Philadelphia Union have clinched a berth in the 2023 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League for the second time in club history. The Union are the third MLS club to clinch a spot in the 2023 CCL following Orlando City SC which earned a berth for winning the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and Vancouver Whitecaps who won the Canadian Championship.
The Union clinched the spot Saturday afternoon following their scoreless draw on the road at Atlanta United FC.
The Union are currently on a historic regular season run, breaking numerous club records including wins (18), points (64), goals (68), and shutouts (14) amongst many others.
The U.S. holds four spots in the 2023 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League. They are awarded to: The Audi 2022 MLS Cup Champions, the 2022 Supporters’ Shield Winners, the 2022 MLS Eastern or Western Conference Winner (opposite to the Supporters’ Shield winner’s conference), and the winner of the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, which Orlando City SC claimed last week. The Union currently hold the Eastern Conference winner’s slot, but should they win the Audi 2022 MLS Cup and/or the Supporters’ Shield, they would take the highest slot position accordingly.
This is the Union’s second trip to CCL after earning their first ever berth to the 2021 CCL. In their inaugural CCL campaign, the Union cruised to the semifinals after defeating Saprissa in the round of 16 5-0 on aggregate and Atlanta United in the quarterfinals 4-1 on aggregate, before finally falling to Mexican giants, Club America, 4-0 on aggregate.
The CCL is a 16-team single elimination competition featuring teams from North America, Central America, and the Caribbean, with the winner earning a spot in the FIFA Club World Cup.
The following non-MLS teams will also compete in the 2023 tournament, the final year before a reimagined competition launches in 2024 with 27 teams and incorporates Leagues Cup qualifiers.
- Mexico: Atlas, Tigres UANL, Club Leon, Pachuca
- Haiti: Violette
- Honduras: Real Espana, Motagua, Olimpia
- Costa Rica: Alajuelense
- El Salvador: Alianza of El Salvador
- Panama: Tauro
