National pride is on the line for Club America as it prepares to host the Philadelphia Union on Thursday night in the first leg of the semifinals of the 2021 Concacaf Champions League. America has won Concacaf’s club championship a record seven times, and Mexican squads have won 36 of the 55 editions of the event. A U.S.-based team has won just twice, and none since it was rebranded the Champions League in 2008. Las Aguilas finished second in Liga MX’s Clausura last season and are 2-1-0 in the current campaign, while the Union is 7-7-5 midway through the current MLS season.
Kickoff from Mexico City is scheduled for 10 p.m ET. America is listed as the -275 favorite (risk $275 to win $100) on the 90-minute money line in the latest Club America vs. Philadelphia Union odds from Caesars Sportsbook. Philadelphia is the +650 underdog, while the over-under for total goals scored is 2.5. Before making any Philadelphia Union vs. Club America picks or Concacaf Champions League predictions, you need to check out what proven soccer insider Martin Green has to say.
After working in the sports betting industry for several years, Green became a professional sports writer and handicapper and has covered the game worldwide. Since then, his European soccer picks have been uncanny. Green has generated more than $36,000 for $100 bettors since the 2017-18 season, and he has his finger on the pulse of the game all over the globe.
Now, Green has taken a close look at the Philadelphia Union vs. Club America matchup and recently revealed his top picks and expert analysis. You can head to SportsLine now to see his picks. Here are the Vegas odds and betting trends for Club America vs. Philadelphia Union:
- Club America vs. Philadelphia Union: America -1.5
- Club America vs. Philadelphia Union over-under: 2.5 goals
- Club America vs. Philadelphia Union money line: America -250, Philadelphia Union +650, Draw +320
- CLA: Roger Martinez has 42 goals in 145 career club matches
- PHL: D Jack Elliott leads the MLS in clearances with 135
Why you should back Club America
Club America is the deeper, more talented team, and it has been having success despite four key players spending the past month in Tokyo for the Olympics. Mexico won the bronze medal there, and the team has managed to stay unbeaten, with striker Roger Martinez stepping in seamlessly for top scorer Henry Martin. Martinez scored his first goal on a penalty in a 2-0 win Saturday against Puebla and has had numerous other chances. Salvador Reyes Chavez scored his second of the season Saturday and can create a lot of problems on the wings.
Richard Sanchez, who had five goals and five assists last season, guides the offense, while fellow midfielders Mauro Lainaz and Alvaro Fidalgo have to be guarded closely. Pedro Aquino is a relentless two-way player who shares the league lead in fouls and gets under opponents’ skin. Las Aguilas have conceded once in the three games, and Oscar Jimenez has been rock solid in place of Guillermo Ochoa in net. Philly has won just three games (3-5-3) since a three-game win streak at the end of May, while America has lost just two in its past 15 matches (11-2-2).
Why you should back Philadelphia Union
The Union come in with a point to prove as the lone American team remaining and will be facing a slightly depleted Club America roster. Philadelphia cruised to a 4-1 aggregate victory against Atlanta United FC in the quarterfinal on the strength of three goals from Polish striker Kacper Przybylko. The 28-year-old has six in the 19 matches this MLS season, and the Union has been held off the score sheet once in its past 16 games. Nine other players have scored at least one goal, and the team is yielding exactly one goal per game, the third-lowest mark in the MLS.
The losses of lynchpin Americans Mark McKenzie and Brenden Aaronson hurt the team, but Dutch midfielder Jamiro Monteiro, German fullback Kai Wagner and Jamaican goalkeeper Andre Blake form a solid backbone. Monteiro has nine goals and 14 assists in his three seasons with Philadelphia, while Blake has been a steady presence since being selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft. Jamaican teammate Cory Burke has scored four goals for the Union, tied with Brazilian Sergio Santos Gomes for second-most on the team.
How to make Club America vs. Philadelphia Union picks
Green has taken a close look at the Philadelphia Union vs. Club America semifinal from every angle, and he’s going under on the goal total (2.5). He also has a pair of other confident best bets, both with plus-money payouts, and a complete analysis of this matchup. He’s only sharing his expert picks at SportsLine.
So who wins Club America vs. Philadelphia Union in Thursday’s semifinal? And where can you find the top betting value? Visit SportsLine now to see the best bets for the Philadelphia Union vs. Club America match, all from the proven soccer expert who has generated more than $36,000 for $100 bettors over the past four seasons, and find out.
