Full Breakdown
Union Rebounds with 3-1 Victory Over Necaxa in Leagues Cup
8/10/2026, 2:40:34 PM
Match Summary
On Sunday, August 9 at Subaru Park, the Philadelphia Union defeated Club Necaxa 3–1 in the 2026 Leagues Cup. Cavan Sullivan, the 16-year-old US youth international, played 60 minutes, recorded a goal and an assist, and was directly involved in all three Union goals. Nathan Harriel finished the opening tally from Sullivan’s third-minute assist, and Indiana Vassilev supplied the cross for Sullivan’s 53rd-minute strike. Necaxa’s lone goal came from a set-piece in the second half.
Background & Context
The Union entered the match after a 1-0 loss to Cruz Ázul on August 7, which ended a three-game winning streak that had opened Ryan Richter’s interim tenure. Under Richter, Philadelphia posted a 4-1-0 record across all competitions, improving on the limited minutes the 16-year-old received under former manager Bradley Carnell.
Necaxa arrived in Philadelphia after a 2-0 defeat to Chicago Fire on August 7 and a 3-1 Liga MX loss to Toluca on August 3. Their manager, Martín Varini, was suspended for the Union match after receiving a red card for abusive language in the Chicago game. Varini was appointed on December 8, 2025 at age 35. Both clubs entered the fixture as low seeds (Union #5, Necaxa #22) and needed a win to keep knockout qualification hopes alive.
Data & Statistics
- Final score: Philadelphia Union 3, Club Necaxa 1.
- Cavan Sullivan: 1 goal, 1 assist, 60 minutes played.
- Union recent form (5 matches): 3 wins, 2 losses; 8 goals scored, 9 conceded.
- Necaxa recent form (5 matches): 2 wins, 3 losses; 7 goals scored, 10 conceded.
- Leagues Cup seeding: Union 32nd, Necaxa 31st.
Official Statements & Responses
Ryan Richter praised Sullivan’s contribution, noting the importance of the young midfielder’s goal and overall impact on the team’s performance. Necaxa assistant coach Marcos Villano, standing in for the suspended Varini, highlighted Julián Carranza’s role as the club’s “goleador” and emphasized his ability to drop deep and link play, describing him as “incredibly important” to Necaxa’s style.
Verbatim Quotes
- “He has been dangerous every game and he has been in positions where he is getting his opportunities… but it was really important for him today to get that goal and I was most proud about the type of goal that it was,” — Difference-maker Since Ryan Richter
- “He is a very important player for us: he is our goleador, our center-forward,” — Club Necaxa, at Subaru Park on Sunday night
Implications and Next Steps
The win restores the Union’s chance to advance from group play, but they must secure at least one more positive result to guarantee a knockout berth. Necaxa, meanwhile, remains win-less in the current Leagues Cup and will need a turnaround in their final group match to stay in contention. The return of former Union striker Julián Carranza for Necaxa adds a narrative layer, as he seeks to score against his former club while the Union looks to solidify its resurgence under Richter’s interim leadership.
