Philadelphia Union prevails over Club Necaxa, 3-1 in Leagues Cup

August 9, 2026

Chester, PA

The Philadelphia Union controlled Impulsora del Deportivo Necaxa S.A. de C.V., or Club Necaxa, in Sunday’s  Leagues Cup game, resulting in a Union 3-1 victory.  The game highlighted the return of Philadelphia’s former striker, Julián Carranza, a favorite at Subaru Park, now playing for Club Necaxa.

Despite appearances and the scoreline, Necaxa surpassed Philadelphia in a number of key statistical categories.  Time of possession leaned to Club Necaxa (45% to 55%) as did shots on goal (3 to 9), passes (364 to 458) and, importantly, accurate passes (288 to 373).  But in the scoring category, Philadelphia excelled, with contributions from players who had not scored much this season.

The first goal of the night occurred early on, in the 3rd minute. Philadelphia’s Indiana Vassilev spotted and passed right across the pitch to Cavan Sullivan.  Nate Harriel cut down field and Cavan Sullivan short-passed perfectly to Harriel, who shot on his first touch and scored to the left part of the Necaxa goal.

Then came Bruno Damiani in the 12th minute.  Damiani, a striker who has played the third most minutes among the Union’s field players after Harriel and Milan Iloski, had not scored in 2026.  Damiani was due.  Jovan Lukic found a wide open space to pass through to Harriel coming up on the right.  Harriel crossed left to Damiani,  Although initially behind the cross, Damiani sprinted to meet the pass and popped the ball into the goal.

 

Bruno Damiani scoring Philadelphia’s second goal.

The score at half-time was 2-0 in Philadelphia’s favor.

The third Philadelphia goal came from the wunderkind, Cavan Sullivan.  A short word about the improvement of the 16 year-old is in order.  Last year, he was able to keep up with MLS play.  This year, he is driving it.  Sullivan is  making the correct decisions about holding onto or passing the ball.  His shots have been good, although mostly just wide or just off target.  This time, in the 53rd minute, he scored the Union’s third goal. Indiana Vassilev cornered a ball that bounced off of a Necaxa defender in the box.  Vassilev quickly passed right to Cavan Sullivan, who adeptly shot downward and to the right past the Club Necaxa keeper, Luis Jiménez.

The clean sheet spoiler for Club Necaxa came in the 79th minute.  Just as the Union seemed secure in its three goal advantage, Necaxa scored. Carlos Vargas was bringing the ball down on the left and lofted a long looping pass right directly onto the feet of Matías Espíndola. Espíndola quickly shot to the lower left of Philadelphia’s keeper, Andrew Rick, and the Mexican side was no longer scoreless.  Philadelphia held onto the 3-1 final score.

Photographs of the game appear below:

 

Philadelphia’s Indiana Vassilev sliding for the ball against Necaxa’s Matías Espíndola. Philadelphia Union fans applauded the return of Julián Carranza, even if sporting the wrong colors.Quinn Sullivan, who started against Cruz Azul, looked strong against Necaxa.Cavan Sullivan, turning heads as he drives to the Necaxa goal.Philadelphia’s Milan Iloski slowing down the game with Necaxa’s Alexis Peña trailing.Philadelphia’s Ezekiel Alladoh and Cavan Sullivan celebrate Sullivan’s goal.