MIAMI, Florida – The 2023 Leagues Cup continued on Saturday with a five-match slate beginning with 2023 Concacaf Champions Cup side the Philadelphia Union topping Club Tijuana of Liga MX 3-1 on the strength of a Julian Carranza brace in East Group 1 action at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania.
There were a pair of penalty shootouts as well on the night. The first came in East Group 2 at Saputo Stadium in Montreal where CF Montreal defeated Pumas 4-2 in the shootout to end the night with two points. At the final whistle it was 2-2 after Pumas mounted a ferocious late two-goal rally to earn the draw and a point.
Penalties were also required at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey in an East Group 4 affair between the New York Red Bulls and the New England Revolution. The Red Bulls took the extra spoils in a 4-2 win in spot kicks after a 0-0 draw.
Real Salt Lake enjoyed a commanding performance in a 3-0 victory at America First Field in Sandy, Utah, against fellow MLS side and 2022 Champions Cup winners the Seattle Sounders to take the top spot in West Group 2.
In West Group 1 the Portland Timbers also collected three points thanks to a 2-0 win versus the San Jose Earthquakes at Providence Park in Portland, Oregon.
More opening matches are slated for Sunday, as Citi Field will be the setting for East Group 3 as New York City FC welcome in Atlas. Both teams have appeared in Concacaf play in the last two years.
TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio will see Central Group 3 begin with FC Cincinnati meeting Sporting Kansas City. It marks the first international match for FC Cincinnati, while Sporting Kansas City last appeared in Concacaf competition in 2019.
Another team new to the international scene, Saint Louis City SC, take on Columbus Crew SC in Central Group 1 at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio. Columbus last featured in the Champions Cup in 2021.
The final all-MLS contest of the night will have Nashville SC welcoming the Colorado Rapids to GEODIS Park in Nashville, Tennessee, in Central Group 4. It is Nashville’s first international match, while Colorado featured in the 2022 Champions Cup.
Wrapping up the action will be Central Group 2 in which Minnesota United of MLS will host Liga MX side Puebla to Allianz Field in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It is the first international match for Minnesota United, while Puebla are seeking a first Champions Cup berth since 1991.
