The Familiar Path for the Union’s Leagues Cup Hopes
The group stage of the Leagues Cup is now completed. The Union cruised to a first-place finish in their group.
With the Union’s quarter of the bracket set, it is clear what their path forward is. Whether it is good or bad, the Union knows what is coming. And yes, a date with Lionel Messi could be on the table.
The Union did not struggle against Queretaro or Club Tijuana of LIGA MX. Over the extent of the entire group stage, MLS really took it to LIGA mx. Of course, LIGA MX giants like Monterrey and Tigres are still beasts of the continent, but MLS shows they can hang with the big dogs now.
Just look at Columbus Crew thumping Club America 4-0 to win their group. This tournament is anyone’s to win, and it is evident every team left is taking it seriously.
No Surprises for the Union Ahead
One of the whole points of this new Leagues Cup tournament was to have rare matchups of LIGA MX teams and MLS teams. That will not be the case for the Union, at least not until the quarterfinals. The Union’s round of 32 matchups is against DC United. The i95 rivals play twice a year. If the Union get past them, they play the winner of NYCFC vs New York Red Bulls. Once again, two MLS rivals, the Union, play twice yearly.
Looking at the other side of their quartered bracket, it is more of the same. Should the Union make it to the quarterfinals, they will play one of New England, Atlas FC, Queretaro, or Pumas. New England is another MLS rival. The Union shared the group stage with Queretaro and clashed with Atlas FC just a few months ago in the CONCACAF Champions League.
If the Union want to see some new faces, it will have to be if Pumas meet them in the quarterfinals. Pumas is a strong team that can very well win the whole thing. It would be a great matchup for the Union. However, it is unfortunate the Union are getting the same teams they always face in this tournament.
Why Are the Union Playing the Same Teams?
The reason the Union is seeing the same faces is the same reason this tournament winner will have an asterisk. This tournament was planned in regions, and no games are being held in Mexico. The tournament was built in regions to make scheduling less of a headache. At least for the Union, they are the top-seeded team in the Eastern region.
They are actually the second top-seeded team in the entire tournament. Only MLS Cup winners LAFC have hosting priority over the Union. So, if the Union plays anyone other than LAFC, the game will be held at Subaru Park.
No games in Mexico do feel like a favor skewed toward MLS teams. In all fairness, most MLS clubs probably don’t fair well on the road in Mexico. The top MLS teams would likely not stand a chance against top Mexican teams. We see it every year in CCL. There is a reason Mexico wins it practically every year.
However, that is all out of the Union’s control. Whether they are playing the same teams or not, the road through the East goes through Subaru Park. If LAFC loses and the Union keeps going, the whole tournament does.
A Date With Lionel Messi?
It is no secret that Lionel Messi has come to Inter Miami and has taken the last-placed team and propelled them to title contention. Messi and Miami have already punched their ticket to the round of 16. While they aren’t in the Union’s quarter of the bracket, they would face off in a potential semifinal at Subaru Park.
Should that happen, Union fans won’t have to wait until next year to see the Argentinian legend. However, that is still far down the road, and the Union needs to focus on getting to the round of 16. the Union may match up with the same teams they always do, but that is just more pressure to get this done.
Reinforcement on the Way
It was yet another quiet transfer window for the Union. However, they made one move that could be a big one. They announced yesterday they had completed the signing of Tai Baribo. Baribo is a physical striker and the third striker they have been yearning for since the departure of Cory Burke.
While Baribo will certainly be the third striker in the depth chart upon first arrival, the price dictates that is not the future plan. Baribo’s fee would be the third most significant transfer behind Uhre and Gazdag.
Whether this is to plan for Julian Carranza’s departure or not, it seems the Union has found the striker of the seasons to come.
Photo: Wes Shepherd/PHLSportsnation
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