Schedule congestion early in the season is a kind of trial by fire but the trade-off is getting to play games like the Philadelphia Union have on the docket tonight. Playing at Pachuca at altitude with the score 0-0. Like Jim Curtin said yesterday, anything can happen. Let’s hope that anything favors the team from Chester.

In the email today:

1. ⛰️ Union Aim for CCC Magic at Altitude

From the unplayable pitch at Subaru Park on a rainy Saturday night to the second highest elevation stadium in Mexico, the Philadelphia Union are aiming for Champions Cup magic tonight as they face Pachuca at 7,814 feet above sea level tonight.

Kickoff is slated for 8:15 p.m. and the game will be broadcast live on FS1.

Adjustment to the altitude will be a key factor in the match for a Union team that got a bit of a break when the rain halted their game Saturday night against Seattle at home.

“It's a little bit lucky because we get rest so we'll be fully refreshed and fit,” Union head coach Jim Curtin said yesterday.

“Things like the ball you know, travels an extra 5-10 yards in the air at at altitude,” Curtin said. “The difficulty of a team like Pachuca that high presses and makes it hard on you. Like I said, we don't want to play end to end because that's a very dangerous thing. So we want to be very organized compact, and we're a team that is good on the the transitions and the counter attack as well. We have to find the moments and be ruthless.”

Estadio Hidalgo will be the highest elevation a Union team has ever played at. If you look at the list below of altitudes for stadiums in Liga MX, Colorado Rapids and Real Salt Lake would come in sixth and seventh from the bottom. Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce, Col. is at 1,600 meters while Rio Tinto Stadium in Utah is around 1,371 meters.

Estadio Azteca is the third highest on the list below at 2,250 meters. The Union came up short in a 2-0 loss to Club América there in 2021 in the first leg of the Champions Cup semifinal.

2. 🇦🇷 Julian Carranza is Back

For the first time in March, star striker Julian Carranza will be available for selection.

Jim Curtin said yesterday the Argentine who had four goals in Champions Cup play against Saprissa but missed the last two matches with a knock trained fully and will be available for selection tonight.

“You obviously have the potential of extra time and penalty kicks, so we'll certainly utilize Julian but don't want to reveal whether that's yet as a starter or off the bench but great to have him back,” Curtin said. “He's our top goal scorer for the past couple of years and that helps any team for sure to get him back healthy.”

Carranza has six goals in 8 Champions Cup appearances for the Union.

3. 🧤 Tweet of the Day: Blake Backups

4. 💧 Water Cooler: Man of the Match Prediction

5. 🔗 Link Roundup

• The USWNT won the inaugural Concacaf W Gold Cup on Sunday night with a 1-0 win over Brazil thanks to a Lindsey Horan goal late in the first half.

• Real Jersey FC is rebranding as Real Futbol Academy.

• Florida man Tobias Meyer has quite the vintage kit collection.

• MLS announced the latest edition of the cup they think is more important than Open Cup and oh the comments on social media.

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