PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad — Philadelphia Union wasted no time shaking off preseason rust. They hammered Defence Force 5-0 in their Concacaf Champions Cup opener, with goals from Milan Iloski, Ezekiel Alladoh, Olwethu Makhanya, Bruno Damiani and a late penalty from Damiani.

Head coach Bradley Carnell handed starts to several young and new faces. Captain Alejandro Bedoya brought veteran leadership at 38. Up top, Stas Korzeniowski paired with record signing Ezekiel Alladoh. Jeremy Rafanello slotted in at right back, Frankie Westfield at left back. Andrew Rick earned his first Champions Cup action in goal and delivered a clean sheet.

The Union pressed early. Korzeniowski fired the first shot in the 10th minute, forcing a corner. Defence Force countered in the 24th, with Kathon St. Hillaire breaking free, but an offside call and Rick’s block neutralized the threat. Minutes later, Jesús Bueno drew a free kick after a foul by Tyrese Bailey, who picked up the game’s first yellow.

Iloski curled the free kick over the wall in the 30th minute for 1-0. The dam broke. Two minutes on, Westfield whipped in a cross that Alladoh headed home. Defence Force threatened late in the half. Kevin Molino flubbed a touch on a counter, and Westfield blocked another cross.

Half-time brought no letup. Iloski and Westfield combined nicely early in the second half. Nathan Harriel picked up a yellow for a foul in the 54th. Korzeniowski’s shot got blocked soon after. Set-piece magic struck again in the 64th: Iloski’s corner met Makhanya’s thunderous header for 3-0.

Carnell turned to his bench. Bruno Damiani, Cavan Sullivan and Japhet Sery Larsen replaced Alladoh, Iloski and Harriel. The changes paid off fast. In the 69th, Westfield backheeled to Sullivan, who crossed for Damiani to rifle home the fourth. The 16-year-old Sullivan claimed his first senior assist, the youngest in Union history across all competitions.

Finn Sundstrom subbed for Makhanya in the 73rd. Regulation time ticked down. Sullivan drew a penalty after a VAR review, and Damiani converted low left despite the keeper’s touch. Indiana Vassilev came on for Westfield in the 82nd.

Tensions flared late. Sullivan drew another foul from Joevin Jones, earning Jones a second yellow and red card. Bedoya calmed the scrum. The Union closed out the rout. Iloski earned Concacaf’s Superior Player of the Match honors. He told interviewers it put the team “one step closer to the next round.”

Carnell praised the makeshift back line. He called Westfield “excellent,” noting his assist for Alladoh’s goal. Westfield, an MLS Next Pro Best XI pick from Union II in 2024, stepped up smoothly. Sullivan dazzled with dribbles and vision, signaling a bigger role ahead.

The Union host Defence Force at Subaru Park on Thursday, February 26, at 7 p.m. First, they open MLS play Saturday at D.C. United, facing ex-striker Tai Baribo.