After an 11 day break Philadelphia Union are back in action Wednesday night with a road contest at Orlando City SC that kicks off at 7:30PM ET on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
It's another two-game week for the Boys in Blue as they face off against the league's pair of Florida squads which begins with a midweek tilt against the Lions. Wednesday's contest is the second and final regular season meeting between the two with the Union looking for a tiny bit a revenge after the Purple and Gold snapped the club's long home-unbeaten streak. Orlando came out on the front foot early in the contest with two goals in the opening 10 minutes proving too difficult to overcome. Mauricio Pereyra needed only two minutes to make it 1-0 for the visitors while Ivan Angulo doubled their lead moments later. The Union responded in the 17th minute with Andres Perea getting a goal against his former squad to complete the scoring.
Just like their matchup in March, the Union will be down some key players due to the FIFA international window. In the previous contest Philly was without nine players and will be down some key starters once more with Andre Blake and Daniel Gazdag still away due to international friendlies. Head Coach Jim Curtin announced on Monday that Joe Bendik will start between the posts for the Boys in Blue with the veteran have made two starts already this year including against Orlando City SC.
Both sides are right in the midst of the congested Eastern Conference with the Union sitting four points ahead of Orlando in fourth place and only five points from No. 2 slot. Orlando has been quite strong away from home with a league-best four wins but are near the other end of the league when playing at Exploria Stadium. So far in 2023 they have taken just three wins in nine previous home matches but they have found some strong form recently as they enter with a four-game unbeaten streak.
Wednesday's contest is part of a hectic three-game stretch for Oscar Pareja's squad that started off with a 3-1 setback at the New England Revolution on Saturday night. The two were deadlocked at nil-nil until the 51st minute when Emmanuel Boateng broke things open. Gustavo Bou added another in the second half but Orlando City battled back with Duncan McGuire heading home a goal after a long spell of possession in the Revs box. The comeback was dashed with five minutes remaining when Boy picked out Carles Gil for final goal of the contest to send Orlando City back to Florida without any points.Â
Just like the Union, Orlando City will be down some key playmakers on both ends as well with goalkeeper Pedro Gallese and designated player Facundo Torres expected to miss the contest. The Uruguayan DP has recorded 5 goals and 3 assists over 15 games played this season.
