartlett (C), Rowles, Hefti; Hopkins, Peltola, Servania (Nealis 90+6’), Peglow (Murrell 88’); Pirani (Clark 79’), Baribo Chicago Fire FC (4-3-3) : Brady; Barrozo (Borso 90+6’), Elliot (Waterman), Mbokazi, Dean (Radojevic 90+6’); Saletros, D’Avilla (Pineda 66’), Zinckernagel; Lod (Haile-Selassie 66’), Cuypers, Bamba Scoring Summary Chicago Fire FC : Cuypers 81’ (PK) D.C. United : Peltola 84’ Baribo 90+6’ (PK) Misconduct Summary Chicago Fire FC : Zinckernagel (yellow) 25’ Elliot (yellow) 56’ D’Avilla (yellow) 65' D.C. United: Hopkins (yellow) 35' Peltola scored his first ever goal with the Black-and-Red. Additionally, he recorded seven recoveries and three interceptions.

Veiga scored his first Champions Cup after arriving to America in early February and became the third-oldest brazilian to score, 30, since 2017 after Rogerio and Carioca. Written by Denis Gomez Philadelphia Union entered the contest seeking a response after consecutive MLS defeats to New York City FC  and San Jose Earthquakes , hoping to capitalize on home-field advantage and carry momentum into the decisive second leg in Mexico. Standing in their way was continental powerhouse Club América , a club historically dominant in the competition and still unbeaten against Philadelphia after eliminating the Union 4–0 on aggregate in the 2021 Concacaf Champions Cup semifinal . Union head coach Bradley Carnell  emphasized belief and collective identity ahead of the match. “We want to start the game on the front foot. We want to be brave and show exactly what we’ve been working on,” Carnell said. Carnell highlighted the team’s growing confidence and tactical progress , particularly in the second half when Philadelphia pinned América deep in their own half. “I thought we put on a real proud display in the second half where we pinned them in. I think we had 11 shots and couldn’t reward ourselves.” He also stressed that the team’s attacking patterns are beginning to come together, even if the finishing touch has not arrived yet. “You can see it’s starting to click and starting to work… everything but the goal.” Carnell said the performance gave him optimism about the direction the team is heading. “We’re getting close. That gives me motivation and inspiration… these guys inspired me tonight.” The matchup also highlighted the financial gap between the squads. According to Transfermarkt, Club América’s roster is valued at $113.71 million , nearly triple the $42.79 million  valuation of the Union’s squad. In the end, quality proved decisive. Club América secured a 1–0 victory over Philadelphia Union  in the first leg of the Round of 16 of the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup  on Tuesday night at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania , gaining an important advantage heading into the return leg. The Decisive Moment The breakthrough arrived early. Brazilian midfielder Raphael Veiga , recently transferred from Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras , struck in the 20th minute , finishing a fluid attacking sequence with a powerful left-footed shot into the top-left corner . The $11.6 million–valued playmaker proved the difference on the night, delivering the lone goal that secured the away victory. The play began with an impressive individual effort from Brian Rodríguez , who broke into the penalty area and set up Veiga for the decisive finish. Philadelphia had its own opportunities earlier in the half. In the 26th minute , Lukic  nearly found Cavan Sullivan , who was left wide open on the right side, but the pass failed to connect. Club América were forced into an early adjustment when starting goalkeeper Luis Malagón  exited with an injury in the 42nd minute . Veteran Rodolfo Cota , a two-time Concacaf Champions Cup winner , replaced him and helped maintain the clean sheet. Second-Half Push from the Union Philadelphia responded after halftime, increasing pressure in search of the equalizer. The Union created several dangerous chances late in the match. In the 85th minute , Milan Iloski  saw his close-range attempt blocked by América’s defense. Moments later, Indiana Vassilev  fired from the top of the box after recovering possession high up the field, but his effort drifted wide. Despite the late push, the visitors held firm to take the narrow advantage back to Mexico City. Three Points América’s MLS Dominance Continues: Club América has now won each of its last three Concacaf Champions Cup away matches against MLS opposition , outscoring those teams 7–0 . Prior to this run, Las Águilas had won just one of their previous four away matches against MLS clubs. Union Win the xG Battle: Philadelphia generated more danger statistically, finishing with 1.7 expected goals to América’s 0.6 , but failed to convert. The last time the Union produced a higher xG in a Champions Cup match without scoring also came against América in 2021 (2.3 xG) . Historic Youth Movement: With an average age of 22 years and 239 days , Philadelphia fielded the youngest starting XI by an MLS team in the Concacaf Champions Cup since at least 2012 . Starting XI Philadelphia Union: Rick; Martinez (Jean Jacques 63’), Lukic, Sullivan (Westfield 46’), Bueno, Iloski, Ndinga (Sery Larsen 81’), Alladoh (Damiani 46’), Harriel (C), Anello (Vassilev 63’), Makhanya Club América: Malagón (C) (Cota 42’), Reyes, Cáceres, Rodríguez (Zúñiga 80’), Zendejas (Gutiérrez 67’), Dourado, Mejía, Veiga (Lima 67’), Borja, Sánchez, Salas (Dos Santos 80’) Scoring Summary Club América: Veiga (Rodríguez) — 19’ Misconduct Summary Philadelphia Union Martinez — 17’ (yellow) Makhanya — 44’(yellow) Anello — 47’(yellow) Club América Dourado — 87’(yellow) What’s Next The series now shifts to Mexico City , where Club América will host the second leg at Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes next Wednesday . Philadelphia will need to overturn the one-goal deficit to keep its continental hopes alive. A 1–0 Union victory in Mexico would level the aggregate score and force extra time — and potentially a penalty shootout. However, any win by a larger margin would give Philadelphia the advantage through the away goals rule and secure passage to the quarterfinals. Union's HC Carnell praised his team's defensive effort despite the home loss.

Tai Baribo scored the only goal for the Black-and-Red and his second of the season. Baltimore, MD - The Black-and-Red entered the contest looking to build momentum in front of a home record crowd of 72,026 fans at M&T Stadium in Baltimore , facing the defending MLS champions Inter Miami CF  in a tough battle featuring one of the best players to ever play the beautiful game; Lionel Messi . Inter Miami’s attacking quality proved decisive early, as the visitors delivered a clinical first-half performance that ultimately secured a 2–1 victory . Despite a stronger second-half push from D.C. United, the early deficit proved too much to overcome in a match where individual brilliance and costly turnovers shaped the outcome. Early Pressure and Miami’s Clinical Edge From kickoff, the match developed into a physically contested match , with both teams pressing aggressively and looking to capitalize on mistakes. Inter Miami created the first dangerous opportunity in the 7th minute , when Rodrigo De Paul  forced a save from Sean Johnson . D.C. United responded in the 15th minute  through Jackson Hopkins , who tested Dayne St. Clair  with a shot on goal. Miami's breakthrough came shortly after. In the 17th minute , De Paul capitalized on a turnover after Beterame stole possession from Lucas Bartlett . Combining with Telasco Segovia , the Argentine midfielder unleashed a powerful right-footed shot into the upper-right corner , giving Miami a 1–0 lead . Just ten minutes later, Lionel Messi doubled the advantage . The Argentine captain found space inside the attacking third and finished with a rainbow past Johnson in the 27th minute , extending the lead to 2–0 . Messi struck again in the 37th minute  after intercepting a pass from Brandon Servania , but the shot went a bit wide. D.C. United Responds After the Break Head coach René Weiler  made adjustments in the second half to spark a comeback. João Peglow received a yellow card in the 58th minute , shortly before Weiler introduced Nikola Markovic and Louis Munteanu  for Servania and Gabriel Pirani  in the 60th minute . Rene On substitutes impacting the game “All the players who came in did well. I felt their approach and their impact on the team. That is the job of substitutes — to help the team when they come in.” In the 64th minute , Munteanu nearly produced a spectacular moment , attempting an acrobatic bicycle kick that narrowly missed the target. D.C. United’s persistence paid off in the 75th minute . Tai Baribo picked up a rebound after a Hopkins shot , who finished confidently to cut the deficit to 1 goal. Inter Miami managed the closing stages with discipline. St. Clair received a yellow card in the 87th minute , while De Paul nearly added a third goal for the visitors , though his late attempt sailed over the crossbar. Rene on the difference between the first and second half for the Black-and-Red “It was a very good reaction in the second half. At the end of the first half we gave them too much space to play counterattacks, but I told the team not to lose their heads. We had to play more properly and search for the first goal.” Three Points The Argentines stood out for Miami:  Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul added a goal in a dominant first-half display that ultimately decided the match. Record Crowd:  A historic 72,026 fans  attended the match, one of the largest crowds to watch D.C. United at home field. For this occassion D.C. traveled to M&T Bank stadium instead of Audi Field. Late Push:  Tai Baribo’s goal and Rene's subs gave D.C. an opportunity to get a result but it was not enough. Starting XI D.C. United Johnson; Bartlett (C), Rowles, Hefti, Kurokawa; Peltola (Murrell 90+1’), Servania (Markovic 60’); Peglow, Pirani (Munteanu 60’), Hopkins (Clark 84’); Baribo Inter Miami CF St. Clair; Mura, Dos Santos, Allen, Falcon; De Paul, Bright; Segovia (Lujan 88’), Messi (C), Silvetti (Allende 70’); Berterame Scoring Summary Inter Miami CF De Paul 17’ (Silvetti) Messi 27 (Segovia) D.C. United Baribo 75’ (Hopkins) Misconduct Summary D.C. United Peglow (58’) Inter Miami CF St. Clair (87’) Despite showing resilience after halftime, D.C. United struggled to recover from Inter Miami’s early attacking burst. The Black-and-Red improved in the second half and created more attacking opportunities, but was not enough and are now 1-2-0 in the season. Hopkins had a two shots on goal, one of them produced tthe rebound that Baribo was able to capitalize on to close the gap to 1 goal.

Forward Ramirez scored the game-winner on his Verde-and-Black debut in the 82nd minute. The Black-and-Red entered the contest riding positive momentum after a 1–0 victory over the Philadelphia Union, aiming to secure their first-ever win against Austin. However, the Verde-and-Black once again proved to be a difficult matchup, extending their flawless head-to-head record over D.C. United. Austin capitalized late, earning a hard-fought 1–0 victory in a tightly contested affair where margins were razor-thin and set pieces ultimately made the difference. Tactical Adjustments and a Physical Battle Head coach Renew Weiler made two changes to his starting XI from the previous outing, inserting Jared Stroud and Hosei Kijima on the wings, while Gabriel Pirani and Jackson Hopkins began on the bench. “It was the plan to start with two other players (Kijima and Stroud) that we have, strong players from the bench that can help during games,” Weiler explained post-match. From kickoff, the match developed into a physical, highly competitive battle in midfield. Both sides struggled to create clear-cut chances in open play, with defensive organization and pressing dictating the rhythm. D.C. looked compact defensively, limiting space between the lines, while Austin patiently circulated possession searching for openings. The Decisive Moment The breakthrough came in the 82nd minute — and it arrived through a substitute. Christian Ramirez, who entered in the 68th minute, made the difference. Following a set piece, goalkeeper Sean Johnson came off his line attempting to punch the ball clear but failed to fully deal with the delivery. A scramble ensued inside the six-yard box, with multiple deflections and blocked attempts before the ball dropped invitingly in the small area. Ramirez reacted quickest, rising to head the ball toward goal. Defender Kurokawa nearly cleared it off the line, but the effort crossed fully, sealing the lone goal of the night. “It was a tough game, very tight. This time the decisive goal was not for us. It wasn’t enough for at least one point. A set piece, one of their qualities, decided this game.” Three Points Perfect Record Continues:  Austin FC now holds a perfect 4-0-0 record against D.C. United in all head-to-head meetings. Super Sub Impact:  Christian Ramirez, who recently joined Austin from the LA Galaxy on February 27, delivered the winning goal. Notably, he had already featured earlier this season for LA Galaxy in Concacaf Champions Cup action against Sporting San Miguelito before completing his move. What’s Next:  Austin travels to face Charlotte FC in North Carolina, while D.C. United prepares to host the defending MLS champions, Inter Miami CF, at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. Starting XI D.C. United Johnson; Rowles, Bartlett (C), Hefti, Kurokawa; Kijima (Pirani 46’), Servania (Markovic 90’), Peltola; Stroud (Hopkins 46’), Peglow (Munteanu 77’), Baribo Austin FC Stuver; Gallagher, Svatok, Hines-Ike, Biro; Illie (C) (Sabovic 68’), Pereira; Rosales (Fodrey 78’), Torres (Bell 90’), Nelson (Ramirez 68’); Uzuni Scoring Summary Austin FC:  Ramirez 82’ Misconduct Summary D.C. United Stroud (12’) Kurokawa (90+3’) Pirani (90+6’) Austin FC Torres (29’) Pereira (79’) Sabovic (87’) Despite showing defensive resilience for much of the match, D.C. United’s inability to capitalize on limited opportunities and a costly late sequence ultimately extended Austin’s dominance in the series. For the Black-and-Red, the focus now shifts to regrouping quickly ahead of a tough matchup against the reigning MLS Cup holders who just defeated Orlando City in Orlando. Svatok and the Austin F.C. defense were able to contain the D.C. United attack

# D.C. United's Coaching Uncertainty: The Challenge Ahead for René Weiler ## A New Era Begins August 13th - Washington, D.C. D.C. United’s coaching situation has entered a new phase of uncertainty. René Weiler , appointed 28 days ago as the club’s head coach, has yet to arrive and coach his first match. Kevin Flanagan has been serving as interim coach for the past 34 days , overseeing five matches , all of which ended in losses. An introductory press conference for Weiler was originally scheduled for Friday, August 6 , but was postponed to a later date. In a statement released today, D.C. United stated that Weiler is in the final stages of securing his U.S. visa and work permit . The Communications team will provide an update as soon as the process is complete. Since late 2020, D.C. United has undergone three rebuilds — under Losada, Rooney, and Lesesne — none of which lasted more than 18 months, excluding the interim spells of Chad Ashton and Kevin Flanagan. ## The Post-2020 Era The post-2020 era began with promise under Hernán Losada . Appointed in January 2021, the Argentine-Italian tactician introduced an aggressive, high-tempo style. This approach produced the highest points-per-game (PPG) return of this period at 1.37 . However, internal tensions and inconsistent results cut his tenure short after just 457 days and 41 matches . Wayne Rooney , a club legend from his playing days, followed in July 2022. Expectations soared, but his managerial spell proved underwhelming. Across 53 matches , he averaged 1.04 PPG , the lowest of any permanent head coach in this era, and departed after 15 months. Most recently in January 2024, Troy Lesesne took charge with a mandate to stabilize the squad. His return — 1.18 PPG over 60 matches — was a modest improvement over Rooney but still short of Losada’s mark. This performance was insufficient to push United back into playoff spots after five consecutive seasons of missing them. The last time they had a post-season appearance, they were eliminated by Columbus Crew in the First Round at Audi Field in penalty kicks. Only Chicago Fire FC has a longer post-season drought, having missed the playoffs for the past seven years. ## Weiler’s Challenge Weiler’s challenge is demanding. He must reverse a trend of short-term appointments, restore the team’s competitive edge, and bridge the gap between Losada’s peak PPG and the stability once enjoyed under long-serving managers like Ben Olsen . Olsen previously led the club for a remarkable 3,601 days with 362 wins at 1.33 PPG . Key Metrics (Since Late 2020) Highest PPG: Hernán Losada – 1.37 Lowest PPG: Wayne Rooney – 1.04 Average Tenure Length: ~15 months Post-Losada Average PPG: ~1.11 Under this era, D.C. United’s ephemeral rotations have produced flashes of promise but little lasting progress. As Weiler waits to officially begin his tenure, the question lingers: Will he be the one who brings D.C. United back to winning trophies? Or will the cycle continue, leaving the Black-and-Red fans hoping for stability that remains just out of reach? ## The Road Ahead The road ahead for D.C. United is fraught with challenges. The team must find a way to build a cohesive unit that can compete at the highest levels. This requires not just tactical acumen but also a strong connection between the players and the coaching staff. ## Building a Winning Culture Creating a winning culture is essential. It involves fostering an environment where players feel valued and motivated. This can lead to improved performance on the field. Weiler must focus on developing relationships with his players. Trust and communication will be key components in this process. ## Fan Engagement and Support Engaging with fans is another crucial aspect. The support from the fanbase can significantly impact the team's morale. Weiler should prioritize building a connection with the community. This can help create a more vibrant atmosphere at matches, encouraging players to perform at their best. ## Conclusion In conclusion, D.C. United stands at a crossroads. With René Weiler at the helm, there is hope for a new beginning. The challenges are significant, but with the right approach, the team can reclaim its place among the league's elite. As fans, we can only wait and see how this new chapter unfolds. Will this be the turning point for D.C. United? Only time will tell.

Cavan Sullivan had an unforgettable night after providing a poker of goal contributions; 2 goals, and 2 assists. Written by Denis Gomez Photos : Concacaf Media Philadelphia Union delivered a dominant performance at Subaru Park on Thursday night, defeating Defence Force 7–0 to complete an emphatic two-leg sweep in the Concacaf Champions Cup Round One matchup. Two-time Concacaf Champions Cup winners Defence Force (1978, 1985) entered the second leg hoping to recover from a difficult first match, but an early missed opportunity proved costly. The visitors created a clear chance in the opening minutes that could have altered the momentum, yet failed to capitalize — a theme that head coach Devorn Jorsling  later acknowledged. “Just as in Trinidad, we created a first chance at the game. If people had taken that chance to get some confidence, that would have been great,” Jorsling said post-match.“Coming here to Philadelphia, in the conditions we were in, with guys from the Caribbean, it was extremely difficult.” Philadelphia quickly seized control. Geiner Segura  opened the scoring in the 7th minute, followed by goals from Lukic  (10’) and Korzeniowski  (12’) as the Union overwhelmed the Defence Force back line inside the opening quarter-hour. Korzeniowski added his second just after halftime (48’), before Bender  extended the lead in the 53rd minute. The night belonged to 16-year-old Cavan Sullivan , who made history at Subaru Park. The homegrown star recorded four goal contributions (two goals, two assists)  and became the youngest U.S. player to score in the Concacaf Champions Cup  at 16 years, 4 months, and 29 days , finding the net in the 76th and 88th minutes. Union head coach Bradley Carnell  emphasized the importance of momentum and squad cohesion following the club’s recent league setback. “What you’re looking for is momentum… and relationship-building across the whole roster,” Carnell said.“The work rate, the work ethic, and the real professional environment to keep the clean sheet at all costs was an objective of ours.” Defensively, Philadelphia remained disciplined and composed, limiting Defence Force after the early scare and preserving a clean sheet. Carnell credited the collective effort and professionalism across the lineup, particularly from young players earning competitive minutes. Despite the lopsided scoreline, Carnell also praised the visitors’ resilience. “They never gave up. I don’t think the scoreline reflects how competitive they were.” For Defence Force, the match marked their return to the Concacaf Champions Cup after a 24-year absence , with their last appearance dating back to 2002 against Pachuca. Jorsling pointed to long-term growth as the takeaway. “It’s been two years since new management took over. We’ve started introducing sports science like GPS tracking. Playing against a team like this, you take little things and try to improve.” Philadelphia Union now turn their focus back to league play, carrying confidence, depth, and growing internal competition into the weekend. Philadelphia advances to the Round of 16 and will face Mexican powerhouse Club América at Subaru Park on March 10. Philadelphia will host the first leg, as Club América holds a higher Concacaf ranking (4th) compared to the Union’s 13th. Three Takeaways Cavan Sullivan makes history  – The 16-year-old recorded two goals and two assists, becoming the youngest American to score in the Concacaf Champions Cup. Youth and experience clicking  – Bradley Carnell highlighted strong on-field relationships between veteran leaders and young players. Defence Force overmatched  – Returning to continental competition after 24 years, Defence Force struggled to cope with the Union’s intensity across both legs. Starting XIs Philadelphia Union: Rick; Martinez, Lukic (Olivas 46'), Sullivan, Bedoya (Bueno 75'), Rafanello, Mbaizo, Alladoh, Makhanya (Bender 46'), Korzeniowski (Jakupovic 59'), Sequera Defence Force: Williams; Garcia, Araujo-Wilson, Felix, Coryat(Tinto 80'), George(Sadoo 56'), Francois, C. Bailey(Dillion 56'), Noel (Hodge 56'), T. Bailey (Ollivierra 80'), St. Hillaire Scoring Summary 7’ – Segura (PHI) 10’ – Lukic (PHI) 12’ – Korzeniowski (PHI) 48’ – Korzeniowski (PHI) 53’ – Bender (PHI) 76’ – Sullivan (PHI) 88’ – Sullivan (PHI) Misconduct Summary 23’ – Korzeniowski (PHI) 25’ – St. Hillaire (DF) 77’ – Olivas (PHI) Ezekiel Alladoh provided a brace of assists.

Tai Baribo scoring the lone goal of the match to give D.C. United their home opener win. Written by Denis Gomez Photo: Karla Canales Tai Baribo scored the lone goal that gave the Black-and-Red their first win of the season against his former team, as D.C. United  defeated the Philadelphia Union  1-0 in front of 18,003 fans. The striker celebrated passionately in front of the home supporters and later explained, “I always celebrate with passion because it’s not easy to score goals and I always thank God. I celebrated with our fans and I love the club.” Typically, when a player scores against a former club, they choose not to celebrate out of respect. On this night, however, the “Law of the Former Club” — the unwritten rule that a former player often finds the net against his old team — was in full effect, and Baribo made no apologies for embracing the moment. Baribo’s 23rd-minute finish, assisted by Peglow after a midfield steal, proved decisive. Earlier, D.C. had a goal disallowed in the ninth minute when Baribo found the net but was ruled offside. Philadelphia threatened in the 20th minute through Iloski, and Johnson was called into action a minute later, making a sharp save to preserve the clean sheet in his Black-and-Red debut. The first half belonged largely to D.C. United. They moved the ball efficiently, mixing diagonal switches and long balls to break Philadelphia’s high press. The tactical flexibility was intentional. “We have to vary, otherwise we are predictable. We want to be unpredictable. We played diagonal balls and long balls to open the game.”; Weiler explained in the post-match presser. The approach unsettled the Union’s defensive structure and created space in midfield, allowing Peglow to capitalize on a turnover that led to the match’s only goal. The Union’s uphill climb became steeper in the 58th minute when striker Alladoh was shown a red card in his MLS debut for directing an obscene gesture and language, per the pool report and postgame comments. Playing a man down, Philadelphia pushed for an equalizer, but D.C.’s defensive organization held firm. “Against a strong opponent like Philadelphia, you have to defend well — and we did. We didn’t give them a lot of chances”, Weiler emphasized. D.C.'s first season win highlighted a strong night for several debutants, as Johnson, Kurokawa, Louis Munteanu (70’), Hefti, Baribo, and Markovic (90’), and Nealis (90+3') all made their Black-and-Red debuts. The result snapped a poor recent stretch against Philadelphia, marking D.C.’s first win over the Union in nearly five years, dating back to a 3-1 victory on August 28, 2021. With the win, D.C. United gains early momentum and confidence in a rebuild season where making the Play-offs is a must, while Philadelphia will look to regroup in their midweek play against Trinis Defense Force in the Concacaf Champions Cup. Philadelphia has the 5-0 advantage and will look to seal the qualification for the quarter-finals at home on Thursday, February 26th. Three Points Law of the Ex strikes:  Baribo punished his former club and celebrated it, delivering D.C.’s breakthrough moment. Johnson’s debut shutout:  The goalkeeper made a key early save and commanded his box confidently in his first appearance in Black-and-Red. Discipline proves costly:  Alladoh’s red card shifted the momentum and forced Philadelphia to chase the game with 10 men for over 30 minutes. Lineups D.C. United:  Johnson; Hefti, Bartlett, Kurokawa; Servania, Peltola, Hopkins (Markovic 90’), Peglow, Pirani (Louis Munteanu 70’); Baribo (Nealis 90+3').Unused subs: Stroud, Antley, Nealis, Bono, Clack, Turner, Kijima Philadelphia Union:  Blake (c); Larsen, Harriel, Makhanya, Sundstrom (Martinez 46’); Bueno (Anello 57’), Jean Jacques, Damiani (Korcienowski 79’), Iloski (Sullivan 70’), Vassilev (Bedoya 79’); Alladoh. Unused subs: Rafanello, Olivas, Rick Scoring Summary DCU – Tai Baribo (Peglow) 23’ Misconduct Summary PHI – Makhanya (caution) 41’PHI – Jesus Bueno (caution) 44’PHI – Alladoh (red card) 58’PHI – Sery (caution) 80’PHI – Jean Jacques (caution) 88’ DCU – Jackson (caution) 89’DCU – Peglow (caution) 90+4’ Peglow provided the assist

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago  – The Philadelphia Union delivered a commanding 5-0 victory over Defence Force FC in the first leg of their Round One series at Hasely Crawford Stadium. The Union produced a clinical performance that leaves them firmly in command heading into the return leg. Philadelphia broke the deadlock in the 29th minute through Milan Iloski, who unleashed a sensational free kick from distance that left the goalkeeper with no chance.Just three minutes later, the visitors doubled their lead. Frankie Westfield delivered a pinpoint cross into the area, where Ezekiel Alladoh rose above the defense and powered home a header to make it 2-0. The Union continued to dictate the tempo in the second half. In the 64th minute, Iloski turned provider, whipping in a dangerous corner kick that found Olwethu Makhanya, who buried a commanding header to stretch the lead to three.The pressure continued and produced more goals. Bruno Damiani added a fourth in the 69th minute when his strike from the edge of the box took a deflection and slipped past the keeper. Damiani then secured his brace in the 81st minute, calmly converting a penalty kick following a VAR review to cap a dominant night for the MLS side. With the emphatic 5-0 result, Philadelphia returns to Subaru Park holding a commanding aggregate advantage. The two sides will meet again next Thursday, February 26th, with a place in the Round of 16 on the line. Should the Union advance, they would face Mexican giants Club América in the Round of 16. Due to the competition’s seeding structure, the higher-ranked team hosts the second leg. In this case, América enters the tournament ranked No. 5 in the region, while Philadelphia sits at No. 12 — meaning the Union would host the first leg, with the decisive return match taking place in Mexico. Before turning their attention to back to the second leg of the Round One, Philadelphia will shift focus back to domestic competition. The Union travel to Audi Field this Saturday, the 21st, to face D.C. United in the opening match of the 2026 MLS season . The last time the Union visited the Nation's capital they obtained a dominant 6-0 win on September 27th, 2025. The question now is whether Philadelphia has the squad depth to balance league and Concacaf Champions Cup ambitions while securing its first win of the new MLS campaign.

Cada año, la historia parece repetirse para los clubes hondureños en la Concacaf Champions Cup. Buenas intenciones, ilusión en casa… pero eliminación ante rivales de mayor presupuesto. Sin embargo, la pregunta es inevitable: ¿el problema es realmente económico o mental? El ejemplo más reciente que invita a la reflexión llega desde Europa con el sorprendente FK Bodø/Glimt. Un club noruego valorado en 57.13 millones de euros que logró derrotar al poderoso Manchester City (1.29 billones de euros) y al Atlético de Madrid (584 millones de euros), imponiéndose 3-1 y 2-1 respectivamente en el lapso de ocho días, para alcanzar el repechaje de la UEFA Champions League. La diferencia presupuestaria era abismal, pero la diferencia mental no lo fue. La mentalidad, el verdadero desafío Tras la reciente eliminación del Club Olimpia Deportivo, su técnico Eduardo Espinel fue claro: hay que apostar para competir. Más allá del dinero o lo futbolístico, el timonel uruguayo señaló que hace falta creérsela. El mensaje es contundente: el problema de los equipos hondureños en torneos internacionales pasa más por lo mental que por lo táctico. Trabajar el aspecto psicológico para competir de igual a igual es tan importante como reforzar el plantel. En la serie ante el Club América, Olimpia —valorado en 5.20 millones de euros— no pudo ante un conjunto crema tasado en 98 millones. La diferencia existe, pero no debería ser una sentencia automática. Hacer pesar la localía Un factor determinante en estas competiciones es la fortaleza en casa. Olimpia cayó 2-1 ante América en Tegucigalpa. Un año antes, el Fútbol Club Motagua perdió 4-1 ante el FC Cincinnati en la primera ronda. En aquella ocasión, Diego Vázquez utilizó una metáfora que quedó grabada: los equipos hondureños son “la cucarachita” y los norteamericanos “un Ferrari”. La frase retrata una percepción de inferioridad que, consciente o inconscientemente, termina pesando en la cancha. Si los clubes catrachos no convierten de local, competir será aún más dificil. El turno del Real España Ahora es el turno del Real Club Deportivo España, valorado en 4.40 millones de euros, frente a un Los Angeles FC tasado en 68.20 millones. Los aurinegros deberán hacer valer su localía y buscar una ventaja amplia antes de viajar a California. Mantener el arco en cero será clave para no llegar obligados a una hazaña en territorio estadounidense. El conjunto angelino cuenta con figuras de talla internacional como Son Heung-min y Hugo Lloris —campeón del mundo en 2018—, lo que eleva el grado de dificultad. Pero el fútbol no siempre lo ganan los millones; lo gana el convencimiento. Será la cuarta ocasión en el torneo que el conjunto hondureño se enfrente a un club de los Estados Unidos. En sus antecedentes ante equipos de la MLS, Real España registra un balance de una victoria, dos empates y dos derrotas, números que reflejan que competir es posible, pero que la regularidad ha sido el gran desafío. Una tendencia que urge romper Los clubes mexicanos han superado 12 de las últimas 13 eliminatorias frente a equipos hondureños en la Copa de Campeones. La única excepción reciente fue cuando Club de Fútbol Pachuca cayó ante Motagua en 2023. En esa serie, los catrachos empataron en casa y lograron un 1-1 como visitantes con gol de Eddie Hernández, avanzando por el criterio de desempate. Ese precedente demuestra que sí se puede. Más actitud, menos complejos El espejo no debería ser únicamente la diferencia económica, sino la actitud competitiva del Bodø/Glimt. Honduras no necesita presupuestos de mil millones para competir; necesita convicción, preparación psicológica y una mentalidad que elimine el complejo de inferioridad. Si los clubes hondureños logran combinar orden táctico, preparación mental y fortaleza como locales, la historia en la Concacaf puede empezar a cambiar. Porque en el fútbol internacional, antes que millones, lo que realmente pesa es creer que se puede.

D.C. United closed its 2026 preseason with plenty of positives after finishing undefeated across three matches, showing early defensive solidity and steady integration of new faces in the offensive and defensive Black-and-Red chemistry ahead of the MLS campaign. Scoreless Opener vs. Portland Timbers D.C. United opened play at the Coachella Valley Invitational with a 0–0 draw against the Portland Timbers. The Black-and-Red started with Johnson, Bartlett, Peltola, Kurokawa, Peglow, Baribo, Louis, Antley, Rowles, Servania, and Hopkins. Several players made their first unofficial appearances for the club, including Johnson, Kurokawa, Baribo, and Louis. The clearest chance for the Black-and-Red came in the 60th minute when Matti Peltola delivered a perfect cross that Tai Baribo struck off the crossbar. https://youtu.be/aZ-lge3Bd5Y?feature=shared D.C. United rotated heavily in the second half, giving minutes to Kijima (Peglow), Clark (Servania), Farr (Johnson), Marković (Bartlett), Murrell (Louis), and Turner (Baribo). Defender Nikola Marković, Carolina State University standout and #1 overall SuperDraft pick for D.C. ,made his first unofficial appearance as a center back at the 84th minute. Another Clean Sheet Against Minnesota United In their second preseason outing, D.C. United again played to a scoreless draw, this time against Minnesota United. The starting XI featured Kurokawa, Peglow, Stroud, Baribo, Nealis, Tubbs, Servania, Marković, Clark, Kijima, and Bono. Goalkeeper Alex Bono played the full 90 minutes, marking his first appearance for the Black-and-Red since facing Charlotte FC on October 19, 2024. The best opportunity fell to Louis, who fired two shots that were both blocked by a well-organized Minnesota defense. Closed-Door Victory to Close Preseason D.C. United wrapped up preseason with a 3–1 victory over St. Louis City SC in a match closed to the public. Goals came from Baribo, Rowles, and Murrell. Johnson started in goal, while Baribo and Louis led the line as the two starting forwards. Positive Signs Ahead of the Season Overall, it was a very encouraging preseason for the Black-and-Red. D.C. United went undefeated, conceded just one goal in three matches, and showed significant defensive improvement after allowing 66 goals in 34 games last season. Notable absences included Herrera, who was away following the birth of his child, Pirani (undisclosed), and recently acquired Silvan Hefti, who joined the club on January 29. The youngsters Oscar Avilez (MID) and Grant Leveille (GK) traveled with the team but did not see game action. The focus now turns to the regular season, as D.C. United prepares to host the Philadelphia Union in their home opener at Audi Field on Saturday, February 21, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m.

Los leones llegaban con la obligacion de revertir el marcador adverso 2-1 de la ida, en donde estaban urgidos de anotar al menos 2 goles para emparejar los dos goles recibidos en casa, y tratar de emparejar la serie o ganar en el global. El empate sin goles  entre Club América  y Olimpia  dejó poco para el recuerdo en el Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes , en un partido marcado por la intensidad, pero carente de claridad y contundencia en las áreas. Desde el arranque, el conjunto azulcrema tomó la iniciativa con mayor posesión del balón y presión alta, aunque sin traducir ese dominio en ocasiones claras de gol. Olimpia, por su parte, apostó por el orden defensivo y el contragolpe, logrando cerrar espacios y frustrar los intentos del local. Un segundo tiempo con más intentos que emociones En la parte complementaria, América buscó refrescar su ataque con modificaciones ofensivas, incluyendo el ingreso de sus hombres más determinantes. Aun así, las oportunidades más claras fueron bien resueltas por los guardametas, destacando la actuación del Menjivar, que respondió con seguridad en los disparos de media y corta distancia. Pese a la seguidilla de tiros de esquina y aproximaciones, ninguno de los dos equipos logró romper el cero. El juego se diluyó entre faltas, interrupciones y remates desviados que evidenciaron la falta de puntería. Un resultado que deja dudas El 0-0 final deja sensaciones encontradas. América no pudo hacer valer su localía ni el peso de su plantilla, mientras que Olimpia se marcha con un resultado valioso desde lo defensivo, que de nada le servia para clasificar. Ademas que fue dominado en la posesion de balon con solo 26.1 %, mientras el America obtuvo 73.9%. Eduardo Espinel,DT de Olimpia, reconoció la labor defensiva pero lamento la eliminación, recalcando que la serie se perdio en casa, cuando perdieron 2-1. Un empate aburrido y sin brillo , que deja mas preguntas que respuestas para el club merengue que no logro pasar de la primera ronda.