PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad — Preseason is officially over, and the defending Supporters’ Shield winners have kicked off their 2026 campaign with a bang. While they have yet to begin MLS play, which will be this Saturday at D.C. United, the Union’s opening match in the Concacaf Champions Cup proved to be a great offensive showing as they dispatched Defence Force 5-0.
The starting lineup saw head coach Bradley Carnell putting a lot of trust in his new and young players. Bringing loads of experience, of course, was 38-year-old captain Alejandro Bedoya, but many who saw the field were younger or less frequently used as starters. Stas Korzeniowski, recently promoted to the first team after being the leading goal scorer for Union II in 2025 was paired up top with new record signing Ezekiel Alladoh.
The lineup also saw some creativity with Jeremy Rafanello at right back and Frankie Westfield at left back. Andrew Rick, in his first Concacaf Champions Cup action, got the nod at starting goalkeeper—a position he handled with aplomb.
Stas Korzeniowski got the first shot for the Union in the 10th minute, which was knocked out for a corner. The Union continued to bring pressure on the goal during the first half, though Defence Force had a few chances. In the 24th minute, DF’s Kathon St. Hillaire went one-on-one with Rick in a breakaway, which was eventually called offside, but Rick made a fantastic block.
It seemed only a matter of time until the Union would break through, and a big chance came in the 25th minute for the Union when Milan Iloski’s strong shot was saved and the rebound was knocked out for a corner. It came to a head three minutes later when Jesús Bueno was fouled near the top of the box, setting up a dangerous free kick as DF’s Tyrese Bailey was shown the match’s first yellow card.
Iloski’s strike went over the wall and past the keeper to put the Union on the board in the 30th minute. Once that seal was broken, the Union really started taking control. Iloski would say post-match that it allowed them to “play a bit more free and a bit more open.” Just two minutes later, Westfield sent a fantastic cross to Alladoh, who headed it in to double the lead.
The Union mostly dominated, but the first chance in a while for Defence Force came near the end of the first half as they went on a counter, but veteran and captain Kevin Molino had a poor touch, ending with Rick making the easy save. DF had another chance just before stoppage time expired, however Westfield did well getting in and blocking the attempt to cross the ball.
The second half showed some very nice plays by Iloski and Westfield, with the latter getting a shot deflected out for a corner that ultimately was headed out high by Makhanya. The first and only booking for the Union was a yellow to Nathan Harriel for a foul in the 54th minute, and shortly after, Korzeniowski had another shot blocked. While he did not score in the match, it was a solid showing for the striker.
The set piece prowess continued when Iloski served up a corner kick in the 64th minute, which Olwethu Makhanya sent into the back of the net on a missile of a header to make the score 3-0.
The first substitutions came shortly after, with Bruno Damiani, Cavan Sullivan, and Japhet Sery Larsen replacing Alladoh, Iloski, and Harriel.
Damiani made his presence known quickly. Westfield slipped a backheel pass to Sullivan, who ran to the left side of the box, then crossed it to top of the box to Damiani, who blasted it home to make it 4-0 in the 69th minute.
The 16-year-old Sullivan notched his first assist with the first team, becoming the youngest player in Union history to do so (across all competitions) and surpassing his brother, Quinn, for that honor. Cavan had a strong match, showing his great dribbling and passing ability, and should likely factor in much more this season.
Another substitution occurred in the 73rd minute as Finn Sundstrom replaced Makhanya, giving some rest to the center back who will probably be needed for Saturday. Sundstrom, another newcomer to the squad, held his own finishing out the match.
As regulation was waning, Sullivan was fouled in the box, and after a VAR check confirmed it, a penalty kick was awarded to the Union. Damiani stepped up and sent a hard shot low and to the left, which the keeper got a hand on but could not stop, making it 5-0.
One last substitution came in the 82nd minute when Indiana Vassilev replaced Westfield. It was a tremendous showing for Westfield, who had played left back consistently with Union II in 2024 and was honored in MLS Next Pro’s best XI, so he was no stranger to the position, however, it can be quite the jump to this level. Carnell said post-game that Westfield was “excellent” and how he set up Alladoh well for the goal. He mentioned how they had a makeshift back line, but the players are ready to step up when a position needs to be filled.
Sullivan was fouled by Defence Force’s Shirwin Noel as the second half was nearly over, which prompted a brief coming together of players. Bedoya diffused it quickly and play resumed. Shortly after, Sullivan was fouled again, this time by Joevin Jones, who was sent off with a second yellow for the foul. The Union would then finish out the 5-0 victory for the first leg of the matchup, and Iloski was named Concacaf’s “Superior Player of the Match.” As he said in his interview with Concacaf, it’s “one step closer to the next round.”
The Union will host Defence Force at Subaru Park on Thursday, February 26 at 7:00 PM. Before that, however, they will open up MLS play on the road against D.C. United on Saturday, where they will be against their former striker, Tai Baribo.
Main article photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Union.
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