Veiga hands Club América lead over Philadelphia Union | OneFootball

CHESTER, Pa. – The 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup continued with Club América earning a 1-nil win over Philadelphia Union in the First Leg of their Round of 16 series on Tuesday at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania, USA. 

Raphael Veiga found the opener for Club América in the 20’, as the Brazilian midfielder capped off a fantastic build up with a left-footed rocket to the top-left corner. Brian Rodríguez picked up the assist with an individual effort to break into the box.

Club América were forced to make a change at goalkeeper as Luis Malagón exited to injury in the 42’ and Rodolfo Cota, a two-time Concacaf Champions Cup winner, stepped in for the remainder of the match.

Philadelphia Union pushed in search of the equalizer throughout the second half and generated several dangerous chances in the final stages. In the 85’, an attempt from Milan Iloski from inside the box was blocked by América’s backline, while a shot from Indiana Vassilev from the top of the box in the 86’, after a ball recovery in the opponent’s third, was wide to the left. 

Club América will host the Second Leg of the series next Wednesday at Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes in Mexico City, Mexico. The winner on aggregate will advance to the Quarterfinals. 

Post-Match Data

• Club América has won each of its last three Concacaf Champions Cup away matches against MLS opposition, outscoring them 7-0 in those games. Prior to this run, América had won only one of its previous four away matches against MLS teams in the competition (D2 L1).

• Raphael Veiga (Club América) scored his first goal in the Concacaf Champions Cup and became the third-oldest Brazilian to score in the competition since at least 2017, at 30 years and 264 days. Only Rogério with Pumas in 2022 (31 years, 62 days) and Rafael Carioca with Tigres in 2020 (31 years, 181 days) were older.

• Rodolfo Cota entered the match at 38 years and 250 days, becoming the oldest player to appear in a Concacaf Champions Cup match for Club América since at least 2016.

• Brian Rodríguez recorded his 24th assist for Club América in Concacaf competitions since joining the club in 2022. Las Águilas have lost only two matches in which he has provided an assist (W15 D5).

• Philadelphia outperformed América in expected goals (1.7 to 0.6) but failed to convert. The last time they posted a higher xG in the Concacaf Champions Cup without scoring also came against Las Águilas in 2021 (2.3 xG).

• With an average age of 22 years and 239 days, Philadelphia fielded the youngest starting XI by an MLS team in the Concacaf Champions Cup since at least 2012.