Photo: Paul Rudderow
All-time record: 2–2–2
At Talen Energy Stadium: 2–1–0
At Orlando City Stadium: 0–1–2
Goals for: 6
Goals against: 7
Did you know: Kaka won’t be playing Sunday. The Orlando superstar chose to play his final game for the club at Orlando City Stadium. The Brazilian never really tormented Philadelphia, recording no goals and a single assist against the Union.
March 18, 2017: Orlando City SC 2-1 Philadelphia Union
PSP Match Report Highlights
With the Union unable to get so much as a foothold in the increasingly violent match, it would be the home side that struck first. A ball over the top found Carlos Rivas, kept onside by a lollygagging Fabinho, who held off a challenge from Keegan Rosenberry to put a low cross through Blake’s box. Waiting for it was Cyle Larin, unbothered by Fabinho, and the Canadian executed an easy tap-in to give Orlando the lead six minutes before halftime.
Against the run of play, though, the Union snatched a goal. In the 55th minute, Rosenberry pilfered the ball near midfield and sprung Fabian Herbers into space, who played a ball towards Alejandro Bedoya in the box. Bedoya got a half-touch and the ball bounced to Sapong, making a strong run down the center of the box. His cool headed finish beat Joe Bendik to equalize the scoreline.
Out of nowhere, the Lions struck back. A flick from Rivas and through ball from Perez-Garcia sliced open the Union backline, and Larin made no mistake with his one-time finish.
PSP Match Analysis Highlights
The first loss of the season always hurts, but the way Orlando City SC neutralized many of the successful parts of Philadelphia Union’s early season performances may become the more lasting pain from Saturday.
Beyond their issues with on-ball pressure, the Union’s defense also lacked the coordinated movement that characterized their previous two matches. Orlando City consistently pulled the visitors’ front six up the pitch and attacked the gigantic space left in front of a defense that was extremely hesitant to step high.
Another persistent issue for Philly was a clear lack of focus. Numerous times, the team would turn off when the ball was in seemingly non-threatening positions only to discover moments later that they were suddenly in trouble.
PSP Player Ratings Highlights
On Fabinho — A rough night for Fabinho. Beyond playing Rivas onside for the first goal – and subsequently losing a footrace to Larin – he was continually beaten and hit aimless long ball after aimless long ball to relinquish possession.
One Andre Blake — For chrissakes, please don’t get hurt, Dre. Blake did well to come off his line often, but it’s a bad sign when he has to put himself in such physically precarious positions so often.
Link to MLS Match Center for Stats, Chalkboard, and More
Philadelphia Union
Andre Blake, Fabinho, Richie Marquez, Oguchi Onyewu, Keegan Rosenberry, Derrick Jones (Roland Alberg 77′), Haris Medunjanin, Fabian Herbers (Ilsinho 61′), Alejandro Bedoya, Chris Pontius (Fafa Picault 86′), C.J. Sapong
Unused Subs: John McCarthy, Ray Gaddis, Jack Elliott, Warren Creavalle
Orlando City SC
Joe Bendik, Donny Toia, Jonathan Spector, Jose Aja, Will Johnson, Servando Carrasco (Cristian Higuita 71′), Antonio Nocerino, Giles Barnes, Matias Perez Garcia (Hadji Barry 81′), Carlos Rivas (Pierre Da Silva 89′), Cyle Larin
Unused subs: Josh Saunders, Tommy Redding, Richie Laryea
Scoring summary
OC: Cyle Larin — 39′ (Carlos Rivas, Jonathan Spector)
PHI: C.J. Sapong — 55′
OC: Cyle Larin — 71′ (Matias Perez-Garcia)
Disciplinary summary
OC: Carlos Rivas — 25′ (Not retreating)
PHI: Oguchi Onyewu — 28′ (Unsporting behavior)
PHI: Haris Medunjanin — 80′ (Unsporting behavior)
OC: Matias Perez Garcia — 80′ (Unsporting behavior)
OC: Jonathan Spector — 82′ (Dissent)
October 16, 2016: Philadelphia Union 0-2 Orlando City SC
PSP Match Report Highlights
The Union turned in one of their worst home performances of the season, losing 2-0 to Orlando with a chance to clinch a playoff spot.
Carlos Rivas and Julio Baptista were on target as Orlando defeated Philadelphia Union 2-0 on Sunday afternoon in Chester. Hosting their biggest regular season game in five seasons, the Union turned in a completely flat performance that left those remaining at full time booing the team off the pitch.
Fabian Herbers had Philadelphia’s best chance to score in the 30th minute. Fabinho found Tranquillo Barnetta in the center of the park, who passed the ball to Herbers out on the right with a chance to shoot first time from 17 yards. But the rookie got under the bouncing ball and fired high over the crossbar.
PSP Analysis and Player Ratings Highlights
What initially looked like a horrific performance was really the result of a bunch of bad decisions. The Union were the better team, but they let themselves down with by giving up control of the match.
Philadelphia Union are now 3-4-2 with Alejandro Bedoya starting. On the other hand, Philly was 3-2-3 with Vincent Nogueira starting and 5-7-4 without either player in the lineup. However, these numbers don’t tell much of a story.
The team’s problems were mostly self-inflicted as they had every chance to control the match from start to finish. The Union just made a few bad decisions. And a few more. Then a woeful mistake that led to a goal… and a few more bad decisions.
Looking back, the first surprise is how well Orlando defended in their 4-2-2-2 setup. The back line, never threatened over the top, held fairly high, and the deep midfield pairing aggressively attacked anything that came through the channels.
Link to Match Center for Stats, Chalkboard and more
Philadelphia Union
Andre Blake, Fabinho, Richie Marquez, Ken Tribbett, Keegan Rosenberry, Brian Carroll (Roland Alberg 71′), Alejandro Bedoya, Tranquillo Barnetta, Fabian Herbers (Charlie Davies 81′), Chris Pontius (Ilsinho 68′), C.J. Sapong
Unused Subs: John McCarthy, Ray Gaddis, Maurice Edu, Warren Creavalle,
Orlando City FC
Joe Bendik, Rafael Ramos, Seb Hines, Mikey Ambrose, Jose Aja, Matias Perez Garcia (Servando Carrasco 87′), Antonio Nocerino, Cristian Higuita, Kaka, Cyle Larin (Julio Baptista 71′), Carlos Rivas (Kevin Molino 81′)
Unused subs: Earl Edwards, Tommy Redding, Kevin Alston, Hadji Barry
Scoring Summary
ORL: Carlos Rivas — 59′
ORL: Julio Baptista — 90+5′
Disciplinary Summary
PHI: Richie Marquez (unsporting behavior) — 38′
PHI: Fabian Herbers (unsporting behavior) — 44′
ORL: Jose Aja (unsporting behavior) –57′
PHI: Tranquillo Barnetta (unsporting behavior) –67′
May 25, 2016: Orlando City 2-2 Philadelphia Union
PSP Match Report Highlights
Ken Tribbett scored his first MLS goal to rescue a road point for Philadelphia Union against Orlando City on Wednesday night.
The Union went ahead in the 52nd minute when Tranquillo Barnetta scored his second of the season, but goals from Kevin Molino in the 68th minute and Cyle Larin in the 71st put Orlando ahead. In the 75th minute, Tribbett found a loose ball after a Union corner kick to make sure Philadelphia took a point home.
An uneven first half’s best moment was a penalty save from Andre Blake on Kaka in the 36th minute, whom he fouled trying to make a play on the ball coming out of his goal. Both of Orlando’s goals had Union players questioning the referee, with Molino’s looking like it came after a possible foul on Blake and Larin’s appearing to not cross the goal line. Nevertheless, Philadelphia showed resilience to fight back and earn a draw.
PSP Analysis and Player Ratings Highlights
The Union got points from some ugly matches when Vincent Nogueira was hurt earlier this season. Then they got a bit classier when he returned. With the Frenchman on the shelf again, it’s back to ugly. But as Jim Curtin said after the match when he was “giving credit” to just about every person, place, and thing in Orlando on Wednesday: It’s all about getting those points. And the Union keep doing it.
Link to Match Center for Stats, Chalkboard and more
Philadelphia Union
Andre Blake, Fabinho, Richie Marquez, Josh Yaro (Ken Tribbett, 45), Keegan Rosenberry, Brian Carroll, Warren Creavalle, Chris Pontius (Fabian Herbers, 70), Tranquillo Barnetta, Sebastien Le Toux (Leo Fernades, 89), CJ Sapong
Unused subs: Matt Jones, Ray Gaddis, Roland Alberg, Walter Restrepo,
Orlando City
Joe Bendik, Brek Shea, David Mateos, Tommy Redding, Kevin Alston, Servando Carrasco, Cristian Higuita, Carlos Rivas (Kevin Molino, 67), Kaka, Adrian Winter (Julio Baptista, 67), Cyle Larin ( Hadji Barry, 84)
Unused subs: Earl Edwards, Antonio Nocerino, Harrison Heath, Luke Boden
Scoring Summary
PHI — Tranquillo Barnetta (Chris Pontius, Ken Tribbett) — 52
ORL — Kevin Molino — 68
ORL — Cyle Larin (Kaka) — 71
PHI — Ken Tribett — 75
Disciplinary Summary
ORL — Kaká (Unsporting Behavior) — 32
PHI — Sebatien Le Toux (Dissent) — 33
ORL — Carlos Rivas (Unsporting Behavior) — 64
PHI — Tranquillo Barnetta (Dissent) — 72
ORL — Servando Carrasco (Unsporting Behavior) — 76
ORL — Cristian Higuita (Unsporting Behavior) — 89
ORL — David Mateos (Red — Serious Foul) — 90 + 3
April 8, 2016: Philadelphia Union 2-1 Orlando City
PSP Match Report Highlights
Substitute Tranquillo Barnetta curled home a sensational free kick in the 90th minute to give Philadelphia Union a 2-1 win over Orlando City and their first visit to the top of the standings since the Peter Nowak era.
C.J. Sapong got the scoring started early with a close range finish in just the 2nd minute before Adrian Winter was able to equalize for Orlando with a clever run and finish just before halftime.
PSP Analysis and Player Ratings Highlights
Tranquillo Barnetta’s shot was brilliant. It took your breath away so your mind couldn’t process what it was seeing, then it went off freerunning through your cortices gleefully lighting off whatever adrenaline-fueled fireworks it could find.
Blake’s save, on the other hand, was unbelievable. Who makes unbelievable saves this regularly in their first year as a starter? Blake has bailed the Union out so often that it’s hard to tell the defensive boat has as many holes as it does.
But in between odd lapses of concentration, Philly’s defense has become more and more organized, particularly against teams attempting to penetrate the final third. And this organization has been matched by a steadily improving press that was at its best against Orlando City on Friday.
PSP Postgame Video and Quote sheet
Link to Match Center for Stats, Chalkboard and more
Philadelphia Union
Andre Blake, Keegan Rosenberry, Ken Tribbett, Richie Marquez, Fabinho, Brian Carroll, Vincent Nogueira, Roland Alberg (Tranquillo Barnetta 63′), Chris Pontius (Leo Fernandes 85′), Sebastien Le Toux (Fabian Herbers 63′), C.J. Sapong
Unused Subs: Matt Jones, Ray Gaddis, Anderson Conceicao, Walter Restrepo
Orlando City SC
Joe Bendik, Rafael Ramos, Aurelien Collin, Seb Hines, Luke Boden, Darwin Ceren, Servando Carrasco, Antonio Nocerino (Julio Baptista 90+1), Kevin Molino (Carlos Rivas 90+1), Adrian Winter, Kaka
Unused Subs: Earl Edwards, David Mateos, Kevin Alston, Hadji Barry
Scoring Summary
PHI: C.J. Sapong – 2′
ORL: Adrian Winters – 43′ (Kevin Molino)
PHL: Tranquillo Barnetta – 90′
Disciplinary Summary
PHI: Fabinho (foul) – 30′
October 25, 2015: Philadelphia Union 1-0 Orlando City
PSP Match Report Highlights
Philadelphia Union ended a disappointing 2015 campaign with a 1-0 win Sunday over a listless Orlando City SC side. Sebastien Le Toux scored from the penalty spot in the 41st minute, and Andre Blake preserved the win with a series of impressive saves.
The loss dashed Orlando’s extremely slim playoff hopes.
PSP Analysis and Player Ratings Highlights
The final match of the 2015 season could have been a drab coda to a dark season. Instead, it felt much more like peek into the future.
So while it is tempting to pull out hair and ask, why couldn’t they have played like this all season!?!? Let’s use the last ninety minutes of a rough season to paint some hope onto the 2016 picture. After all, isn’t that what Earnie would (probably) want us to do?
PSP Postgame Video and Quote sheet
Link to Match Center for Stats, Chalkboard and more
Philadelphia Union
Andre Blake, Ray Gaddis, Ethan White, Richie Marquez, Fabinho (Warren Creavalle 86′), Michael Lahoud, Tranquillo Barnetta, Vincent Nogueira, Eric Ayuk (Fernando Aristeguieta 67′), CJ Sapong
Unused Subs: John McCarthy, Brian Carroll, Andrew Wenger, Conor Casey, Cristian Maidana
Orlando City SC
Josh Ford, Luke Boden, Aurelien Colin, Seb Hines, Adrian Winter (Rafael Ramos 62′), Kaka, Carlos Rivas, Cristian Higuita, Brek Shea (Pedro Ribeiro 76′), Darwin Ceren, Cyle Larin
Unused Subs: David Mateos, Servando Carrasco, Eric Avila, Lewis Neal
Scoring Summary
PHI: Sebastien Le Toux — 41′ (PK)
Disciplinary Summary
PHI: Richie Marquez (foul) — 15′
ORL: Brek Shea (foul) – 20′
ORL: Darwin Ceren (foul) – 35′
ORL: Luke Boden (foul) – 42′
ORL: Adrian Winter (foul) – 55′
PHI: Ray Gaddis (foul) – 59′
ORL: Rafael Ramos (foul) – 70′
ORL: Cristian Higuita (foul) – 72′
ORL: Cristian Higuita (foul – second yellow) – 86′
ORL: Kaka (unsportsmanlike conduct) – 86′
PHI: Vincent Nogueira (foul) – 88′
August 8, 2015: Orlando City 0-0 Philadelphia Union
PSP Match Report Highlights
On a hot and sweaty night in the Citrus Bowl, Philadelphia Union earned a 0-0 draw with Orlando City SC.
In a vacuum, this would normally be a good result, but with Philly’s current place in the table it can only be considered a disappointment. That’s especially true in light of the second half, where Philadelphia generated a string of gilt-edged chances to take the lead, only for Orlando goalkeeper Tally Hall, or the Union’s own miscues, to keep them off the board.
PSP Analysis and Player Ratings Highlights
Rare is the match where the positives and negatives weigh out so equally that they genuinely seem to reflect the goalless scoreline.
Philadelphia Union bracketed Kaka beautifully, defended efficiently, and grew into the match rather than fading down the stretch as they have done so often this season.
Orlando City played into Philly’s hands by sending out a flaccid, uncreative midfield that lacked width and movement. But let that not take away from this one important fact: Put any ten MLS players around Kaka and he still has a fighting chance to beat you. Brian Carroll and the returning Michael Lahoud made sure that didn’t happen, and it made a porous Union defense look impregnable.
Link to Match Center for Stats, Chalkboard and more
Philadelphia Union
John McCarthy, Fabinho, Richie Marquez, Steven Vitoria, Ray Gaddis, Brian Carroll, Michael Lahoud (Warren Creavalle, 79), Sebastien Le Toux (Fernando Aristeguieta, 79), Tranquillo Barnetta (Eric Ayuk, 60), Cristian Maidana, CJ Sapong
Orlando City
Tally Hall, Luke Boden, Conor Donovan (Tommy Redding, 14), Aurélien Collin, Corey Ashe, Cristian Higuita, Servando Carrasco (Adrian Winter, 72), Lewis Neal (Carlos Rivas, 65), Kaká, Darwin Cerén, Cyle Larin
Scoring Summary
None
Disciplinary Summary
ORL — Luke Boden (Unsporting Behavior) — 66
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