Philadelphia Union to host Liga MX team for Leagues Cup match on July 21 or 22

Philadelphia Union fans won’t have to leave the state to witness the team’s first competitive international match.

The Union will be hosting a Liga MX team to be announced at Subaru Park in Chester on either July 21 or July 22 for the first round of the 2020 Leagues Cup and as the top MLS seed will host a quarterfinal and semifinal match if they make it that far.

“We are thrilled that last season’s success has put Philadelphia Union in position to be the top seed from MLS in the 2020 Leagues Cup,” Ernst Tanner, Union Sporting Director, said in a news release. “As our club continues to progress, we welcome the opportunity to challenge ourselves against some of the best Liga MX has to offer. We believe this will be an exciting competition that can highlight the quality of soccer being played in Philadelphia and across North America.”

The field has been doubled for the 2020 edition and includes the top MLS teams last season that missed out on qualifying for the Concacaf Champions League: Real Salt Lake, Minnesota United, LA Galaxy, Toronto FC, D.C. United, Portland Timbers and New York Red Bulls.

A draw will determine the match-ups in the Round of 16 and quarterfinal. The date of the draw has not been announced but will take place after the end of the Liga MX season in May.

The Leagues Cup quarterfinals are August 4-5, semifinals August 25-26 and the final September 16 at a U.S. venue.

Cruz Azul won the inaugural cup in 2019, defeating UANL 2-1 in the final in Las Vegas. LA Galaxy was the lone MLS team to advance out of the quarterfinals. Chicago Fire, Houston Dynamo and Real Salt Lake also participated.