CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Philadelphia Union vs LAFC: MLS Cup final rematch in the CONCACAF Champions League semi-finals
Philadelphia Union will play Los Angeles FC tonight in a repeat of perhaps the most dramatic MLS Cup final ever.
A goal from Argentinian forward Julián Carranza sealed Philadelphia Union’s passage into the semi-finals of the 2023 CONCACAF Champions League at the expense of Atlas. The Liga MX side had managed to level the tie by half-time in Wednesday’s second leg but were ultimately unable to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first match at Subaru Park.
Carrazna’s strike, his second of the game, set up a rerun of one of the most dramatic MLS Cup finals of all-time; Philadelphia Union vs Los Angeles FC.
LAFC beat the Union in MLS Cup thriller in 2022
The semi-final match-up will offer Jim Curtin’s men the chance to gain revenge for a painful defeat in the showpiece game of the 2022 MLS season. The Union looked set to win their first ever MLS Cup when LAFC goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau was sent off and Jack Elliott put the Philadelphia side 3-2 ahead at the end of extra time.
But deep into added time the 10 men of LAFC rallied and Gareth Bale headed in the most dramatic equalisers in the 128th minute of a pulsating final. LAFC then secured their first ever MLS Cup with a penalty shootout victory.
Steve Cherundolo’s side made history with their first MLS title and they have started this campaign in impressive form. LAFC are the only side in either conference who remain undefeated this season.
When are the CONCACAF Champions League semi-finals?
The first leg of the semi-finals will be played at Philadelphia’s Subaru Park on Wednesday 26 April.
The second leg will follow a week later, on Tuesday 2 May at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.
Why are Philadelphia hosting the first leg?
CONCACAF Champions League rules for the semi-finals mean that the team that has performed the best in the previous rounds of the competitions will play the second leg at home.
LAFC have posted three wins and a defeat in their four matches so far, earning nine points, while the Union’s two victories and two draws gives them eight points. As a result, the first leg will be played at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania, with the return match following in Los Angeles.
Who will play in the other semi-final?
In the other semi-final, Mexican club Tigres beat fellow Liga MX side Club León 2-1 in the first leg of their Concacaf Champions League semi-final.
The second leg will be played on Thursday, 4 May.