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After our morale boosting 2-1 win over Toronto FC, it’s time for Orlando City SC to switch their attention to a quarter-final tie against Philadelphia Union in the last eight of the 2018 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
Travelling to Talen Energy Stadium to face Jim Curtin’s side for a place in the last four, a victory would represent the furthest Orlando City SC have progressed in this competition.
Despite our leagues struggles, Orlando City SC have made steady progress in the 2018 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup having comfortably defeated Miami United FC 0-3 and D.C. United 2-4 on penalties in the Fourth Round and Round of 16 respectively.
The intriguing footnote here is that Orlando City SC could set up an intriguing semi-final with former affiliate Louisville City, the club the Lions just hired James O’Connor from.
With James O’Connor having worked wonders to steer USL side Louisville City into the last eight as the only non-MLS side left in the competition, the Kentucky-based franchise must overcome Chicago Fire at Toyota Park.
As for our quarter-final opponents Philadelphia Union, Jim Curtin’s side defeated rivals New York Red Bulls 2-1 to reach this stage after a resounding 5-0 triumph over Richmond Kickers in round four.
Still very much in with a shout of reaching the 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs in the Eastern Conference, Union’s form is up and down but they still remain on course to achieve their goals.
Schedule wise, Philadelphia Union may be a little fresher than Orlando City SC having played a mid-season friendly fixture against Eintracht Frankfurt last weekend while the Lions faced Toronto FC in MLS.
2015/17 head-to-head stats
Looking back at recent MLS fixture history between Philadelphia Union and Orlando City SC, it makes for good reading for Lions supporters.
Last travelling to Talen Energy Stadium in April, Orlando City SC earned their first away victory (0-2) of the season in assured fashion.
Rallying at the end of the first-half, two goals in eight minutes from Dom Dwyer and Chris Mueller quickly took the game out of the home side’s reach before a rare sturdy second-half defensive display.
There is perfect symmetry across the wins, draws and losses spectrum when looking at head-to-head history between Philadelphia Union and Orlando City SC in Major League Soccer.
As mentioned previously, Orlando City SC have won three of the last four head-to-heads by 0-2, 2-1 and 0-2 scorelines.
The defeat was an emphatic one in our very last game of a disappointing 2017 campaign when Union ran out 6-1 victors with separate braces from Ilsinho, Fafà Picault and former Lion C.J. Sapong.
Philadelphia Union form
Philadelphia Union’s quarter-final place was secured just over a month ago on June 16th when Jim Curtin’s side overcame rivals New York Red Bulls 2-1.
With all three goals scored in the second-half in a tight game at Talen Energy Stadium, strikes from Haris Medunjanin and Cory Burke put the home side into a two-goal lead by the 61st minute.
New York Red Bulls’ all-time leading goalscorer Bradley Wright-Phillips pegged Union back with a strike in the 77th minute but the visitors from New Jersey just couldn’t force an equaliser in the time remaining.
Philadelphia Union 2 New York Red Bulls 1 – Highlights – June 16, 2018 (Credit: OmarGenasyde BennettVevo)
It’s been a case of all or nothing in Philadelphia Union’s recent home games in Major League Soccer.
With Union’s last THREE home games all ending ‘to nil’, Atlanta United were the most recent winners there prevailing 0-2 on July 7th thanks to goals from Josef Martínez and Hector Villalba.
Prior to this, Philadelphia Union comfortably defeated Vancouver Whitecaps 4-0 after losing 0-2 to Toronto FC.
Philadelphia Union 0 Atlanta United 2 – Highlights – July 7, 2018 (Credit: fútbol legends)
Orlando City SC form
As discussed at the outset, Orlando City SC will be hoping to reach the semi-finals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup for the very first time.
Reaching this quarter-final stage twice since we were established in 2011, Chicago Fire eliminated the Lions on both occasions in 5-1 and 3-1 triumphs at Toyota Park.
With James O’Connor on the Orlando City SC roster himself during that first quarter-final defeat in 2013, the Irishman will be hoping the Lions can go one better in 2018.
Chicago Fire 5 Orlando City SC 1 – Highlights – June 26, 2013 (Credit: Chicago Fire)