Philadelphia Union and Colorado Rapids fight for Concacaf Champions Cup spot

This Sunday, August 25, Subaru Park will host one of the most anticipated soccer games on the North American continent in 2023. No, it is not a championship final; however, the third-place match between Philadelphia Union and Colorado Rapids bears more significance than the name "third place" would suggest. That is because what will be on the line here will be the right to play in the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup. For Philadelphia Union, this means keeping an impressive streak going. For Colorado Rapids, it all points toward a victorious return to the continental stage.

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The Journey So Far: A Path of Resilience and Challenges

So, to really understand what's at stake here, we have to rewind and review Philadelphia Union and Colorado Rapids' campaigns in this year's Leagues Cup. Maybe one of the most compelling storylines is how much these teams had to scrap to get through: overcoming adversity, beating strong opponents en route to the top.

However, the Rapids went on to make a remarkable run, knocking out four Liga MX sides—no MLS team has ever done that in the tournament's history. But maybe the most exciting win was the quarterfinal match, where Colorado had the better of the top-seeded Club América. Their dream of reaching the final was hit hard by LAFC in the semifinals with a 4-0 thrashing.

It wasn't a cakewalk for Philadelphia Union either. After coming out victorious from a nail-biter against Charlotte FC and fighting out a draw with Cruz Azul, the Union showed their might in the knockout rounds by defeating CF Montréal, FC Cincinnati, and Mazatlán FC. However, in a repeat of what happened to Rapids, Union saw their final hopes dashed when they lost 3-1 to Columbus Crew.

The Head-to-Head: What to Expect?

Now, these two juggernauts meet in a game that definitely cannot be underrated. The winner will secure more than a bronze medal—precisely the right to represent their city and fans in the Concacaf Champions Cup, the premier club tournament in the region.

Union will take the pitch with the weight of their streak of continental tournament appearances riding on this one. Should they win, it would be the third consecutive appearance in the Champions Cup—the main event that continues to cement them as a rising force in North American soccer. Additionally, there is word of the return of Tai Baribo, the team's top scorer in the Leagues Cup, which infuses even more belief in Jim Curtin's outfit not to disappoint in front of their home fans.

On the other side, Rapids, under the leadership of Chris Armas, come into this game in redemption pursuit following the gut-wrenching loss to LAFC. The team showed immense progress under the watch of Armas from bottom placement in the Western Conference table in 2023 to fighting for a top position in 2024. An addition of Zack Steffen—the Manchester City goalkeeper—further raised the level of the team with aspirations to again compete in international competition.

A Match with a Feel of Final

This match has everything that could give it the feel of a final: the rivalry between the two teams, the desire to atone for disappointing semifinals, and, of course, the spot in the Concacaf Champions Cup.

Union's coach, Jim Curtin, knows what is at stake and already stressed the line of not underestimating the opponent in a recent interview, saying, "Rapids didn't get here by accident. They are a team that has overcome great adversities and we must be prepared for anything." Indeed, underestimation of Rapids can prove to be a fatal mistake, more so considering their recent fine victories against Liga MX teams.

On his part, Chris Armas insisted that Rapids would go full force onto the field. "This is our chance to show that Colorado is back on the continental soccer map. We are playing for something big." Armas expressed underlining just how great of a game this was going to be for his club in the future.
What's at Stake?

The stakes are large, off-field. A win will further cement Philadelphia Union's reputation as one of the rising forces in MLS and secure another standout season in the Concacaf Champions Cup. For Colorado Rapids, victory would represent not just a return to continental competition but also the culmination of a rebuilding process that began with Chris Armas' arrival.

This will be a high-pressure game; so much is at stake for each team. The intensity of Union's fans will make Subaru Park a real fortress, and the Rapids will at least try to silence the opposing crowd with an inspired performance. Both teams have the kind of talented players on the pitch and experienced coaches on the sidelines to get the job done.