Photo courtesy of Kevin Keith Michael

On a rainy night at Subaru Park which saw both squads missing key players on international duty, the Philadelphia Union (11-6-10) largely dominated a toothless Orlando City (10-4-13) to win their sixth game in a row. Milan Iloski scored his second hat-trick of the season and Indiana Vassilev put up 1 goal and 2 assists. Although the Lions managed a late rally, it proved to be no more than a consolation. The result gives the Union needed breathing room in the Eastern Conference standings, seeing the Boys in Blue remain in 6th place, but separate themselves from the teams below them, while starting to threaten towards home playoff seeding position.

 

First Half

Philadelphia started the game on the front foot, creating a chance inside the first minute from a Kai Wagner cross that found the head of Bruno Damiani, but the striker was adjudged to be in an offside position. 

Orlando had their first shot of the game in the 3rd minute, with Martin Ojeda finding space in the Union’s box. Japhet Sery Larsen was there to make the block, and while play was halted for a few minutes to review for a potential penalty, center referee Sergii Demianchuk opted not to go to the monitor.

Philly would take the lead in the 11th minute of play. Following a reset of play by the Union after a corner kick, Milan Iloski rounded Atuesta, and was brought down by the Colombian in the box. Demianchuk pointed to the spot, awarding a penalty to the Union. Iloski won it, and he would convert it, putting the Boys in Blue ahead.

Iloski was back at it again a few minutes later. After the Union sprung a quick counter-attack, Indiana Vassilev fed the former UCLA Bruin in behind the Lion’s backline. With Damiani crashing the back post, Iloski had plenty of options, but elected to cut inside and shoot, beating Crepeau for the second time on the night and netting his 14th goal of the season. 

The Union continued to apply pressure for the rest of the half, thoroughly dominating the midfield and outshooting Orlando 12-2, with the lions also seeing three of their players enter the referee’s book, while the Boys in Blue remained outside of disciplinary trouble.

 

Second Half

The Union picked up right where they left off after the break, netting their third goal of the night in the 47th minute. Jesus Bueno slipped Vassilev in on net, and the former Aston Villa man slotted home from close range. 

Milan Iloski would complete his hat-trick, scoring the Union’s fourth goal of the night in the 51st minute. Philly’s leading scorer received a pass outside the 18, and picked out the top corner of the Orlando net, leaving Crepeau no chance. It was his 16th goal of the year, and his second hattrick of the season. He is the only player to record multiple 3-goal games so far this season.

Smelling blood, Philadelphia kept their foot on the gas and were rewarded with another big chance in the 61st minute. Sullivan was played 1v1 with the keeper, but Crepeau was able to make the stop, preventing the scoreline from getting too out of hand.

Orlando scored a consolation goal in the 77th minute, through Ivan Angulo. Japhet Sery Larsen hauled down Daryl Dike just outside the Union’s penalty area. From the ensuing free-kick, Griezmann played a short pass to the Colombian, who fired his shot past Andrew Rick and into the net.

Not content to sit back, Ryan Richter turned to his bench, bringing on forward Ezekiel Alladoh. The Ghanaian was immediately involved, and had two great opportunities to increase the score, but both his shots were saved by Crepeau. 

The Lions, trying to claw their way back, would net a second goal in the 90th minute through Martin Ojeda. However, it would prove to be a futile effort, as the Union held on through 7 minutes of stoppage time to get the win. 

 

3 Points

• Record Setters: With the result tonight, the Union are unbeaten in 12 games, setting a new franchise record for longest unbeaten streak.

• International Absences: Break be damned, the Union put together a complete performance while relying on depth players at several key positions. This is the sign of a team that is completely locked in at all levels.

• Milan the Man: We have to have a serious talk about Iloski’s season. He has 16 goals which has him level with Brian White and Sam Surridge at third place in the Golden Boot race. Add on his 6 assists for 23 goal contributions in 27 games, and it might be time to start seeing his name in MVP conversations.

 

GOALS/ASSISTS

PHI – Milan Iloski (PK) 11’

PHI – Milan Iloski (Indiana Vassilev, Nathan Harriel) 19’

PHI – Indiana Vassilev (Jesus Bueno) 47’

PHI – Milan Iloski (Indiana Vassilev, Jovan Lukic) 51’

ORL – Ivan Angulo (Antoine Griezmann) 78’

ORL – Martin Ojeda (Harvey Sarajian) 90’

 

DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY

ORL – Edward Atuesta (Caution) 11’

ORL – Iago Teodoro (Caution) 37’

ORL – Joran Gerbert (Caution) 43’

PHI – Quinn Sullivan (Caution) 63’

PHI – Japhet Sery Larsen (Caution) 77’

ORL – Ivan Angulo (Caution) 84’

Lineups

Philadelphia Union: Andrew Rick, Ben Bender (Jordan Griffin 90’), Nathan Harriel (C), Japhet Sery Larsen, Kai Wagner, Jovan Lukic, Jesus Bueno, Quinn Sullivan (Alejandro Bedoya 78’), Indiana Vassilev (Jeremy Rafanello 85’), Bruno Damiani (Ezekiel Alladoh 85’), Milan Iloski (Agustin Anello 78’).

Substitutes not used: Finn Sundstrom, Geiner Martinez, George Marks, Rafael Uzcategui

 

Orlando City SC: Maxime Crepeau, Zakaria Taifi (Vinicius Nogueira 54’), Robin Jansson, Iago Teodoro, Bernardo Rhein (Harvey Sarajian 54’), Eduard Atuesta, Jordan Gerbert (Luis Otavio 54’), Martin Ojeda, Ivan Angulo, Antoine Griezmann,  Daryl Dike (Tiago Souza 89’). 

Substitutes not used: Adrian Marin, Javier Otero, Nolan Miller, Gustavo Caraballo, Justin Hylton.

 

Officiating Crew: 

Referee: Sergii Demianchuk

Asst. Referee 1: Kyle Atkins

Asst. Referee 2: Matthew Nelson

Fourth Official: Joe Surgan

VAR: Kevin Terry Jr.

AVAR: Tom Supple