More fireworks expected as Saprissa pay visit to Union

MIAMI, Florida – More fireworks can be expected on Tuesday night at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania, as the Philadelphia Union of MLS welcome in Costa Rican giants Deportivo Saprissa for the second leg of their 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup Round One series.

Last week’s first leg in Costa Rica was one to remember, as Philadelphia rallied from a 1-0 deficit to score three straight goals, all courtesy of Julian Carranza. However, a late Saprissa score resulted in a thrilling finish and a 3-2 final scoreline in favor of Philadelphia, making for an intriguing setup for the second leg on Tuesday.

The win for the Union was their third straight against Saprissa in the Champions Cup, with Carranza becoming the first Union player to score a hat-trick in a Champions Cup match. He also tied Kacper Przybylko for the most Champions Cup goals by a Union player with five.

Aiding the cause was Daniel Gazdag, who served as the primary playmaker in the first leg with two assists, while GK Andre Blake made two saves and a clearance against the Ticos.

Saprissa are always up for any challenge in Concacaf competition, and Tuesday night will be no different. But if they are to turn the tables, they will need to register their first away win in Champions Cup play in 14 matches (5D-9L).

The Costa Ricans will need players like Mariano Torres, Luis Paradela and Gerald Taylor to produce the same amount of pressure on the Philadelphia defense as they did in the first leg. Torres completed 43 of 50 passes while taking two shots, while Paradela assisted on Taylor’s crucial goal, Saprissa’s second of the night.

Either way, another classic Concacaf encounter with two high-flying attacks is expected.

Match Officials Philadelphia Union (USA) vs Deportivo Saprissa (CRC)

REF:         SELVIN BROWN (Honduras)

AR1:         GERSON ORELLANA (Honduras)

AR2:         ENMANUEL AGUIRRE (Nicaragua)

4TH:         IVAN BARTON (El Salvador)

VAR:        SAID MARTINEZ (Honduras)

VAR1:      OSCAR MACIAS (Mexico)