Union facing a test vs. Club América in Concacaf Champions Cup
New left back Philippe Ndinga will be available for selection on Tuesday night at Subaru Park, Union manager Bradley Carnell says.
After starting their Major League Soccer season with three straight losses, the Union will get their toughest test of the young season Tuesday night as Club América comes to Chester for the first game of a two-match series.
The Union and the Mexico City-based team will face off in the Concacaf Champions Cup round of 16 game at 7 p.m. at Subaru Park (FS2).
The Union are still searching for their first points in MLS play, but two convincing defeats of Trinidadian team Defence Force FC in the opening round of the Champions Cup secured the club its spot in the round of 16.
The Union are expecting a full crowd on Tuesday with a substantial contingent of visiting fans, as it was when the Union hosted Club América for the first time in 2021.
In addition to being one of the most followed clubs in Mexico, Club América is also arguably the most successful Liga MX team. Club América has won 16 league titles, the most by any team in Liga MX, with its most recent title coming in 2024.
But despite its size and historical success, Club América has struggled in Liga MX play this season. The team has lost three of its last five matches and is fifth in the league standings.
Club América beat Honduran side CD Olimpia, 2-1, on aggregate in the opening round of the Champions Cup to earn its place in the round of 16.
“We always want to challenge ourselves against the best and we know what stature Club América brings to the table,” Union manager Bradley Carnell said. “I think you can see, with the away fans, in terms of the crowd and the sellout and what have you. It’s an amazing opportunity for us to showcase what we’ve been working on.”
Carnell is tasked with navigating a quick turnaround after the Union’s 1-0 home loss to the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday.
It’s a new challenge for Carnell, who guided the Union through only one Cup competition last season, the U.S. Open Cup. This year, the Union will compete in two competitions outside of MLS play: the Champions Cup and the Leagues Cup, which will begin in August.
“It’s always a challenge,” Carnell said. “Through the very first day of preseason, you’re thinking about whatever that first date was against Defence Force. Everything’s there on the back end, and then also, don’t forget about the acquisitions that we’ve had arriving at different times. That’s been its own journey.”
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In good news for the Union, Carnell confirmed in a news conference on Monday that new left back Philippe Ndinga will be available for selection on Tuesday night.
The Union signed Ndinga in February to replace longtime left back Kai Wagner, who departed for the English Championship in the offseason.
Inconsistency across the back four, and at left back, was one of the Union’s biggest challenges over their first three league games. Now, with Ndinga on the active roster, Carnell should have more answers at left back and across the defensive unit.
“Philippe has joined us,” Carnell said. “[He] had a couple days of training. We feel we’re in a way better spot now as a group, collectively.”
While the inclusion of Ndinga should mend the Union’s biggest issue in the defensive third, Carnell’s side still needs to create higher quality chances to be successful against Club América.
Despite outshooting their opponents in all three of their MLS games, the Union have yet to score a goal from open play. Their only goal of the season came from the penalty spot in the 89th minute of a 2-1 loss to New York City FC.
Agustín Anello, a forward the Union signed at the end of training camp, said the team’s attacking line is working on becoming more comfortable playing alongside one another. Newcomers Anello and Ezekiel Alladoh have both played in attack for the Union this season alongside Milan Iloski and Bruno Damiani.
“It’s an everyday thing,” Anello said. “The guys have accepted me, of course, from the first day. It’s just getting to know each other. … The game [Tuesday] is also getting to know us better, finding that momentum to start connecting, in the field, outside the field."
The Union have been more successful on attack in the Champions Cup, scoring 12 goals across two games in the opening-round series with Defence Force. Club América’s defense will provide a much tougher test than the Trinidadian champions, but Carnell is optimistic that his side can get on the score sheet.
“We’re going to have our hands full, we’re going to be pinned back at times,” Carnell said. “They’re a possession team and they’re very dangerous in their individual quality and with their one vs. one ability. This is going to be a group, collective, performance that gives us a shot at making a real run at the game and hopefully getting a vital W here at home against a very good team.”
The Union will travel to Mexico City for the second leg of the series on March 18. América typically plays its home games at Estadio Azteca, but because the stadium is undergoing renovations ahead of the World Cup, América will host the Union at Estadio de la Ciudad de los Deportes.
The setup of the Champions Cup gives the Union an extra incentive to win at home. If the combined score is still tied after the two teams meet in Mexico City, the team that scored more goals as visitor will advance to the quarterfinals.
“We feel we’re in a good way,” Carnell said. “We feel physically that guys are getting up to the demands of what the congestion requires. It’s another moment to get cracking on all cylinders here, which puts us in a good place for the league. It puts us in a good space to continue our run in the Concacaf Champions Cup.”