Thor’s brace helped secure the tie, bringing him to four goals in five games and into second place in the Golden Boot race Leesburg, VA — Loudoun United returned to Segra Field on a Friday evening looking to secure their first win of the USL Championship season, but ultimately settled for a hard-fought 3–3 draw against Louisville City FC in Matchweek 5. The match opened with high intensity, and Loudoun struck first in the 8th minute through Thor Ulfarsson, who delivered a magnificent finish after being set up by Aman to give the hosts a 1–0 lead. Louisville responded in the 20th minute when Dayes rose to meet a well-delivered corner from T. Davila, leveling the match at 1–1. The visitors quickly built momentum, taking the lead just six minutes later as Showumni’s shot deflected off defender Awuah and found the back of the net to make it 2–1. Just before halftime, Loudoun produced a moment of brilliance with a quick one-touch sequence. The captain, Murphy delivered a perfectly weighted pass to Ulfarsson, who calmly finished for his second goal of the night, sending the teams into the break tied 2–2. Loudoun carried that momentum into the second half and took control of possession. Their pressure paid off in the 61st minute from a set piece, as a well-placed corner from Dias found Murphy at the back post, who headed it across goal for Bolu Akinyode to finish and give Loudoun a 3–2 advantage. In the 72nd minute, Perez delivered a dangerous ball into the box that E. Davila met perfectly to equalize once again at 3–3. Loudoun pushed for a late winner and created several promising chances, but were unable to capitalize, settling for a point despite one of their strongest attacking performances of the season. After the match, Akinyode reflected on the team’s effort and growth. “It was a good performance from us. We battled and played good football at times,” Akinyode said. “We’ve been working on set pieces all week, I did my role, it’s a good feeling.” “We showed we can compete. If we play fearlessly, we will keep getting better as the season goes on.” Loudoun United will now travel to Connecticut on Saturday, April 18th at 7pm EST, to face Hartford Athletic at Trinity Health Stadium, while Louisville City returns home to take on Sporting JAX at Lynn Family Stadium (5pm EST). Three Points Still Searching for First Win:  Loudoun United remains winless in league play, now sitting 12th out of 13 teams in Group A, with a 0-1-3 home record and 0-0-1 away record. Ulfarsson in Golden Boot Race:  The 22-year-old Icelandic forward, Thor Ulfarsson, netted a brace and is now tied for second place in the Golden Boot race alongside Rubin, Moreno, and Bennet. Akinyode Milestone Goal:  In his 172nd USL Championship appearance, Bolu Akinyode scored his first goal of the 2026 season for Loudoun United. Starting XI Loudoun United (5-4-1): Beaudry; Niyongabire (Piras 66’), Adnan, Essengue, Awuah, Aman; Murphy, Akinyode, Santos (Panayotou 76’), Dias (Ordoñez 76’); Ulfarsson Unused Subs: Herrera, Bandre Louisville City (3-4-3): Fauroux; Dayes, Adams, Totsch; Dia (Morris 46’), Niang (Duncan 65’), T. Davila, Gleadle (Perez 46’); E. Davila (Serrano 87’), Showumni, Wilson (Donovan 65’) Unused Subs: Akale, Moguel, Faundez Scoring Summary Loudoun United: Ulfarsson (8’, assisted by Aman) Ulfarsson (45’, assisted by Murphy) Akinyode (61’, assisted by Murphy) Louisville City: Dayes (20’, assisted by T. Davila) Showumni (26’) E. Davila (72’, assisted by Perez) Misconduct Summary Loudoun United: None Louisville City: Niang (yellow) 44’ E. Davila (yellow) 48’ Richie Aman, currently on loan from D.C. United, assisted in the first goal. His second of the season.

Munteanu and Herrera entered the match early in the second half to boost D.C. United's attack, but could not produce a goal scoring opportunity. Washington, D.C.  — D.C. United returned to Audi Field looking to build on a two-game unbeaten run, but instead suffered a humbling 4–0 defeat against FC Dallas in front of 19,215 home fans. Dallas dominated early on, proving to be the efficient side across both halves. The breakthrough came in the 17th minute when a midfield turnover allowed Dallas to capitalize, Ramiro threaded a pass behind the D.C. backline, and Farrington calmly finished past goalkeeper Sean Johnson to make it 1–0. The visitors doubled their advantage just before halftime, as Patrickson Delgado delivered a well-placed free kick in stoppage time that left Johnson with no chance, sending D.C. into the break down 2–0. D.C. United showed brief signs of life early in the second half, sparked by the introduction of Aaron Herrera and Munteanu, but the momentum shift was short-lived. Dallas continued to control the match and extended their lead in the 79th minute when Urhoghide finished off a precise delivery from Valiente. The thrashing was completed in stoppage time as Peter Musa, emerging as a Golden Boot contender, tapped a rebound after a saved shot to make it 4–0 and cap off a dominant performance for Dallas. Head coach René Weiler did not hold back in his postmatch assessment. “Difficult to find the right words, some players quit in the last 15–20 minutes. We went back to old times. Unbelievable. F.C. Dallas was very efficient. We were unlucky with the free kick to end the half,” Weiler said. Midfielder Brandon Servania echoed similar frustrations, pointing to deeper concerns within the team’s mentality. “We lost intensity and fight in certain moments. It was kind of the culture from last year that we wanted to kill and end, and did not want to bring back this year. It was lingering around in this game and we want to cut that out. Hopefully we don’t see it again for the rest of the year.” Historically, D.C. United now falls to 17-24-8 all-time against FC Dallas in regular season play, though they still hold a 10-8-5 record at home in the matchup. D.C. United will look to respond next weekend on the road against the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium, while FC Dallas returns home to face St. Louis City SC at Toyota Stadium. Three Points Home Struggles Continue: D.C. United dropped to 1-2-0 at home this season in their return to Audi Field, their first match there since February 21. Herrera’s Season Debut: Defender Aaron Herrera made his first appearance of the 2026 campaign, coming on in the 61st minute and contributing one chance created along with a yellow card. Golden Boot Race Update: With his goal, Peter Musa moves into a tie for first place in the MLS Golden Boot race with seven goals, alongside Sam Surridge. Starting XI D.C. United (4-4-2): Johnson; Bartlett (C), Hefti, Kurokawa, Nealis (Herrera 61’); Peltola, Servania (Stroud 82’), Peglow; Baribo (Murrell 75’), Pirani (Clark 83’), Hopkins (Munteanu 62’) FC Dallas (4-4-2): Collodi; Urhoghide, Moore, Ibeagha, Norris (Valiente 72’); Ramiro (C) (Sarver 86’), Ferreira (Binyamin 86’), Delgado (Cappis 68’); Musa, Farrington (Moreno 86’), Kamungo Scoring Summary FC Dallas : Farrington (17’) Delgado (45+1’) Urhoghide (79’) Musa (90+1’) D.C. United : None Misconduct Summary D.C. United: Bartlett (yellow) 45’ Herrera (yellow) 84’ FC Dallas: Norris (yellow) 68’ Musa scored the last goal to complete the 4-0 thrashing and reach 7 goals this season, a top-contender for the Golden Boot.

25 year-old, Brazilian Forward, Lucca Dourado delivered the game winner for the Kickers at the death (90+6') Richmond, VA —  The Richmond Kickers advanced to the Round of 32 of the U.S. Open Cup with a hard-fought 1–0 victory over in-state rivals Loudoun United FC on Wednesday night at City Stadium. In a contested cup match, both sides displayed strong defensive organization and allowed few chance creations. Richmond proved slightly more dangerous in the first half, generating several opportunities but failing to convert. Joshua Kirkland came close in the 17th minute, sending a left-footed effort just wide of the target. Honduran forward Darwin Espinal was also active, narrowly missing from distance in the 27th minute before forcing a save from Loudoun goalkeeper Ethan Bandré with a low strike toward the bottom corner. Late in the half, Mujeeb Murana saw his shot blocked inside the box after a buildup involving Tarik Pannholzer. Loudoun United struggled to create consistent danger, with Elvis Amoh sending attempts off target and Pedro Santos coming closest on a direct free kick that sailed just over the bar. The match remained level into the second half, with both teams searching for a breakthrough that would avoid extra time. That moment finally arrived in stoppage time after super-sub, Brazilian Lucca Dourado delivered the decisive strike in the 90+6th minute, finishing a well-worked sequence with a right-footed shot into the bottom right corner. The play began with Hayden Anderson advancing down the left flank before finding Pannholzer, whose delivery set up Dourado for the late winner. Loudoun had one final opportunity to equalize moments later, earning a free kick at the top of the box in the 91st minute. However, the attempt struck the wall, and the follow-up effort was saved by Richmond goalkeeper Yan Fillion, preserving the clean sheet. Richmond head coach Darren Sawatzky praised his team’s determination after the match. “I’m happy for them. The resilience of the guys that fought through injury and illness. The guys really needed that,” Sawatzky said. “They earned it.” With the result, the Kickers secured an upset victory over a higher-division opponent and improved their all-time U.S. Open Cup record at City Stadium to 31-9-2. Three Points Cupset : The Richmond Kickers, representing USL League One, defeated USL Championship side Loudoun United, improving their U.S. Open Cup record against their in-state rivals. Fillion Clean Sheet: Goalkeeper Yan Fillion recorded two saves and his second consecutive clean sheet in this year’s tournament, following a shutout victory in the opening round. Historic and Clinical Home Form: Richmond continues to be dominant at City Stadium in Open Cup play, boasting a 31-9-2 all-time record at home. Starting XI Richmond Kickers: Fillion; Barnathan, Anderson, Layton, Sasankhah; Kirkland (Johnson 90+1’), Pannholzer, O’Malley (Amer 82’); Espinal (Dourado 70’), Vinberg, Murana Loudoun United FC: Bandré; Adnan (Panayotou 90+7’), Essengue, Akinyode, Niyongabire (Piras 45’); Young (Dias 66’), Murphy (C), Robinson (Awuah 66’); Pedro Santos, Ordoñez, Amoh (Ulfarsson 66’) Scoring Summary Richmond Kickers: Dourado 90+6’ Loudoun United FC: None Misconduct Summary Richmond Kickers: Sasankhah (yellow) 84’ Pannholzer (yellow) 90+2’ Fillion (yellow) 90+8’ Loudoun United FC: Dias (yellow) 86’ Next Match in League and Open Cup In USL 1, the Kickers will travel to the state of Washington to face Spokane Velocity at 9:30pm EST. In USL Championship, Loudoun will host Birmingham Legion in Segra Field at 5:00pm EST. In the Open Cup, The Richmond Kickers will host MLS side Columbus Crew in the Round of 32. Kickoff details will be announced at a later date. A very disputed game between Loudoun and Richmond.

Richmond Kickers defeated NoVa FC in the 1st Round, with goals from Kirkland and Dourado. The stage is set at City Stadium as the Richmond Kickers (USL1 -3rd Division) prepare to host Loudoun United FC (USL Championship -2nd Division) in the Second Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., with gates opening an hour earlier at 5:30 p.m. Richmond, the only outside active professional club out of Major League Soccer to win the Cup in 1995,enters the matchup riding momentum after a composed 2-0 victory over NoVa FC in First Round action. Striker Josh Kirkland opened the scoring, while Lucca Dourado added a second to seal the result and send the Kickers through. The win improved Richmond’s all-time Open Cup record to an impressive 30-9-2, reinforcing their reputation as one of the competition’s most historic lower-division sides. Loudoun United FC arrives in Richmond after earning a hard-fought 2-1 road victory over West Chester United SC in the First Round on March 17. Competing in the USL Championship, Loudoun presents a significant test for the Kickers, blending physicality with a higher level of competition. The Open Cup, now in its 111th edition, remains one of the most inclusive tournaments in international and North American soccer. Organized by U.S. Soccer, the competition brings together professional and amateur teams in a single-elimination format, offering a rare chance for underdogs to challenge top-tier opposition. The stakes extend beyond simply advancing. The winner of this Second Round matchup will move one step closer to joining sides like D.C. United—three-time Open Cup champions (1996, 2008, 2013)—who enter the tournament in later rounds. Ultimately, 80 teams will battle across seven rounds for the Dewar Challenge Trophy, a $1 million prize, and a coveted berth in the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup. With momentum on their side and history in their corner, the Richmond Kickers will aim to defend home turf and continue their Open Cup journey. Meanwhile, Loudoun United will look to surprise a historic Kickers side. 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Schedule First Round: March 17–19 Second Round: March 31–April 1 Round of 32: April 14–15 Round of 16: April 28–29 Quarterfinals: May 19–20 Semifinals: September 15–16 Final: October 21 Tickets for Wednesday’s match are available now here .

Brandon Servania almost delivers the game-winner after a magnificent shot from outside the box, that hit the upper side of the crossbar. Atlanta, GA —  D.C. United traveled to Mercedes-Benz Stadium looking to extend their unbeaten run on the road against Atlanta United, and while they came close to leaving with all three points, they ultimately settled for a hard-fought 0–0 draw. Atlanta controlled much of the ball throughout the match, finishing with 65% possession compared to D.C. United’s 35%. However, the Black-and-Red remained disciplined defensively and executed their game plan effectively, limiting clear-cut chances. Goalkeeper Sean Johnson played a crucial role in preserving the clean sheet—his second of the season—making three saves on three shots on target. He denied Cooper Sánchez in the 13th minute before coming up big again against Matías Galarza in the 16th and 47th minutes. Head coach René Weiler acknowledged the team’s defensive focus while emphasizing areas for growth. “It’s a little bit more complicated for the opponents to create any chances,” Weiler said. “We are not in the situation to dominate our opponents and first of all we have to defend well. I prefer to see a little bit more actions offensively. Maybe that is the next step we try to do.” While D.C. United spent much of the match without the ball, they nearly delivered a late surprise. In the 83rd minute, substitute Caden Clark unleashed a strike from outside the box that beat the goalkeeper but rattled off the right post, deflecting off Atlanta’s Hoyos and out for a corner. Just two minutes later, Brandon Servania struck the crossbar, capping a strong late push that nearly turned one point into three. Weiler pointed to missed opportunities in possession but remained satisfied with the result. “We should have been a little bit more precise in the first half and not lose the ball too fast. We have to try and play more cleanly,” he said. “I do not like to complain because we got this good result in an away game.” The late substitutions provided a noticeable spark, nearly helping D.C. snatch a last-minute winner. “They came in with fresh legs and we created these chances,” Weiler added. “We were closer to the winning goal at the end". Ultimately, despite Atlanta’s dominance in possession, it was D.C. United who looked more dangerous in the closing stages, walking away with a valuable road point and extending their unbeaten run. Three Points Defensive Discipline: D.C. United held Atlanta scoreless despite facing sustained possession and recording their second clean sheet of the season. Turner’s Season Debut: Midfielder Gavin Turner, 23rd homegrown signing for D.C., made his first appearance of the 2026 campaign, coming off the bench in the 78th minute for Jackson Hopkins and logging 12 minutes. Positive Results on the Road: For the second consecutive away match, D.C. United earned a positive result while holding 35% or less possession. They now sit at 1-1-1 on the road, collecting 4 out of a possible 9 points. Starting XI D.C. United (4-2-3-1): Johnson; Hefti, Bartlett (C), Rowles, Kurokawa; Hopkins (Turner 79’), Peltola; Servania (Nealis 90’), Pirani (Kijima 79’), Peglow (Clark 68’); Baribo Atlanta United (4-3-3): Hoyos; Jacob, Gregersen, Mihaj, Baez (Amador 89’); Sánchez (Alzate 66’), Muyumba, Galarza (Lobzhanidze 75’); Miranchuk (Picault 89’), Latte Lath, Almirón Scoring Summary D.C. United: None Atlanta United: None Misconduct Summary Atlanta United: Muyumba (yellow) 61’ D.C. United: Bartlett (yellow) 70’ Gavin Turner, 23rd homegrown signing for D.C., made his first 2026 appearance, recording 12 minutes.

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.

# 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.

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.