After overcoming I-4 Derby rivals Tampa Bay Rowdies 2-1 in the third round of the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, Oscar Pareja‘s side now face a much tougher test in the Round of 32.
With current Eastern Conference leaders Philadelphia Union visiting Exploria Stadium, Union are the only opponent City have faced in the U.S. Open Cup twice, first in 2018 and secondly this Wednesday.
Casting our minds back to April 20, Orlando City SC overcame a spirited Tampa Bay Rowdies side to prevail 2-1 at home.
Infamously failing to beat the Lions in nine attempts (all competitions) prior to last month’s meeting, City’s unbeaten I-4 Derby streak now stands at 10 games.
After struggling to make inroads in the first-half, Oscar Pareja‘s trio of half-time substitutions had the desired effect.
Injecting quality and much-needed urgency into the derby fixture, João Moutinho, Robin Jansson and Mauricio Pereyra all entered the fray.
On 52 minutes, Alexandre Pato opened the scoring from the penalty spot. This was after Aarón Guillén tugged down Benji Michel in the box.
Then, on 63 minutes, Orlando City SC took full control of the game.
After a dime of an assist from Mauricio Pereyra, Júnior Urso was on hand to sweep a shot past Raiko Arozarena.
Cue scenes of The Bear rushing towards The Wall to celebrate before putting on a cool pair of shades – iconic!
Rowdies heads could’ve dropped at this point. However, they kept Orlando City SC honest when Lucky Mkosana beat Mason Stajduhar to make it 2-1 on 65 minutes.
From here, Orlando City SC managed the game well, frustrating the away side, much to the frustration of Rowdies head coach Neill Collins.
In stoppage time, the Scotsman crazily got sent off after receiving a second yellow card for entering the field of play and attempting to restart a play himself!
A rush of blood to the head, and then some, Orlando City SC basked in the merriment of defeating their I-4 Derby rivals yet again.
As for Wednesday’s cup opponents Philadelphia Union, Jim Curtin’s side got a bye in the third round and now enter in the Round of 32.
Orlando City SC vs Philadelphia Union – 2015/21 head-to-head stats
Orlando City SC‘s last MLS meeting with Philadelphia Union came back in September 2021.
At the time, City’s season appeared to be unravelling at the worst possible time.
Going down 3-1 at Subaru Park, nemesis Kacper Przybyłko scored a second-half brace to cancel out Ruan‘s 57th minute equaliser.
This is only half of the tale though, especially from an Orlando City SC perspective.
On 37 minutes, Kai Wagner’s deflected strike gave Union the lead but the goal looked illegitimate on two fronts.
Firstly, because Kacper Przybyłko fouled Rodrigo Schlegel in the first phase. Flagged by the linesman, this decision was ignored by Alan Kelly.
In phase two, after Orlando City SC admittedly failed to clear their lines, Jamiro Monteiro was offside during Wagner’s strike.
Pedro Gallese pleaded with Kelly claiming the Cape Verde international was in his eye-line, and thus, interfering with play.
After the delay of consulting VAR, Alan Kelly ruled that the goal would stand.
Bemused and angry, Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC appeared to lose their heads from this point.
Costing City before, this lack of discipline saw the Lions receive five more yellow cards and one red – for Antônio Carlos.
Philadelphia Union 3 Orlando City SC 1 – Highlights – September 19, 2021 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Assessing the 14 MLS head-to-heads so far, Philadelphia Union hold a two-win advantage over the Lions.
Besides league play, Union also hosted Orlando City SC in the 2018 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
On the night, Alejandro Bedoya’s fourth minute opener proved the difference in a disappointing quarter-final outing for City.
Whenever Orlando City SC face Philadelphia Union, we tend to get exciting encounters.
After all, BOTH SIDES HAVE SCORED in the last SIX Major League Soccer head-to-heads.
On Union’s most recent visit to Exploria Stadium (July 2021), a lengthy weather delay preceded the Lions winning 2-1.
Despite the Lions missing Jhegson Méndez and Júnior Urso in central midfield, stand-ins Andrés Perea and Uri Rosell performed well.
With Andrés Perea grabbing his second City goal in just three games, Benji Michel opened the scoring in only the tenth minute.
Kacper Przybyłko’s 68th minute strike made Orlando City SC sweat but the Lions held on for a morale-boosting three points.
Orlando City SC 2 Philadelphia Union 1 – Highlights – July 22, 2021 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Orlando City SC form
Inconsistency. That’s the word right now.
Sure, any Major League Soccer campaign is a marathon, not a sprint, but Oscar Pareja will be irked by City’s home form so far.
When you include the 2-1 win over Tampa Bay Rowdies, we’ve won more home games (4) than we’ve lost (3).
However, Orlando City SC were well beaten in painful home defeats to Los Angeles FC (2-4) and New York Red Bulls (0-3).
A home win against Union in the cup would be great for morale right now.
Especially ahead of two tough away trips to Toronto FC and Austin FC after this game.
Philadelphia Union form
It didn’t work out for him at Inter Miami.
However, Julián Carranza is flourishing at Philadelphia Union.
Currently enjoying a season-long loan from The Herons, the Argentine forward has scored FOUR goals in his last SIX MLS appearances for Union.
Also registering three assists so far this season, the 21-year-old has stepped up well after Kacper Przybyłko’s transfer to Chicago Fire.
Los Angeles FC 2 Philadelphia Union 2 – Highlights – May 7, 2022 (Credit: LAFC)
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