Unions Schedule Crowds Up as Champions League Dates Confirmed
In the 2020 MLS season, the Philadelphia Union won the Supporters Shield for having the most points in the regular season. With the accomplishment, the club clinched their first-ever trip to the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League.
The Dates
Last week, the dates were released for the draw and all legs:
Draw: February 10
Round of 16: April 6-8 (First leg), April 13-15 (second leg)
Quarter-Finals: April 27-29 (first leg), May 4-6 (second leg)
Semifinals: August 10-12 (First leg) August 24-26 (second leg)
FInal: October 26-28 (single leg)
With the dates set, the Union can begin preparing for a very busy schedule in the coming months. While the MLS has no confirmed return date yet for the 2021 season, at some point the MLS and Champions League schedules are going to run side by side for the Union. The strength of their bench is going to be tested. Not to mention the possibility of the US Open Cup returning this year after being cancelled last year. No matter what 2021 is shaping up to be a packed year for the Union.
How Far Can They Go?
MLS teams haven’t exactly had a great success in the CONCACAF Champions League. Most years its dominated by Mexico’s LIGA MX. This doesn’t mean MLS teams don’t make runs. Most recently teams such as Atlanta United and LAFC made deep runs, but ultimately LIGA MX has been coming out on top. MLS just is not on the same level as Mexicos top division yet. While the Union arent expected to win the whole thing, this is a great opportunity to grow the brand of the club. The club is going to get a great chance at bringing exposure to the team to not only attract future players and fans, but to also play teams that are going to challenge them like they have never before. And you never know when a team can get hot and shock a tournament.
No matter the outcome of the games, just getting to this point is a huge step in the right direction. If the Union find a healthy balance of all the competition they face this year, the club could see their names in the Champions League draw often. This is the first big test to see if the team is able to live up to the fan bases expectations, and stay consistently at the top of American soccer. Only time will tell.
Featured Image: Wes Shepherd/PhiladelphiaSportsNation
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Categorized:Union