Match Recap: Philadelphia Union Dominate Defence Force FC 5-0 in CONCACAF Champions Cup Opener
Debuts Impress and Damiani Brace Seals Rout in Trinidad
Just as they did to open the 2025 MLS season with four goals against Orlando City, the Philadelphia Union exploded for five goals in their 2026 campaign opener, defeating Trinidad and Tobago’s Defence Force FC 5-0 in the first leg of their Concacaf Champions Cup Round One tie.
Head coach Bradley Carnell deployed an experimental lineup for this first competitive match of the year, giving 20-year-old goalkeeper Andrew Rick his Concacaf Champions Cup debut in goal. The backline featured midfielder Jeremy Rafanello at right back, Frankie Westfield at left back, and a centerback pairing of Nathan Harriel and Olwethu Makhanya.
In midfield, Jesús Bueno stepped in for the injured Jovan Lukic (rib issue), alongside Danley Jean Jacques, captain Alejandro Bedoya, and Milan Iloski. Up top, Stas Korzeniowski and Ezekiel Alladoh led the line, with both making their club debuts.
The Union took a 2-0 lead into halftime. Milan Iloski opened the scoring in the 30th minute with a superb free-kick goal after Jesús Bueno drew a foul from Tyrese Bailey. Minutes later, Ezekiel Alladoh headed home a cross from Frankie Westfield to notch his first career goal for the Union in his debut appearance.
Olwethu Makhanya extended the lead to 3-0 in the 64th minute, heading in a corner kick from Iloski, who was later named Concacaf’s “Superior Player of the Match” for his goal and assist.
“It’s a very positive result. You know, we wanted to start off in a first competitive match well,” Iloski told Concacaf post-match. “So to get a clean sheet and, you know, five goals is a great performance and, you know, one step closer to the next round.”
Carnell made five second-half substitutions at various points, introducing Japhet Sery Larsen, Cavan Sullivan, Bruno Damiani, Finn Sundstrom, and Indiana Vassilev.
Sullivan provided the assist for Damiani’s first goal of the night in the 69th minute. The 16-year-old Sullivan then won a penalty, which Damiani converted in the 81st minute to seal the 5-0 scoreline.
The clean sheet was significant: it marked the Union’s eighth shutout in 17 all-time Concacaf Champions Cup matches, their first since a 0-0 draw against Pachuca on March 5, 2024, at Subaru Park.
Iloski explained post-match that the early goal unlocked the team’s performance.
“We felt a lot more comfortable after the first goal and it allowed us to play a bit more free and a bit more open,” he said. “We knew it was going to be a tough challenge coming here and playing in a tough environment. But, you know, once we got the first goal, we settled into the game a little bit and then took control from there.”
It was also revealed during the match that Jesús Bueno faced visa issues entering Trinidad and Tobago, arriving only at lunchtime on game day—yet he still started and contributed effectively.
Perhaps as crucially as the scoreline, the Union emerged without major injuries. Frankie Westfield appeared to tweak his hamstring mid-game but recovered to play 82 minutes before being substituted.
The Union now return to Philadelphia before traveling to D.C. on Friday ahead of their MLS season opener against D.C. United on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET.
(Note: Audio issues during Bradley Carnell’s post-game press conference made his comments difficult to transcribe accurately, so they are not included here.)
Video Credit: Concacaf/FS2
It was great to see all the rotation and experiment with Rafa at right back. My big worry is when Lukic and / or Danley are out I think we are seriously lacking. Bueno does not inspire. Passes backwards a little much for my liking and just feels meh when watching him. Sullivan is growing up and I thought he was fantastic! Loved that he tried to take a shot from right outside the box. We need players not afraid to pull the trigger other than Milan.