Club America vs Philadelphia Union Odds & Prediction – CONCACAF Champions League Semifinals Leg 1
- Club America are the -245 home favorites to defeat the Philadelphia Union in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions League semifinal on Thursday, August 12
- Philadelphia is the last MLS squad remaining in the tournament
- Mexico’s Club America were CONCACAF Champions League winners in 2015-16
The Philadelphia Union can relate to how Davey Crockett must’ve felt at the Alamo. The Union of the MLS are the last American club standing in the CONCACAF Champions League. And they are surrounded by Mexican sides.
Of immediate concern is Mexico’s Club America, Philadelphia’s opponent in the tournament semifinals. Two other Mexican clubs, Monterrey and Cruz Azul are battling in the other semifinal. Club America are -245 home favorites in the first leg of their semifinal with the Union.
Club America vs Philadelphia Union Odds
| Matchup | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Club America vs Philadelphia Union | CA (-245) | DRAW (+390) | PHI (+600) | CA -1.5 (+110) | PHI +1.5 (-185) | Over 2.5 (-105) | Under 2.5 (-125) |
Odds as of August 12th at DraftKings
Thursday’s match is slated for a 10 pm ET start at the legendary Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. FS1 is carrying the broadcast. The second leg is set for September 16 at Philly’s Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania.
Solid Debut
This is the first appearance for the Philadelphia Union in the CONCACAF Champions League. They earned their spot as the 2020 MLS Supporters’ Shield champions.
Philadelphia opened the tournament by smashing Costa Rican side Saprissa 5-0 on aggregate in the round of 16. That included a 4-0 pounding on their home pitch at Subaru Park in which the Union netted all four goals in the second half.
Two 🏴 in 🇲🇽. Looking forward to the game tomorrow👊🏼⚽️@jackells95 pic.twitter.com/4NNOdCeyYs
— Stuart Findlay (@StuartFindlay20) August 11, 2021
Next was an all MLS-matchup with US Open Cup champion Atlanta United FC. In the opening leg at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the Union again dominated the second half. They smashed home three unanswered goals for a 3-0 verdict. The two clubs played a 1-1 draw in the second leg at Subaru Park, as Philly conceded a goal for the first time in the tourney.
Kacper Przybylko is pacing the Union attack in the tournament. He’s scored five goals across those four matches. Przybylko is the CONCACAF Champions League goal-scoring leader.
Philadelphia goalkeeper Andre Blake, who recently signed a multi-year contract extension with the team, figures to have his capable hands full defending the Club America attack. The Jamaican international captain allowed the fewest goals in the MLS last season.
All America
In the early stages of the Liga MX season, Club America sits fourth in the table with a 2-0-1 record. That’s the highest standing of any of the three Mexican clubs remaining in the hunt for the CONCACAF Champions League title.
Club America is the only side among the four left standing that’s lost a match in the tournament. They dropped a 1-0 decision to Olimpia of Honduras in the second leg of the round of 16 at Estadio Azteca. The round ended 2-2. Club America advanced on the away goals rule.
You're welcome Portland and come back soon, served on behalf of CONCACAF's greatest and king, CLUB AMERICA.🦅🦅✅💛 para que entiendan jaja pic.twitter.com/h97eeZs1D7
— ING. Kevin Medina ⚽💛🦅 (@CremaMedina1929) May 6, 2021
In the quarterfinals, Club America dispatched the Portland Timbers of the MLS 4-2 on aggregate. They drew 1-1 in the opening leg at Providence Park. Club America then took a 3-1 decision at home to advance.
Federico Vinas leads Club America with three goals in the tournament. Club America lists a number of Mexican internationals in their side. Atop that list is goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa. The 36-year-old club captain has earned 114 caps for Mexico. He was the country’s first-choice goalkeeper in the 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cups.
Forward Henry Martin has scored three goals in 13 matches for Mexico. Defenders Jorge Sanchez and Miguel Layun, and midfielders Sebastian Cordova and Mauro Lainez have also been called up for national team duty.
Azteca Ruins
The Estadio Azteca has proven to be kryptonite for clubs much superior to the Union. The United States men’s national team shows an overall record of 1-11-3 when playing there.
https://twitter.com/JGFutbol10/status/1390558965457694721?s=20
Philadelphia coach Jim Curtin is calling this the biggest match in franchise history.
Club America vs Philadelphia Union Stats
| Mexico | Country | USA |
| Liga MX | League | MLS |
| 2015-16 | CCL Titles | Debut |
| 2-1-1 | CCL Record | 3-0-1 |
| 7 | Points | 10 |
| 6 | Goals For | 9 |
| 4 | Goals Against | 1 |
| +2 | Goal Differential | +8 |
One factor that could work to the Union’s favor is that they are in midseason form. The Liga MX season just got underway.
However, MLS teams are 0-8-3 all-time at Estadio Azteca.
Pick: Club America (-245)
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
