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Philadelphia Union
Major League Soccer
Sep 11, 2022 at 12.30am UK
PPL Park
Orlando City

Philadelphia
5 - 1
Orlando City

Mbaizo (39'), Uhre (43'), Gazdag (55' pen.), Bedoya (63'), Elliott (87')
Flach (85')
FT(HT: 2-0)
Perea (75')
Schlegel (65')

Preview: Philadelphia Union vs. Orlando City - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Major League Soccer clash between Philadelphia Union and Orlando City, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

MLS Eastern Conference leaders Philadelphia Union will look to claim a fifth consecutive victory when they play host to Orlando City on Saturday.

The visitors also enter the contest in impressive form after a fifth straight win in all competitions helped them lift the US Open Cup in midweek.


Match preview

Kai Wagner in action for Philadelphia Union on August 17, 2022© Reuters

Philadelphia are guaranteed a place in the post-season, but they are still looking to make sure that they clinch first position in the Eastern Conference.

Although second-placed Montreal have a game in hand, the Union enjoy a comfortable eight-point cushion at the top of the standings.

After thrashing both DC United and Colorado Rapids 6-0 in consecutive games, Philadelphia swept aside Atlanta United via a 4-1 scoreline.

They followed three comprehensive wins with another victory last weekend as goals from Mikael Uhre and Daniel Gazdag helped Philadelphia claim a 2-0 away win over New York Red Bulls.

Having avoided defeat at Subaru Park this season, Jim Curtin's side have the chance to clinch an eighth consecutive home victory on Saturday.

Facundo Torres celebrates scoring for Orlando City on September 7, 2022© Reuters

Like their hosts, Orlando will head into Sunday's encounter in confident mood after winning their last five competitive matches.

In their latest outing, the Lions won their first trophy as an MLS side courtesy of a 3-0 win over Sacramento Republic in the US Open Cup final.

Orlando's USL Championship opponents upset three MLS teams to reach the final, but they could not beat a fourth, with a Facundo Torres brace and a Benji Michel strike guiding Orlando to cup glory.

After making history in midweek, Orlando will turn their attention back to MLS action where they will look to cement their place in the playoffs.

Oscar Pareja's side are four points clear of eighth-placed New England, but in their final six games, they will attempt to improve on fifth position.

Philadelphia Union Major League Soccer form:
  • W
  • L
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W

Orlando City Major League Soccer form:
  • L
  • L
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W

Orlando City form (all competitions):
  • L
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W


Team News

Jack McGlynn in action for Philadelphia Union on August 6, 2022© Reuters

Philadelphia have no reported injury concerns ahead of Saturday's contest, although they could make a couple of changes.

Alejandro Bedoya dropped down to the bench last weekend, but the midfielder could come back into the starting lineup to replace Matthew Real.

There could also be a return to the side for Julian Carranza, who will be looking to add to the 14 goals that he has scored this season.

As for Orlando, they are unable to call upon Alexandre Pato and Joey DeZart due to knee problems, while a thigh injury will prevent Jack Lynn from featuring.

Robin Jansson was an unused substitute in midweek after missing the previous three matches through injury, and the defender is expected to be on the bench once again on Saturday.

After top-scoring for Orlando with nine MLS goals this season, Ercan Kara will continue to lead the line for his side.

Philadelphia Union possible starting lineup:
Blake; Harriel, Glesnes, Elliott, Wagner; McGlynn, Flach, Bedoya; Gazdag; Carranza, Uhre

Orlando City possible starting lineup:
Gallese; Ruan, Schlegel, Carlos, Moutinho; Urso, Araujo, Pereyra; Torres, Michel, Kara


SM words green background

We say: Philadelphia Union 3-1 Orlando City

Although Orlando have won their last five games, we think that their winning run will come to an end when they face a Philadelphia side who are looking to clinch an eighth consecutive home victory.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data


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Written by
Ben Sully

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Game History

How you voted: Philadelphia vs Orlando City

Philadelphia Union
68.2%
Draw
22.7%
Orlando City
9.1%
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Eastern Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Inter MiamiInter Miami34228479493074
2Columbus Crew34199672403266
3FC CincinnatiCincinnati341851158481059
4Orlando City34157125950952
5Charlotte FCCharlotte FC34149114637951
6New York City FCNY City34148125449550
7New York Red BullsNY Red Bulls34111495550547
8CF MontrealMontreal341110134864-1643
9Atlanta UnitedAtlanta341010144649-340
10DC United341010145270-1840
11Philadelphia UnionPhiladelphia34910156255737
12Toronto34114194061-2137
13Nashville SCNashville3499163854-1636
14New England RevolutionNew England3494213774-3731
15Chicago Fire3479184062-2230

Western Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Los Angeles FCLos Angeles34197863432064
2Los Angeles GalaxyLA Galaxy34197869501964
3Real Salt LakeSalt Lake341611765481759
4Seattle SoundersSeattle34169951351657
5Houston DynamoHouston34159104739854
6Minnesota UnitedMinnesota Utd34157125849952
7Colorado RapidsColorado34155146160150
8Portland TimbersPortland341211116556947
9Vancouver WhitecapsVancouver34138135249347
10Austin FCAustin34119143948-942
11Dallas34118155456-241
12St Louis City34813135063-1337
13Sporting Kansas CityKansas3487195166-1531
14San Jose EarthquakesEarthquakes3463254178-3721


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