Philadelphia Union, with a South African coach and centre back, suffered a third straight home loss on Tuesday as they were beaten 1-0 by Club América of Mexico in the first leg of their Concacaf Champions Cup second-round tie.
It leaves Bradley Carnell’s side, which had centre back Olwethu Makhanya back in the line-up after a one-match ban, with a tough hurdle to climb in next week’s return game in Mexico City.
The Concacaf Champions Cup is the Caribbean and Central and North American region’s equivalent of the Champions League, and this year’s winner gets a place at the 2029 Club World Cup.
Union, who have lost their opening two home games of the new Major Soccer League season, went behind after 20 minutes as Raphael Veiga had the final touch on an excellent team goal.
Club América strung together a series of impressive passes, with Brian Rodriguez running onto the ball as he split two defenders and drove toward the 18-yard box.
Rodriguez squared the ball to Veiga, who set himself with his first touch and then fired in a 14-yard half-volley into the top left corner of the net.
The winner of the tie will advance to a quarterfinal matchup against either Nashville SC or Inter Miami.