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Following Orlando City SC‘s heart-stopping 3-2 comeback against Portland Timbers, Jason Kreis‘ Lions now face their second away game of the season at Philadelphia Union.
Our final road stop in a disappointing 2017 MLS campaign, Orlando City SC will be eager to avenge October 2017’s 6-1 mauling that sent us into the winter feeling rather gloomy.
Having travelled to Talen Energy Stadium four times in Major League Soccer so far, Jim Curtin’s Union have defeated the Lions on three of these occasions.
Something of a bogey ground for Orlando City SC, Jason Kreis‘ side will be looking to turn the tide in the shadow of the stunning Commodore Barry Bridge.
Philadelphia Union have experienced an average start to 2018 with Jim Curtin’s side defeating New England Revolution 2-0 on opening weekend, drawing 0-0 to Columbus Crew, losing 3-0 at Colorado Rapids and drawing 1-1 against San Jose Earthquakes.
Only reaching the post-season twice since their inaugural Major League Soccer campaign in 2010, Union have a lot to prove in the Eastern Conference, much like Orlando City SC.
Completing an eye-catching trade for Chicago Fire’s David Accam in January, the Ghanaian is Union’s standout player.
That’s not forgetting USMNT striker C.J. Sapong, now in his fourth straight season with the Union as well as Fafà Picault – another tricky customer who can play as a centre forward or on either wing.
2015/17 head-to-head stats
Speaking of C.J. Sapong and Fafà Picault, it was a field day for this attacking duo when Orlando City SC visited Philadelphia Union in the final league fixture of 2017.
Travelling to Chester, Pennsylvania with heads down and the campaign in tatters, there was no such pride with the home side running riot.
With Sapong and Picault each bagging a brace, so too did Brazilian midfielder Ilsinho to complete the rout in a game we’d all rather forget.
Philadelphia Union 6 Orlando City SC 1 – Highlights – October 22, 2017 (Credit: Philadelphia Union)
That 6-1 victory for Union over Orlando City SC marginally edged them ahead of the Lions in this particular game series.
Winning THREE games to Orlando City SC‘s TWO, it’s fair to say both sides are evenly matched in the Eastern Conference.
A player who Orlando City SC supporters and players are sick of the sight of, C.J. Sapong always seems to find his shooting boots against the Lions.
In addition to the brace he scored in last season’s final fixture, the 29-year-old also equalised in 2017’s other head-to-head, a game in which Orlando City SC eventually prevailed 2-1.
Add in his second minute opener against City in April 2016 and the USMNT striker has THREE goals in the last FIVE head-to-heads between these sides.
Orlando City SC 2 Philadelphia Union 1 – Highlights – March 18, 2017 (Credit: PPsoccer)
Philadelphia Union form
Talen Energy Stadium has been a stronghold for Philadelphia Union in recent times.
Undefeated in their last SEVEN home fixtures in Major League Soccer, the last team to visit Chester, Pennsylvania while coming away with all three points was Montreal Impact in August 2017 (0-3).
Orlando City SC form
Keeping the back line locked down has been a real issue for Orlando City SC in most games but particularly those away from home.
After all, the Lions have conceded AT LEAST TWO GOALS in SEVEN of their last EIGHT road fixtures in Major League Soccer.
Only travelling away once so far this season when suffering a 2-0 loss at New York City FC, both goals were gifted to NYCFC following sloppy giveaways.
In what was otherwise an even encounter, Orlando City SC cannot afford to switch off in this one, especially against a Philadelphia Union side with plenty of attacking threat.
New York City FC 2 Orlando City SC 0 – Highlights – March 17, 2018 (Credit: New York City FC)