The Philadelphia Union were drawn against Alianza FC from El Salvador in the first round of the CONCACAF Champions League on Monday evening.
Just 48 hours removed from the heartbreaking defeat to LAFC in the MLS Cup final on penalties, the Union can begin to prepare for next season as they return to continental football after a year away. The 2023 CONCACAF Champions League will be Philadelphia's second time in the tournament. Jim Curtin's team made the semi-finals in their debut appearance in the competition in 2021.
They were beaten 4-0 on aggregate in the semi-finals by Mexican giants Club America. The Union beat Saprissa of Costa Rica and Atlanta United on their way to the semi-final in what proved to be a memorable campaign for the club.
Alianza FC compete in the Salvadoran Primera Division and qualified for the CCL, having been the best-ranked team to lose in the quarter-finals of the 2022 CONCACAF League.
The first leg of the Round of 16 tie will be played between March 7th and 9th, with the second leg to be played a week later between March 14th and 16th.