Philadelphia Union vs 09.08.26 23:303 – 1Full Time
Necaxa — Leagues Cup: stats, lineups & analysis
Match report
Philadelphia Union race into early lead to see off Necaxa
Philadelphia Union beat Necaxa 3-1 at Subaru Park in a Leagues Cup Group Stage fixture, moving swiftly into control before holding on to complete the win. The scoreline was settled largely inside the opening quarter of an hour, with Necaxa unable to find a way back until deep into the second half.
AI-assisted match report written from official match data.
Nathan Harriel opened the scoring after just three minutes, turning in a Cavan Sullivan assist, and Union doubled their advantage soon after when Bruno Damiani converted a Harriel pass in the 12th minute. That gave the home side a 2-0 cushion at half-time, a lead built on a rapid start that Necaxa never fully recovered from.
Sullivan added a third for Philadelphia in the 53rd minute, latching onto a ball from Indiana Vassilev to make it 3-0 and effectively end any lingering hope of a Necaxa comeback. Matías Espíndola did pull one back for the visitors in the 79th minute, finishing off a Carlos Vargas assist, but it proved no more than a consolation as Union closed out the 3-1 victory.
Cavan Sullivan scored once and set up another in a man-of-the-match display, finishing with a rating of 8.6 as the game's top performer.
Despite having less of the ball, with only 44% possession, Philadelphia were the more direct and dangerous side going forward.
Philadelphia Union beat Necaxa 3–1 (half-time 2–0).
Philadelphia Union met Necaxa in the Leagues Cup (Group Stage). Kick-off was Sunday, 9 August 2026, 23:30 UTC at Subaru Park. Referee: Jefferson Escobar.
Team pages: Philadelphia Union · Necaxa · Leagues Cup
Key moments
- 3' Goal: Nathan Harriel (assist: Cavan Sullivan) — 1–0
- 12' Goal: Bruno Damiani (assist: Nathan Harriel) — 2–0
- 53' Goal: Cavan Sullivan (assist: Indiana Vassilev) — 3–0 · Watch Cavan Sullivan's goal video (53')
- 79' Goal: Matías Espíndola (assist: Carlos Vargas) — 3–1
Starting line-ups
Philadelphia Union (4-4-2)
Necaxa (3-4-3)
Sirius · Why these numbers
Before kick-off Sirius gave Philadelphia Union 59%, the draw 22%, Necaxa 19%. It finished Philadelphia Union 3–1 Necaxa.
Philadelphia Union's rating edge carries it — Philadelphia Union are the stronger side on our strength rating, and that is most of Philadelphia Union's 59%. The draw at 22% is held down by a high-scoring environment.
Why Philadelphia Union at 59%?
Philadelphia Union sit 127 points higher on our strength rating — 1570 to 1443. Sides with a 100–200-point rating edge at home won 57.2% of 12,664 such games. The 300 most similar past games finished 52–26–22.
Why only 59%?
No scored evidence points the other way. 59% is what this rating gap has been worth in games like these; the rest is the draw at 22% and Necaxa at 19%.
Why is the draw only 22%?
With a rating gap this size the draw starts at 24.2%. These teams' recent games average 3.6 goals — a high-scoring environment. Games in that environment drew 22.8% of 16,878. The goals environment takes 2.1 points off the draw.
What did we measure but not count?
Necaxa arrive with 9 fully-tracked matches, so their strength number is a first estimate that will move quickly; Philadelphia Union bring a 438-game record. New-to-the-record sides are where our rating knows least.
Sirius probabilities, frozen at kick-off. Analysis, not betting advice. How Sirius is doing this season · Full breakdown, evidence cards and squad news in the Match Insights tab
About this match
On this page: the Philadelphia Union vs Necaxa final score and result, goal highlights and video clips of every goal, who scored, starting lineups, match stats and the full match report from this Leagues Cup fixture.
- Who scored and when — a goal-by-goal timeline of the match.
- Match stats — possession, shots, expected goals (xG), corners and cards.
- Starting lineups and player ratings for both teams.
- Head-to-head record and recent form for both sides.
Watch the goals: goal highlights and video clips of every goal from Philadelphia Union 3–1 Necaxa. Explore more on the Philadelphia Union and Necaxa team pages or the Leagues Cup page.
Quick answers
›What was the final score of Philadelphia Union vs Necaxa?
Philadelphia Union beat Necaxa 3–1 (half-time 2–0).
›Who scored in Philadelphia Union vs Necaxa?
Nathan Harriel (3') for Philadelphia Union; Bruno Damiani (12') for Philadelphia Union; Cavan Sullivan (53') for Philadelphia Union; Matías Espíndola (79') for Necaxa.
›Where can I watch Philadelphia Union vs Necaxa highlights?
Goal highlights and video clips from Philadelphia Union 3–1 Necaxa are on this page — open the videos tab to watch every goal.