Philadelphia Union will open the 2026 Leagues Cup at home against Cruz Azul on Thursday, August 6th, with kickoff set for 8 PM at Subaru Park. The Union come in as the #5 seed, while Cruz Azul arrive as the #4 seed and as Liga MX champions.
For Ryan Richter, this is the kind of fixture that can change how a season feels. Philadelphia have won three straight since he took over as interim manager, and Kai Wagner's return has helped steady the side, but their playoff place is still uncertain. A home match against Cruz Azul gives them a chance to show that the run is more than a brief surge.
Cruz Azul bring more than a title next to their name. They won the 2026 Clausura Liga MX title, added the 2026 Campéon de Campeones, and lifted the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup, a run that pushed them to seven CONCACAF Champions Cup titles and level with Club América at the top of the competition's history. That is the profile Philadelphia face in the opening match of the tournament.
Joel Huiqui is the figure guiding that side now. Installed in the middle of the 2026 Clausura, he stayed unbeaten through six wins and two ties on the way to the league title and then earned the job permanently. José Paradela was central to that push, finishing the Clausura with seven goals and five assists in 23 appearances, adding two goals and an assist in the 3-1 win over Toluca in the Campéon de Campeones. He also had one assist in three league games this season and scored in 44 minutes against the MLS All-Stars.
There are still questions around how Cruz Azul will line up. Jeremy Márquez has two goals and an assist in four appearances this season and has also been used at right back, while Kevin Mier has been the usual starter in goal since arriving in 2024 and was named Best Goalkeeper during the 2025 CCC campaign. Andrés Gudiño started their most recent match, a 2-3 loss to Atlante, leaving Huiqui with one more selection call before the opener.
The match will be carried on Apple TV, FS1 and UniMás, putting a season-opening spotlight on both clubs. Philadelphia are trying to turn a three-match run into something lasting, while Cruz Azul arrive with trophies, depth and expectations that do not pause for a road trip. If the Union want their Leagues Cup to matter, Thursday is where they have to prove the reset is real.
