Photo courtesy of Philadelphia Union

Who: Philadelphia Union vs Orlando City SC

What: MLS Matchday 13

Where: Inter & Co Stadium, Orlando, Florida

When: Wednesday, May 13th, 7:30 PM EST

Watch: Apple TV

Whistle: REF: Sergii Boiko; AR1: Corey Rockwell; AR2L Adam Wienckowski; 4TH: Elvis Osmanovic; VAR: Joe Dickerson; AVAR: Craig Lowry

Winless in 5, the Union enter play at the bottom of the Eastern Conference and second-to-bottom of the Supporters’ Shield standings. Orlando, despite having three wins in their last five, haven’t been much better, as their 10-point tally has them just one spot above Philadelphia. 

Orlando has won two of the last five meetings between the two sides, which also includes two draws. The Union did take four points out of a possible six in 2025 after winning 4-2 on Matchday 1. Goalscorers include Tai Baribo, Daniel Gazdag, and Michael Uhre, though none of them are still at the club. Orlando’s scorer that day, Marco Pašalić, is questionable to play in Wednesday’s fixture. 

Scouting Report: Orlando City SC (W-L-W-W-L)

Although the Lions’ points tally doubles that of the Union, they still sit 14th in the East. They’ve scored six more goals than the Union (16) but have conceded more than anyone in MLS, having been scored on 34 times in 12 games. They haven’t kept a shutout in the league all year, and only beat USL League One side FC Naples 1-0 in the US Open Cup Round of 32. 

Could a Shakeup be the Cure?

Head Coach Martin Perelman has stuck with a 5-3-2 formation for a large part of the year, only changing his side’s shape once in their last five games, which resulted in a 4-3 win over reigning MLS champs Inter Miami. A five-back defensive shape can be really good for teams who want to sit back and absorb pressure before launching a quick counterattack, although Orlando haven’t been good at absorbing the pressure. They sit 26th in MLS in average possession, averaging just 44.4% per game, signaling a desire to let the game come to them. The results aren’t desirable, though, as they’ve conceded nearly three goals a game, and have a -12.7xG difference, somehow better than their -18 goal difference.  A change in formation, as evidenced by the Florida Derby win a few weeks ago, could be the Flex Seal needed to stop the defensive leak. 

Reinforcements are coming, and they’re needed!

Martin Ojeda has been the only consistent scorer for the Lions in 2026, having scored seven times. That accounts for nearly half of his side’s goals, with the other nine having been netted by seven others, including a pair each from Pašalić and Spicer. Ojeda has mainly been lined up in attack for Orlando this year and has been one of the few bright spots. 

A bright spot that has only had the chance to produce excitement thus far is the signing of Antoine Griezmann, the French international with hundreds of goals and a plethora of trophies in his long career. His contract officially begins in June, but he likely won’t be a mainstay in the squad until after the World Cup. Although not a worry for right now, Griezmann will provide a lot of threat on the front line for Orlando, and could give this team a boost in the second half of the year. 

Injury Report: OUT: Joran Gerbet (knee); QUESTIONABLE: Marco Pašalić (thigh), Nolan Miller (knee)

Disciplinary Report: N/A

 

Scouting Report: Philadelphia Union (D-D-L-D-L)

In a dozen games this year, the Union have earned points in just a third of them. In fairness, that lone win and three draws have come in the last six games, but one goal in their last 270 minutes of play is cause for concern. They’ve scored 10 goals in those 12 games, with three coming in a 3-3 draw with Toronto last month. Now out of the CONCACAF Champions Cup and not participating in the US Open Cup, Head Coach Bradley Carnell’s side can focus solely on their MLS slate, with enough time left to make a comeback and put a playoff charge together. 

Who Wants it Most?

Seven different players have scored for the Boys in Blue this season, although Milan Iloski and Danley Jean Jacques lead the team with a pair each. Having your team leaders in goals sitting on just two after 12 games, with one of the leaders being a defensive midfielder, is not a good sign. One of the attackers, ideally one who was brought in to try and replicate the production of the Gazdags, Uhres, and Baribos of the past, needs to step up and bag some goals. 

The attack seems to be mostly healthy at this stage, with Anello returning and Iloski, Ezekiel Alladoh, and Bruno Damiani all getting consistent minutes. Youngster Cavan Sullivan has started to play serious minutes as well, although he’s still searching for his first goal. 

It’s Not Over Yet

With 22 games still to play and just a nine-point gap to the playoff places, the Union are not out of contention by any means. That being said, they need to get going. Their next five games against Eastern Conference teams feature the 14th-ranked Orlando, 12th-ranked Columbus, 13th-ranked Atlanta, and 9th-ranked Red Bulls. The Union have obviously not been good this year, but this run, which includes three home games, could provide a lot of room to garner some momentum. The World Cup break comes after the match against Inter Miami on May 24th, and will last a full two months, but a pair of wins headed into the match against the Messi-led side could get the Union back into the mix and give the side something to smile about during the summer. 

Injury Report: OUT: Jesus Bueno (ankle), Eddy Davis III (hamstring), Japhet Sery (shoulder), Phillip Ndinga (hamstring), Quinn Sullivan (knee)

Disciplinary Report: Japhet Sery, Olwethu Makhanya at risk of suspension (Yellow Card Accumulation)

 

Player to Watch: Justin Ellis

18-year-old Justin Ellis has finally broken into the Orlando City first team after 44 games for the B-Team, and has been really productive. He’s scored and assisted twice each in the last four games, including a goal and an assist in a 4-3 win over New England in the US Open Cup Round of 16.

Ellis has only played one full 90 in MLS play this season, but that hasn’t limited his effectiveness. He’s good on the ball, with the ability to create for himself and others, and wins a solid amount of aerial duels for a youngster in a physicality-based league. 

 

Prediction: 1-1 draw

Both sides struggle to score, it’s true, and neither side has been the bees’ knees defensively. They’ve picked up four of their points on the road this year, while Orlando’s won only two of their five home games. The pair of sides have drawn four times in the 11 times they’ve played in Orlando, and drew 0-0 in their most recent contest, last April in Chester. Neither side has won a lot this year, and that trend can absolutely be expected to continue.