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CONCACAF Champions League Matchday: Atlas F.C. vs Philadelphia Union

By Nick Butler

Apr 4, 2023; Chester, PA, USA; Atlas FC defender Gaddi Aguirre (13) blocks a shot from Philadelphia Union forward Julian Carranza (9) in the second half at Subaru Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 4, 2023; Chester, PA, USA; Atlas FC defender Gaddi Aguirre (13) blocks a shot from Philadelphia Union forward Julian Carranza (9) in the second half at Subaru Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports /
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Leg 2 of the Quarterfinals for the CONCACAF Champions League between Atlas F.C. of the Ligue MX and the Philadelphia Union of the MLS is set to take place in Mexico at the Estadio Jalisco. The Union are currently holding a 1-0 lead in aggregate. The Union can win this if they either win a clean sheet or outscoring their opponent. Pushing for an early goal is going to be important because of the away goal tie breaker and if this game were to end 2-1, the Union would still move on due to having the 1 away goal. Philadelphia head coach, Jim Curtin, has been trying different lineups and formations.

The Philadelphia Union will be coming off of a 1-0 loss to the MLS Eastern Conference leading Cincinnati F.C. on Saturday. The Union are going to have to turn around quickly and forget about the 1-0 loss to Cincinnati. The Union started the game with six different changes to their starting lineup. Obviously, Jim Curtin will most likely have the Starting XI be as close as possible to the normal starting XI that is typically fielded throughout most of MLS play. As for the formation, I am not sure what they will run. It might be a similar formation to that of the Cincinnati game, a 5-3-2.

The Union did dominate for most of the match against Atlas. Daniel Gazdag ended up getting a late PK which he was able to put the game away and give the Union a lead going into the 2nd leg of this Quarterfinal round. A win could do wonders for the Union moving forward. Especially if Jim Curtin could string some games together with consistent lineup. Obviously bringing home the clubs second trophy is more important than a couple games early on in the season.

Atlas is coming into this game after a 1-1 draw in Liga MX play. Atlas is still having issues with goal scoring and will ultimately have a tough time losing two key players for this 2nd leg. With a red card given to Anderson Santamaría going into the half and a yellow card given to Brian Lozano will be a game changer for this match. . Lozano has 5 goals for Atlas in Liga MX play this season and is second on the team in goal scoring. Santamaría is a good defensive back for Atlas and they will miss him in the back field. Camillo Vergas was also extremely huge for Atlas making some big saves against the Union.

The Union just need to get out to a lead early and do exactly what they did in the first match. If they can duplicate their performance in the 1st leg at Subaru Park, then they should be fine. Atlas however came back from a 4-0 deficit against Olimpia and did it at home. They ended up winning in PKs. The Union need to be aggressive but also smart.

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