Philadelphia Union saw a trio of shots clank off the post in the club's first match action of the 2021 preseason, falling to Orlando City SC by a 1-0 margin at the Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex in Clearwater, Florida.
After the first 15 minutes of the match saw both sides fighting for possession, the Union took control with attacks on the left side of the pitch. Homegrown Jack de Vries earned the start atop the Union attack and nearly make it 1-0 in the 35th minute. The 18-year-old drifted inside for space and fired a shot from the edge of the 18-yard-box but saw the ball ring off the post.Â
Head Coach Jim Curtin made wholesale changes to the lineup in the second half with the club's 2021 homegrown class featuring in the attack. Eight minutes into the final 45, Paxten Aaronson fired off a shot that too rang off the post. Orlando City took advantage of the miss as they scored in the 61st minute off a shot from Alexander Alvarado.
The Boys in Blue fought back from the deficit, upping the tempo and counter pressing that generate scoring chances. Jack McGlynn took control with a pair of shots including one in the 80th minute that kissed off the crossbar after a right-footed shot from the edge of the box.Â
As the clock continued the click, the Union continued for scoring chances including on the final play of the match. Forcing back-to-back corner kicks, Aaronson connected with Cole Turner inside the box on the game's final play with the midfielder's shot somehow not finding its way into the back of the net after a scramble inside the box.Â
Philadelphia Union returns to preseason action on Saturday with another closed-door scrimmage against Chicago Fire FC. Kick off from the Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex is set for 3 p.m. ET.
