Club América beats Philadelphia Union 0-1 in first leg of Concacaf Champions Cup round of 16

March 10, 2026

Chester, PA

The Philadelphia Union is loathe to lose a soccer game at home.  Technically, Tuesday evening was a 0-1 home loss, but the Subaru Park stands were so devoid of the Blue and Gold that it felt like a Club América home game in the first leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup round of 16.

After trouncing Defence Force 0-5 and 7-0 in the first round of Champions Cup, the Union faced a formidable foe in Club América in the round of 16.  In fact, having played Club América twice prior in 2021, Philadelphia has never prevailed over the storied club.

The first half belonged to Club América, who was the stronger and better side.  The game’s lone goal occurred in the 20th minute.  Club América’s Brian Rodríguez advanced on the left side of the field and passed right to an unmarked Raphael Veiga.  Veiga settled the pass and shot off his left foot into the top left corner of the goal.

The Philadelphia Union tried to level the score in the second half, but only one of the team’s twelve shots for the game was on target.

The bad news for Club América was the injury to its starting keeper, Luis Ángel Malagón. Malagón suffered a non-contact Achilles tendon rupture during the game, which surely will sideline him for a significant period of time.

Photographs of the game appear below:

Club América’s Aaron Mejia keeping the ball in bounds.Philadelphia’s Augustín Anello running hard for the ball. Philadelphia’s Nate Harriel defending Brian Rodríguez Alejandro Zendejas moving the ball toward the Philadelphia Union goal.Club América’s Israel Reyes using his leg to hold back Anello. Philadelphia’s Bruno Damiani air-bound on a fast break, only to have a hand-ball called moments later.The physically gifted Olwethu Makhanya flying well above Patricio Salas on a header.Philadelphia’s Damiani pressing forward toward the Club América goal.