Union Open Concacaf Champions Cup With Easy Win

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(Photo Courtesy of Concacaf)

It’s safe to say the Philadelphia Union preseason has been extended another few days.

Milan Iloski and Ezekiel Alladoh jumped on Defense Force FC early, Bruno Damiani added a second-half brace, and the Union steamrolled the Trinidad and Tobago club 5-0 in their national stadium, all but securing their place in the Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16.

The Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain, home to one of U.S. Soccer’s worst moments in history, played host to more comedy than tragedy Wednesday night as the Union dominated the Round One first leg from whistle to whistle. The Union, coming off a monthlong preseason in Marbella, Spain and Clearwater, Florida, faced stiffer competition from USLC side Tampa Bow Rowdies and 2024 MLS doormats CF Montréal in their previous two friendlies.

The Union qualified for the CCC as the 2025 MLS Supporters’ Shield winners while Defense Force FC qualified via a third place finish in the Caribbean Cup. The two-time Concacaf Champions Cup winners lead the current TTT Premier League season.

Aware of his team’s loaded schedule to start the season, which entails four games in twelve days, Union coach Bradley Carnell started a mixed lineup that included Stas Korzeniowski at striker alongside Alladoh, Alejandro Bedoya as the right ten, opposite Iloski, Jeremy Rafanello at right outside back opposite Frankie Westfield, Jesus Bueno in the center with Danley Jean Jacques, and Andrew Rick in goal.

It didn’t take long for the Union to get going. Alladoh’s attempted bike from distance in the game’s second minute was a sign the Union were content with testing Defense keeper Isiah Williams early. Though the Union needed some time to adjust to the field conditions and their rugged opponent, Iloski broke the game open in the 30th minute with a curling free kick from just outside the box that left Williams no chance. Iloski, who joined the Union midway through the 2025 season, only scored 3 goals for the Union, but had opened his campaign with San Diego with a blistering 10 goals in 14 games.

The Union doubled their lead minutes later when Westfield picked out Alladoh with an early service from the left, and Alladoh’s surging header beat Williams despite the keeper’s best effort to keep the ball out. Westfield’s assist with his left foot likely put Union fans at ease after losing All-Star Kai Wagner in the offseason.

Once the second half began, the Union continued to control play and were cruising toward victory, however, with the second leg to be played at Subaru Park next Thursday, goal differential played a role in that comfort. The Union extended their lead in the 64th minute when Olewethu Makhnaya scored a header off Iloski’s corner. The young South African defender outleaped the crowd and drove a forceful header through Williams’ hands and into the back of the net.

The Union made several changes midway through the second half, among them Damiani for Korzenioski and 16-year-old Cavan Sullivan for Iloski, who kept the Union pressure on to extend their goal advantage into the second leg. Sullivan created a spark down the left, and deep run into the box and cut-back pass in the 69thminute found Damiani in front of goal for a settle and finish to push the Union lead to 4-0.

Sullivan created more havoc for the hosts in the 78th minute when he penetrated deep into their right-side defense before being pulled down. Damiani converted the ensuing penalty to make it 5-0

A late red card to Joevin Jones didn’t help the hosts any as they’ll now travel to Chester next week for the second leg, chasing a nearly insurmountable deficit. The Union have Club América waiting in the shadows. The Mexico City-based club is already through after dispatching Club Olimpia 2-1 on aggregate. Club América defeated the Union 4-0 agg in the 2021 CCC semifinals.

In the meantime, the Union will open their MLS Season Saturday on the road when they face D.C. United at Audi Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 pm EST. All MLS games are now part of Apple TV’s regular lineup.

 

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