MIAMI, Florida – Major League Soccer (MLS) sides Los Angeles FC and Philadelphia Union will kick off what should be an epic semifinal series in the 2023 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League on Wednesday night at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania.
It is only the second time in history that two teams from MLS have squared off in the SCCL semifinals, the first coming just last year between the Seattle Sounders and New York City FC. It is the seventh time that two teams from MLS have faced off in an SCCL knockout round series.
This series also marks a rematch of last year’s MLS Cup Final in which the teams played to a thrilling 3-3 draw, with LAFC taking the title in a penalty shootout after GK John McCarthy came off the bench in the final minutes of extra time and promptly saved three penalty kicks in the shootout to help LAFC secure the title (3-0).
While it will be the first ever SCCL meeting between the two teams, they have played on five separate occasions previously, all in MLS action. LAFC have won once, while the other four resulted in draws.
The visitors from Los Angeles arrive into the series after eliminating Alajuelense of Costa Rica and another MLS side, the Vancouver Whitecaps, in the Round of 16 and quarterfinals, respectively.
Denis Bouanga has been a menace for defenses, with five goals and two assists. Not to be outdone is fellow attacker Carlos Vela, who has three goals in the 2023 SCCL, giving him eight for his career.
Those two players get a wealth of support in midfield from Ilie Sanchez, who leads the team in passes (223) and ball recoveries (11).
While the LAFC attack garners plenty of headlines, the Union have their fair share of dangermen, like Julian Carranza and Daniel Gazdag.
Carranza scored a pair of goals in the quarterfinal victory versus Liga MX side Atlas, while Gazdag scored in the Round of 16 against Alianza of El Salvador and then against Atlas.
Philadelphia also have their own vacuum cleaner in midfield, with Jose Martinez amassing seven ball recoveries in the 2023 SCCL.
With a history of close, high-scoring affairs between the two teams, fans can expect another round of fireworks over these two legs.
Game Notes, Stats Philadelphia Union vs. LAFC
Match Officials
Referee: Cesar Ramos (MEX)
AR1 Alberto Morin (MEX) AR2 Marco Bisguerra (MEX)
4th Official: Marco Ortiz (MEX)
VAR Erick Miranda (MEX)
AVAR1 Guillermo Pacheco (MEX)
