Philadelphia Union wrapped up their 2026 Leagues Cup run with a 2-0 loss to Liga MX side Santos Laguna at Subaru Park on Thursday evening.
Entering the match with an opportunity to advance as one of the top four MLS teams in Phase One, the Union showcased their depth with eight changes to the Starting XI from Sunday's 3-1 victory over Club Necaxa.
The two sides battled through a scoreless opening 45 minutes before Santos Laguna quickly changed the match after the break. Second-half substitute Ezequiel Bullaude made an immediate impact after entering at halftime, setting up Ramiro Sordo for the opening goal in the 48th minute.
Just three minutes later, Bullaude went from provider to scorer, finding the back of the net in the 51st minute to double Los Guerreros' advantage and leave Philadelphia facing a two-goal deficit.
The Boys in Blue pushed for a response over the remainder of the second half but were unable to find the breakthrough as Santos Laguna saw out the result. The loss brought Philadelphia's Leagues Cup campaign to a close after three Phase One matches, with the Union finishing with a victory over Necaxa and defeats to Cruz Azul and Santos Laguna.
Philadelphia Union returns to MLS action this weekend as they face off against rivals New York City FC on Sunday night. Kick off from Yankee Stadium is set for 6PM ET with coverage on Apple TV.
How The Match Unfolded
LINEUP NOTES
Head Coach Ryan Richter rotated his squad significantly for the team's final Phase One Leagues Cup match against Santos Laguna; Andrew Rick started in net for a third straight, behind a backline featuring Union II's Rafael Uzcategui at right back opposite opposite Ben Bender on the left, with Geiner Martinez and Japhet Sery Larsen paired at centerback.Â
Jesus Bueno sported the captain's armband in the midfield, starting alongside Jeremy Rafanello, Quinn Sullivan, and Agustin Anello. Up top, Richter started Ezekiel Alladoh and Stas Korzeniowski, giving the 23-year-old University of Pennsylvania alum an opportunity after scoring a brace in MLS Next Pro over the weekend.
5', Early opportunity for the Union | Sullivan sent a long pass up the middle to find Alladoh, who took it right and challenged Santo Laguna's keeperÂ
Héctor HolguÃn, forcing a dive. Alladoh dribbled around him for a shot to the near post, but EfraÃn Orona got a foot on it to stifle the effort.
7', Another shot from Alladoh | Alladoh took found another chance two minutes later, but it was blocked by Franco Pardo.
11', Rick save! | Rick saved a powerful shot from outside of the box off a Santos Laguna corner from the foot of Ramiro Sordo.
22', Header chance | 22 minutes into his first Leagues Cup shift, Korzeniowski tried for a header from the center of the box but missed left.Â
26', Santos Laguna yellows | The visitors picked up a pair of yellows in a minute's time, with Salvador Marisca and Kevin Picón both booked.
37', Union free kick | Philly earned a free kick opportunity taken by Anello, but the 24-year-old's attempt to score sailed over.Â
45+2'. Sullivan shot |Â A combination play through the middle from Anello to Sullivan allowed the Homegrown to find a second shot in stoppage time, but HolguÃn got a foot on it to make the stop.
Halftime subs | Santos Laguna Head Coach xxx made the first change of the match, exchancing Érick Aguirre for the team's number 10 Ezequiel Bullaude.Â
48', Santos Laguna goal |Â Bullaude made an instant impact, keeping his team's attack alive after a tackle from Ben Bender to find Ramiro Sordo for a header goal to open scoring.Â
51', Santos Laguna scores again | Bullaude scored one of his own three minutes later, doubling his team's lead with a an assist then a goal just six minutes into his shift.Â
59', Union subs | Richter made his first changes of the night, swapping Alejandro Bedoya in for Jesus Bueno, and Malik Jakupovic in for Stas Korzeniowski.
66', Subs |Â Santos Laguna made a pair of subs, and Ryan Richter made one, sending on Finn Sundstrom for a seemigly injured Geiner Martinez shortly after a collision.Â
76', A Union debut |Â Kellan LeBlanc made his first team debut in the 76th minute, getting the nod from Richter, his former second team Head Coach turned first team interim.
79', LeBlanc shot | Just three minutes into his first shift, LeBlanc, the 18-year-old debutante, made his presence known with a left-footed volley from distance, forcing a diving save by HolguÃn at the left post.
81', Union chance | Another Philadelphia Union academy product found a close chance soon after, with Jakupovic taking a shot off a pass from Sullivan, but missing left.Â
84', Union yellow |Â Sundstrom was shown a yellow for a foul on Bullaude.
86', Santos Laguna yellow |Â Pardo was shown a yellow card.Â
90', Union yellow | Japhet Sery Larsen was shown a yellow for a foul on Palacios.
