Union Surpasses Querétaro F.C., 2-1, in Leagues Cup Quarter-Final

Chester, PA

August 11, 2023

By its victory over Querétaro F.C. Friday night, 2-1, the Philadelphia Union bought its ticket to the semi-final Leagues Cup game against Inter Miami CF and Miami’s star acquisition Lionel Messi.

Friday’s quarter-final of Leagues Cup between the Union and Querétaro was in no way a replay of the group stage game between the two teams on July 26, 2023. In that earlier game, the Union prevailed 5-1.  Since then, Querétaro had beaten Club Tijuana, Pumas UNAM, and New England to meet-up again with Philadelphia.

Philadelphia seemed the stronger team in the first half.  The Union scored early, at the 10th minute, with the Union’s Jesús Bueno left footed shot off of a diagonal pass to the right from Jack McGlynn.

As the game progressed into the second half, Querétaro picked up steam.  At the 65th minute, Querétaro’s  Ángel Sepúlveda scored with a high left footed to the bottom right corner off of a Jaime Gómez pass.

There were a few delays in the game due to injury, including to Querétaro’s Jaime Gómez and Fernando Tapia, and to Philadelphia’s Julián Carranza.  As a result, stoppage time for the second half was ten minutes, a bone of contention for Querétaro’s coach, Mauro Gerk.

In the waning seconds of the second half stoppage time, Philadelphia’s sub Joaquín Torres sent a lovely through pass to Kai Wagner, who brought the ball down on the left wing and crossed right.  Philadelphia’s Chris Donovan made a near post run and scored unmarked with his right foot to the bottom left corner of the goal.  The goal was checked for offside because Donovan was ahead of the defenders, but Wagner also was ahead of the defenders with the ball, and Donovan was ruled onside and the goal stood.

Then the chants from the Union faithful began:  “We want Messi, we want Messi.”

Photographs of the game appear below:

Jesús Bueno settling the ball before his goal in the 10th minuteDamion Lowe outrunning Ángel Sepúlveda with the ball approaching Philadelphia’s goal.

Pablo Barrera with Philadelphia’s Jack McGlynn defending.

Philadelphia’s Jakob Glesnes fighting for the ball in the air with Jonathan Perlaza.Óscar Manzanarez defending Julián Carranza near the Querétaro goal.

Local hero sub Chris Donovan shows his mettle against Querétaro and follows-up with a last minute goal.Philadelphia’s Joaquín Torres has his way in close quarters, but also passed superbly on the night.