After drawing 1-1 at rivals Atlanta United, and then facing Arsenal in a glamour friendly in between, Orlando City SC are back in MLS action as they welcome Philadelphia Union to Exploria Stadium.
Despite going three MLS games unbeaten, some sections of the City fanbase are growing increasingly frustrated at Oscar Pareja‘s tactics and an inability to kill games off in what is proving an inconsistent 2022 campaign.
When the Major League Soccer fixtures are released, Atlanta United away is a game most City supporters circle right away.
With no love lost between the clubs’ supporters, this mutual dislike was definitely evident on the field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on July 17.
A feisty affair that saw referee Victor Rivas produce 7 yellow cards, tough challenges and gamesmanship ruled in a difficult game for City supporters to watch.
Starting strongly, Mauricio Pereyra‘s fantastic curling free-kick earned Orlando City SC an early 10th minute lead.
His first MLS goal for a long, long time, the home side were rattled and resorted to an embarrassing incident of simulation right before half-time.
Rushing into the City penalty box, Marcelino Moreno got the wrong side of Kyle Smith with Smith’s hands admittedly on the Argentine.
However, there was very little force from Smith and Moreno embarrassingly dived to the ground to try and earn a penalty – an incident that the MLS Disciplinary Committee have since fined him for.
Fortunately, it was a no call from Victor Rivas and Orlando City SC went into the break with a 0-1 lead.
But the second-half was really, really poor from City’s perspective.
With Josef Martínez and former Lion Dom Dwyer waiting in reserve, the strikers entered from the bench after the hour mark.
Causing carnage, Oscar Pareja went ultra defensive and introduced Antônio Carlos alongside Robin Jansson AND Rodrigo Schlegel.
City supporters have long been familiar with Pareja’s pragmatism, a trademark approach some would say invites pressure and is too negative.
Completely losing all attacking impetus, Juan José Purata equalised on 71 minutes before a barnstorming finish.
On 82 minutes, Dom Dwyer unleashed a fierce strike that Pedro Gallese tentacled away in yet another save-of-the-season contender.
Then, in stoppage time, nemesis Josef Martínez hit Gallese’s post on the breakaway after a sloppy giveaway from sub Alexandre Pato.
Just when you thought the Lions had thrown it away, Alexandre Pato whacked a long-range strike off Rocco Ríos Novo’s post on the counter.
A goal that would’ve been daylight robbery given City’s virtually nonexistent attacking threat, Orlando City SC were happy to steal a point in the end.
As for Saturday’s opponents Philadelphia Union, Jim Curtin’s side have just won their last three consecutive MLS fixtures.
This will be a tough examination of Orlando City SC‘s credentials after already contesting five fixtures this July.
Orlando City SC vs Philadelphia Union – 2015/22 head-to-head stats
The last time these two met, Orlando City SC dumped Philadelphia Union out of the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
Meeting in the fourth round, Oscar Pareja‘s side had defeated I-4 Derby rivals Tampa Bay Rowdies a round earlier.
Looking back, City scored two goals within just three second-half minutes to progress to the Round of 16.
On 54 minutes, Michael Halliday raided up the right wing before the ball reached Ercan Kara in Union’s penalty area.
With the Austrian unleashing an opportunistic strike, a deflection took it past Matt Freese to open the scoring.
Just three minutes later, Andrés Perea struck a one-time fearsome drive from downtown to make it two.
Immediately latching onto a misplaced Union clearance, the goal was fitting of winning any game.
On 77 minutes, Stuart Findlay’s goal made Orlando City SC sweat but Oscar Pareja‘s side hung on to advance.
Orlando City SC 2 Philadelphia Union 1 – Highlights – May 10, 2022 (Credit: Nelson Rubio Sports)
Over in Major League Soccer play, Orlando City SC have faced Philadelphia Union FOURTEEN times since 2015.
Right now, Jim Curtin’s Union hold a two-win advantage over the Lions.
The clubs’ last league meeting was at Subaru Park in September 2021 with City suffering a 3-1 loss.
Goalscoring 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)
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 MLS 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 form
The reason Orlando City SC signed new boy Nicholas Gioacchini was to add some much-needed goals up front.
Oscar Pareja‘s Lions have scored TWO OR MORE GOALS in only SEVEN MLS fixtures this season.
The only time we scored three in a single game was in that embarrassing 3-5 home defeat to an out-of-form D.C. United back on July 4.
Currently the joint-fourth lowest goalscorers in the Eastern Conference (26 goals), this desperately needs to improve if we are to solidify a spot above the red line.
Philadelphia Union form
Orlando City SC daren’t give away a penalty on Saturday with Dániel Gazdag currently in ice cool form from 12 yards.
The Hungarian international midfielder has tucked away two penalties in each of Union’s last two MLS victories against Inter Miami (1-2) and New England Revolution (2-1).
A real solid pick up for Jim Curtin’s Philadelphia Union, Gazdag has cemented himself as one of Major League Soccer’s most underrated players this season.
Currently tallying nine goals and five assists in 2022, he is certainly one to keep close tabs on.
Philadelphia Union 2 New England Revolution 1 – Highlights – July 16, 2022 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
…
Support Orlando City UK
Passionate about what we do, Orlando City UK content will always be free. The most important thing for us is sharing our love of Orlando City SC with you all and donations are by no means expected. However, if you enjoy our content, a token towards the regular maintenance of Orlando City UK is hugely appreciated!
