*GAME RESCHEDULED TO JULY 7 DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER*
Just days after facing Philadelphia Union at Exploria Stadium, James O’Connor‘s Orlando City SC face The U once again in quick succession – this time at Talen Energy Stadium.
After losing 1-3 on July 3, this provides another quick-fire opportunity to steal some points from the impressive Eastern Conference leaders who’ve enjoyed a fine 2019 MLS season so far.
In Wednesday’s encounter, Orlando City SC enjoyed a really convincing first half hour with Chris Mueller opening the scoring in only the eighth minute.
Proving more than a match for Jim Curtin’s attack-minded side, things went sour really quick following Kacper Przybyłko’s 32nd minute equaliser.
Looking back, the whole complexion of the game turned just moments before half-time as Robin Jansson saw red for a late-timed scissor challenge on Fafà Picault as last man.
With Chris Penso initially issuing yellow to the Swedish international, the referee then consulted VAR before giving Jansson his marching orders – a final decision that was ultimately the correct one.
Wasting no time in making their one-man advantage count, Philadelphia Union struck another killer blow less than 120 seconds into the second-half with the lethal Przybyłko adding his second.
With the game looking beyond Orlando City SC‘s reach at that point, it was put beyond all doubt with Fafà Picault adding a third in the 52nd minute before Sacha Kljestan reduced City to just nine men with a foolish and terribly timed lunge on Jamiro Monteiro out of frustration.
What was already an overcrowded mid-season schedule has just got that bit tougher with experienced statesmen Robin Jansson and Sacha Kljestan now missing the trip to Chester, Pennsylvania.
Fortunately for James O’Connor, Copa América participant Jhegson Méndez, Gold Cup call-ups Will Johnson and Kamal Miller plus Dom Dwyer returned to the squad in midweek, providing vital squad depth when we needed it most.
2015/19 head-to-head stats
In a case of bizarre MLS fixture scheduling, both 2019 meetings with Philadelphia Union seem like something of a two-legged cup semi-final for Orlando City SC rather than league fixtures alone.
James O’Connor will know so much more about what this impressive 2019 Union roster is capable of having witnessed their ruthlessness first hand on Wednesday.
Playing in difficult circumstances with nine men late on, O’Connor would’ve been pleased to see the remaining players on the field battle to the end and not let their heads drop – a positive sign, albeit a small one.
Orlando City SC 1 Philadelphia Union 3 – Highlights – July 3, 2019 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
In what is a very tight game series so far, Philadelphia Union narrowly edged ahead of Orlando City SC thanks to their 1-3 midweek victory in Central Florida.
With FOUR victories to the Lions’ THREE, the other three results have ended in draws.
Philadelphia Union form
Despite leading the Eastern Conference standings so far, Philadelphia Union’s home form slowed down throughout May and early June.
Winning just ONE of their last FOUR home fixtures in Major League Soccer, The U did triumph in their most recent home fixture against New York Red Bulls (3-2) on June 8.
In the other three games making up this streak, Philadelphia Union didn’t make home advantage count against Seattle Sounders (0-0), Portland Timbers (1-3) and Colorado Rapids (1-1), dropping seven points to these Western Conference sides in the process.
Philadelphia Union 3 New York Red Bulls 2 – Highlights – June 8, 2019 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Orlando City SC form
Earning road victories is always cause for extra celebration in Major League Soccer given the vast distances travelled.
Even sweeter is the fact Orlando City SC have managed to keep a clean sheet in their last TWO consecutive away wins at Montreal Impact (0-3) and Columbus Crew (0-2).
On both occasions, James O’Connor got his tactics absolutely spot on to catch out both Eastern Conference sides on the counter.
Columbus Crew 0 Orlando City SC 2 – Highlights – June 29, 2019 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
One of Orlando City SC‘s success stories so far this season has been Tesho Akindele who the Lions traded from FC Dallas in December 2018.
Scoring six goals so far this season, the Canadian international is currently the Lions’ second highest goalscorer with his strikes compensating for Dom Dwyer‘s extended absence due to the birth of his second child.
Speaking of Orlando City SC‘s road form in particular, Tesho Akindele has scored in the Lions’ last TWO away games notching at both Montreal Impact (0-3) and Columbus Crew (0-2).