- Philadelphia Union reach Concacaf Champions League semis after VAR drama Philadelphia Union advanced to the Concacaf Champions League semi-finals on Wednesday after two crucial VAR decisions handed the Major League Soccer side a 2-2 draw against Mexico’s FC Atlas. The Union set up a last-four clash with Los Angeles FC after two goals from Julian Carranza secured a 3-2 aggregate victory following a 1-0 win in the first leg.
The Union took the lead in the 22nd minute when Carranza headed in a cross from Kai Wagner at the near post. Atlas equalized in the 45th minute when Milton Caraglio converted a penalty after VAR ruled that Wagner had handled the ball in the area.
The Mexican side then went ahead in the 57th minute when Jairo Torres curled in a superb shot from outside the box. However, VAR intervened again in the 68th minute and awarded a penalty to Philadelphia after Edgar Zaldivar was adjudged to have fouled Sergio Santos. Carranza stepped up and scored his second goal of the night to level the score.
Atlas pushed for a late winner but could not find a way past Philadelphia goalkeeper Andre Blake, who made several saves to preserve the draw. The Union held on to become the first MLS team to reach the semi-finals of the tournament this year.
The Union will face LAFC, who eliminated Mexico’s Cruz Azul on Tuesday, in the semi-finals in August. The other semi-final will be between Mexico’s Monterrey and Club America, who both advanced on Wednesday after beating Columbus Crew and Portland Timbers respectively. The final will be held in October.
