All pictures property of Loud and Proud Orlando and Sofia Testa Photography
After plenty of divisive rhetoric from some of the Orlando City fan base and for the many others that gave the Lions ZERO chance of winning this game, Orlando City obtained a very important win by defeating one of the top contenders in the Eastern Conference – the Philadelphia Union.
The game ended in a 2-1 score at Subaru Park. With their win, the Lions handed Philly their first home loss in 24 games. A few of the key players from Philadelphia due to international duty, but their backline was the same one they’ve utilized during the past few games. Orlando City, on the other hand, were missing Pedro Gallese for International Duty with Peru – their best player defensively – and DP Facundo Torres.
Orlando City had a phenomenal start, scoring in the second minute of the game. Stajduhar with the long ball over the top of Mauricio Pereyra and then “El Mago” threw a clinical pass to Martin Ojeda and “Tincho” did not miss and put the ball past Joe Bendik. After seven long minutes, Angulo received a fantastic ball from Ojeda and went full speed behind The Union’s defense and Orlando was up 2-0 before the 10th minute. Orlando’s attack was feasting, leaving fans at Subaru Park stunned.
After Orlando’s second goal, Philadelphia started to gain momentum. Orlando conceded several set pieces and The Union started to press high, which made it difficult for Orlando to move the ball in transition. In the 17th minute, former Orlando City lion Andres Perea pulled one back for Philadelphia when he took advantage of a nice cross that went completely past Kyle Smith. Perea celebrated his goal, bringing the score to 2-1 Orlando.
In the 37th minute, Mason Stajduhar made a big save after a fantastic set piece from Elliott. The game went back and forth and neither team could capitalize on their chances. The Union attempted to score through Torres (their best player last night) and Mbaizo.
In the second half, Orlando City played defensively but were unable to score. Ojeda and Angulo kept attacking, but Philly’s back line became solid and created associating plays down the mid to start counterattacks. In the 75th minute, Stajduhar came up big for Orlando City. Bedoya nearly scored with a perfect header, but Mason had a hand up and stopped him in his tracks. Antonio Carlos entered the game to make Orlando’s backline even more solid. After the 80th minute, Ojeda had a huge chance to make the score 3-1 but Bendik came up with a big save for the Union.
Orlando City got their first win away against a powerful Eastern Conference contender. Next up is Nashville at home – a must-win game for the Lions’ journey on their way to the MLS Cup.
Oscar Pareja had this to say on his tactics against the Union:
“I think in the first half we controlled the game. Not just in the transition, but I think in the middle of the field, I think we were much better there. Second half, knowing that we were leading the game and Philadelphia pushed ahead their structure and started just getting more players forward, we understood that those spaces were going to be created. [It was] not easy to sustain it with that pressure, but we found ways. We could have scored two or three goals more in the second half also, so the match was very well played by the players.”
Felipe Martins and his thoughts of the match:
“I think we came to a difficult place with a great game plan. We knew exactly how we wanted to play, the way we wanted to defend, and I think our individual efforts made a difference, but the group is always the strength. I think tonight we showed that we are a team that can play.”
Until next time, Vamos Orlando!
All video footage is thanks to Orlando City Communications
