The Philadelphia Union hope rest turns out for the best when they visit Orlando City on Wednesday.
The Union (9-5-3, 30 points) haven’t played since June 10, when a 2-1 loss to the San Jose Earthquakes snapped a nine-game unbeaten run. Consecutive losses have been rare for Philadelphia since the start of last season, dropping two in a row only once since then — earlier this year, March 18 and 25. The second loss came against Orlando City.
Philadelphia is expected to be without several players, as goalkeeper Andre Blake, defender Damion Lowe and midfielder Daniel Gazdag are each on international duty.
“It becomes about now what we do with our group, which will be fresh, healthy and fully ready to go,” coach Jim Curtin said. “Obviously, you guys know the names that are unlikely to be there for both teams, at this stage, but we have to play these games in the international window. It’s a challenge on each team’s depth, and we believe we have good depth.”
Veteran Joe Bendik will get the start in Blake’s absence. It’ll be the third start and fourth appearance of the season for the 34-year-old, his most since making six starts in 2019 as a member of the Columbus Crew.
“He’s an experienced backup, a guy that’s been a starter in this league for 100-plus games. This is the moment now that he’s earned and deserves,” Curtin said.
Orlando (7-5-5, 26 points) had its own unbeaten run of six games come to an end Saturday in a 3-1 loss to the New England Revolution. It marked the first time since April 22 that the club conceded three goals after allowing just five in its six-game streak.
“Obviously, frustrating not getting the result but the analysis of the game is clear,” coach Oscar Pareja said after the match. “I told the boys, ‘Push,’ and they played a very good half in the second half.
“The goals were placed, isolated. We could have defended better and that’s probably the frustration that we carry right now.”
The Lions will get a boost on the back line for Wednesday’s matchup, as defenders Antonio Carlos and Kyle Smith are eligible to return from their respective suspensions due to yellow card accumulation.
Rookie forward Duncan McGuire came off the bench in the loss to New England to score his fifth goal of the season, tying him with Facundo Torres for the team lead. The goal was his third as a substitute, making him the fifth Lions player to tally at least three times off the bench in a season, second-most in club history behind Julio Baptista (five goals in 2016).
Orlando will be without Torres, goalkeeper Pedro Gallese and midfielder Wilder Cartagena, with each on international duty.
–Field Level Media
