Hello Thursday. The Concacaf Champions Cup has kicked off with Vancouver Whitecaps the first MLS team in action. The ‘Caps played Tigres to a 1-1 draw on Vancouver Island on Wednesday. The Union are now less than two weeks away from their own kickoff of the season with the first leg in Costa Rica on Feb. 20.

In the email today:

1. 🏆 Countdown to Champions Cup is On

On an hour-long broadcast that really could’ve just be an email, we learned on Sunday afternoon that Philadelphia will be hosting six FIFA World Cup games in 2026. Five group games and one knockout game on July 4th.

The Concacaf Champions Cup is officially underway but the wait isn’t over just yet for Philadelphia Union fans. The Union will be heading to Costa Rica after the second leg of preseason in Florida. Their date with Saprissa is February 20.

Union head coach Jim Curtin talked with Union reporter Sage Hurley about the preparation for the Union’s second visit to Saprissa.

2. 🐍 Union II Wins First Preseason Match

Philadelphia Union II kicked off their slate of preseason games with a 5-0 win over Florida Premier FC on Tuesday night.

Sal Olivas had a brace and Carlos Rojas, Antonios Horozoglou and Kyle Tucker added goals for Union II.

Cavan Sullivan, the 14-year-old academy star, made his Union II debut in the second half of the game. Union Development Squad midfielder Ryan Zellefrow also came off the bench in the match. Three unnamed trialists also played.

Up next, Union II plays Tampa Bay Rowdies on Friday.

Starting XI. Andrew Rick; Jack Andrus, Carlos Rojas, Gavei Wetzel, Frankie Westfield; Alex Perez, Trialist; Kyle Tucker, Antonios Horozoglou; Sal Olivas, Eddie Davis

Subs: Cavan Sullivan, Ryan Zellefrow, Jonathan Evans

GIVEAWAY! Paid subscribers to The River End or Philadelphia Soccer Now will get a chance to win this framed Andre Blake newspaper. The deadline to join and enter the giveaway is February 29.

3. 🗓️ Tweet of the Day: One Week From Being One Week Away

4. 💧 Water Cooler: Former Union Player

Featured MLS Store item: adidas Anthem Zipper Jacket. Order Now >

5. 🔗 Link Roundup

• Media giants ESPN, FOX and Warner Bros Discovery are launching a new streaming service for sports.

• Area MLS Next clubs will be able to benefit when their former players sign with the Philadelphia Union or other MLS clubs under a new program announced by MLS.

• The USWNT roster for the upcoming Concacaf W Gold Cup was announced on Wednesday.

• Cherry Hill, N.J. native and former Union Academy and Union II keeper Tomas Romero has signed with NYCFC.

• Kacper Przybylko may be on his way out in Chicago.

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