Cruz Azul opened its 2026 Leagues Cup campaign with a 1-0 victory over the Philadelphia Union on Friday night at Subaru Park, using an early goal from José Paradela and a strong defensive performance to secure all three points.
The reigning Liga MX champions wasted little time finding the breakthrough. Just three minutes into the match, Paradela started the move by playing Omar Campos down the left flank before continuing his run into the penalty area. Campos returned the favor with a perfectly weighted pass, and Paradela buried a first-time finish into the bottom-left corner to give Cruz Azul an early advantage.
Cruz Azul nearly doubled its lead 10 minutes later when Campos found the back of the net on a rebound at the far post, but the goal was disallowed after the assistant referee flagged him offside.
Philadelphia generated several promising chances after halftime in search of an equalizer. Milan Iloski came close in the 51st minute, racing onto a ball in transition before sending his left-footed effort just wide of the target.
The Union continued to push moments later when Iloski set up 16-year-old midfielder Cavan Sullivan with a clever backheel pass inside the box. However, Cruz Azul goalkeeper Kevin Mier made the save to preserve the lead in the 58th minute. Sullivan had another opportunity just a minute later, but his shot drifted wide.
Mier remained composed in the closing stages, helping Cruz Azul record a clean sheet as Paradela’s early strike stood as the match-winner. The victory gives La Máquina a winning start to its Leagues Cup campaign while handing the Philadelphia Union a narrow defeat in their tournament opener.
