One week ago, the Philadelphia Union entered the Leagues Cup hoping to make a splash in the tournament. Losing to Cruz Azul in their first match, 1-0, made that a bit of a long shot. However, after a 3-1 win over Necaxa on Sunday and some results going their way, Philly’s odds to make the quarterfinals are still alive heading into the final day of Phase One as they face Liga MX side Santos Laguna.
Aug 6, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Cruz Azul forward Jose Paradela (20) scores a goal against the Philadelphia Union in the first half during the Leagues Cup Phase One match at Subaru Park.
Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
What needs to happen for the Union to make the Leagues Cup quarterfinals?
Heading into the final matchday of Phase One, the Union sat on three points with a plus-one goal differential. With matches on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, Philly’s path to advancing was murky.
Starting things off on the first night of matchday three, the Union needed Columbus Crew, Charlotte FC, FC Cincinnati, and Real Salt Lake to drop points. The Crew drew with Pumas, but beat them in PKs to move their total up to eight points. Charlotte and Cincy both lost to Pachuca and Atlas, respectively, putting them on six points and goal differences of plus-four (Charlotte) and plus-three (Cincy). RSL dominated Juarez to move their point total to seven points.
Philadelphia Union defender Nate Harriel celebrates scoring a goal vs Necaxa in Leagues Cup play
Image Provided / Philadelphia Union
Wednesday night, the Union knew that if FC Dallas and LAFC won in regulation, there would be no path for them to make the knockout rounds. Dallas went to Toluca and lost 3-1, while LAFC drew with Querétaro 1-1, but won the PK shootout for an extra point in the standings. This puts LA in pole position to make the knockouts barring results on the final day, but that fourth-place spot is still very much up for grabs.
Coming into today, the Union know that if they win against Santos Laguna by four or more goals, they could take that last spot. However, these scenarios would also need to play out:
- A Chicago Fire loss vs Cruz Azul
- An Austin FC loss vs Club América
- NYCFC not beating Necaxa by four or more goals
- Portland Timbers not beating Tijuana by four or more goals.
It’s still a long shot, for sure, but could we actually see this Philadelphia Union team make the quarterfinals of Leagues Cup after the odds were stacked against them in their opening-game loss?
Philadelphia Union midfielder Cavan Sullivan scores his first-ever Leagues Cup goal vs Necaxa
Image Provided / Philadelphia Union
Catch the final night of Leagues Cup Phase One on Apple TV
If you can’t make it down to Subaru Park tonight to witness the Union try to make this long shot a reality, you can catch the action on Apple TV. The match kicks off at 7 pm ET, which is the first of the five matches to start that night since all of them matter for Philly’s hopes. Here’s a rundown of the matches and when they start tonight.
- Philadelphia Union vs Santos Laguna | 7 pm ET
- NYCFC vs Necaxa | 7:30 pm ET
- Club América vs Austin FC | 8:30 pm ET
- Cruz Azul vs Chicago Fire | 9 pm ET
- Portland Timbers vs Tijuana | 10:30 pm ET
Can the Union pull off this crazy feat with help from other MLS teams falling short on this final matchday of Leagues Cup Phase One? Tune in to find out!