MIAMI, Florida – The 2023 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League resumes on Tuesday night with a quarterfinal first leg clash between the Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer (MLS) and Liga MX side Atlas at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania.
The Union reached the final eight of the tournaments by eliminating Alianza of El Salvador 4-0 on aggregate in the Round of 16 on the strength of a brace from Andres Perea.
The last time the Union squared off with a Mexican club in the SCCL, they suffered a 4-0 aggregate defeat to Club America in the 2021 edition, so they will be looking to improve against the Guadalajara-based Atlas.
In addition to Perea, Damion Lowe and Quinn Sullivan have had enjoyed a successful SCCL campaigns thus far. Lowe also scored against Alianza and completed 78 passes over the two legs, while Sullivan had an assist.
Atlas are making their SCCL debut in 2023 and it has been a memorable one. The team rallied from a 4-1 deficit in their Round of 16 series against Honduran giants Olimpia and emerged victorious 5-4 on aggregate.
Leading the way was Julian Quinones, who scored two goals and had an assist against Olimpia. Aldo Rocha was also a big factor, completing 132 passes over the two legs, while Julio Furch had a goal to give him six career SCCL goals in eight games.
Game Notes, Stats, Philadelphia Union Atlas
Match Officials:
Referee: Said Martinez (HON)
AR1 Walter Lopez (HON) AR2 Christian Ramirez (HON)
4th Official: Melvin Matamoros (HON)
VAR: Tatiana Guzman (MEX) AVAR1 Selvin Brown (HON)
