Philadelphia Union Strive for Victory Against Orlando City Amid Struggles

The Philadelphia Union continue to seek solutions as their manager acknowledges the team’s psyche is “fragile right now.”

The Union will face Orlando City on Wednesday while still aiming for their second victory of the season. Philadelphia (1-8-3, 6 points) currently sits at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, whereas Orlando (3-8-1, 10 points) is positioned just above them.

While the Union have improved from their six-game losing streak at the start of the season, they are still 0-2-3 in their last five matches. They lamented a missed opportunity after a 2-1 loss to the New England Revolution over the weekend. After taking an early lead due to an own goal, Ezekiel Alladoh had a shot blocked, and shortly thereafter committed a foul, allowing the Revolution to equalize before sealing their victory in the 87th minute.

Alladoh was substituted soon after his mistake and was spotted on the bench with his head in his hands.

“That action could speak (to) our whole season,” coach Bradley Carnell said on Monday. “There have been many small moments throughout the season that could have gotten us back on track, but a bit of adversity or anxiety just throws a spanner in the works, which is unfortunate. We win together, we lose together, and we stick by each other.”

Carnell pointed out that the Union made two critical mistakes leading to New England’s only two shots on target, both of which found the back of the net. “Defensively, I thought we were in charge and in balance, but one moment gets away from us and kind of derails everything. That’s how fragile everything is right now.”

Philadelphia has not scored a goal of its own since April 22 in a 3-3 draw with Toronto, leaving Milan Iloski and Danley Jean Jacques tied for the team lead with two goals each.

Facing an Orlando team that has allowed a league-high 34 goals through 12 matches may offer the Union a chance to reset.

The Lions were unable to capitalize on their 4-3 comeback victory over rival Miami on May 2, suffering a 2-0 defeat at CF Montreal the following Saturday.

Interim coach Martin Perelman stated that Orlando will not underestimate a desperate Philadelphia team. “We are in our process,” Perelman noted. “It’s true that they haven’t gotten the results, but at the same time, they are a strong team. We know them, we respect every opponent. That said, we will prepare for the game just as we always do, focusing on our team, preparing properly, and recovering the players since we played a few days ago.”

Martin Ojeda leads Orlando with seven goals this season.

Carnell also mentioned that Union defender Frankie Westfield is day-to-day with a hip pointer after X-rays returned negative results.