Julian Carranza powers the Union past Club Tijuana in Leagues Cup opener

The Union already had somewhat of an advantage entering their Leagues Cup opener Saturday night. They were playing at home against a Tijuana team that traveled nearly 3,000 miles to Philadelphia. And while Los Xolos had only three games in Liga MX’s Apertura under their belt, the Union were in midseason form.

Whatever edge the Union had before the game kicked off, it grew exponentially. By the 56th minute, Tijuana was down to nine men because of two red cards and didn’t have much of a chance. The Union pulled away with a 3-1 victory in front of a strong crowd at Subaru Park.

“Not our best performance — I think we know that,” Union manager Jim Curtin said. “Not many guys had good days. But this competition is about surviving and advancing, and, from that standpoint, it is a big three points.”

The Leagues Cup, an intercontinental competition featuring the top tiers of American and Mexican soccer, was revived this year under a new format. For the first time, all 29 MLS teams and all 18 clubs from Liga MX are competing in a World Cup-style tournament with a group stage and knockout round. Group play for the Union began against Tijuana Saturday and will conclude Wednesday.

» READ MORE: At an overhauled Leagues Cup, the Union have what it takes to end years of Mexican dominance

Julián Carranza was involved in all three Union goals. In the 18th minute, the forward was tripped in the penalty box by Tijuana’s Nicolás Díaz, leading to a penalty opportunity. Dániel Gazdag stepped to the spot and buried his 13th goal across all competitions into the bottom left corner. Following a lengthy discussion, Díaz was sent off with Tijuana’s first red card.

After a wild scramble in the 23rd minute that included Carranza hitting the crossbar, the Argentine striker finally got into the scoring column minutes later, burying a feed from defender Kai Wagner to put the Union up, 2-0. Carranza initially was ruled offsides, but the call was overturned on a VAR review.

Carranza completed the brace with a goal in the 71st minute and nearly had three behind a pair of second-half opportunities. A shot in the 79th minute was cleared near the line, while an opportunity in stoppage time hit the crossbar.

“We’re not really happy with with the second half,” Carranza said. “I think that we should have scored more goals and conceded less. But overall, a good night. We won — that’s the important thing, to start with the right foot in this tournament. We’re just looking forward for the next game.”

Despite the man disadvantage, Tijuana managed 10 first-half shots, forcing Union goalie Andre Blake to make three saves. The Jamaican National Team captain was forced to make a diving stop right before the end of stoppage time to preserve the Union’s 2-0 first-half advantage.

Blake conceded an early second-half goal to Carlos González that cut the Union’s lead to 2-1. But minutes later, after defender Olivier Mbaizo was called for a foul in the box, Blake stopped a penalty opportunity from González.

“It was a really important save at an important time,” Blake said. “Obviously, I wish I didn’t have to be doing that with them playing 10. But it is what it is, and I do what I have to do.”

The three-time MLS Goalkeeper of the Year also served as the Union’s captain Saturday night, in place of the injured Alejandro Bedoya.

“Our goalkeeper is the best in the league — I think that that’s clear to anyone except maybe the All-Star team,” Curtin said, referencing the fact that Blake was passed over for for an All-Star selection this year. “He’s incredible and, we’re really lucky to have him. He made some big saves tonight. Obviously, the PK at that moment can really change the game, and he made a big play for us. ... I hope he wears a Union jersey for the rest of his life.”

Moments earlier, Mbaizo had received a warning from Jamaican referee Oshane Anthony Nation. After his foul led to Tijuana’s penalty chance, he promptly was pulled by Union manager Jim Curtin in favor of substitute Nathan Harriel.

“I think we had a lot of immature moments on the field where we just went brain-dead, and you get punished against good competition,” Curtin said. “Credit to Tijuana, even down a man, they pushed [and] got themselves back in the game.”

Tijuana played much of the first half down one player and most of the second half down a second player after receiving two red cards. Díaz was the first culprit, and Kevin Balanta followed with a red card in the 56th minute.

“The second red card maybe was a little a little harsh, but other than that, I thought it was OK,” Curtin said. “But it was crazy, no question. You don’t play 10-versus-eight too often.”

Tijuana manager Miguel Herrera, formerly the coach of Mexico’s national team, also received a yellow card in the 34th minute.

The Union return to Subaru Park at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday to conclude the group stage of the Leagues Cup against Querétaro. The top two teams from the three-team groups will advance to the 32-team knockout stage.

Senior editor Kerith Gabriel contributed to this article.