Philadelphia Union vs Orlando City

Photography by: Rodolfho Chona

The Philadelphia Union returned to Subaru Park on Saturday night, facing Orlando City SC in a tense Eastern Conference battle that ended in a 0-0 draw. Despite dominating possession and outshooting their opponents 21-6, the Union couldn’t convert their chances, leaving them to settle for a point.

It was a frustrating outcome for a team that controlled much of the match but came up against a resilient Orlando defense and an inspired performance from goalkeeper Pedro Gallese. For the Union’s Andre Blake, however, the night marked a milestone as he earned his 80th MLS shutout and his second clean sheet of the season.

Head Coach Bradley Carnell opted for another lineup change, introducing Bruno Damiani for his second start of the season alongside Tai Baribo in the attack. Mikael Uhre, a regular starter, began the match on the bench for the first time this year. The midfield and backline remained largely consistent, with Homegrowns Frankie Westfield and Nate Harriel swapping sides to adjust to Orlando’s offensive threats. Missing from the lineup was Kai Wagner, who remained sidelined with an oblique injury. On Orlando’s side, the Lions had to adjust as well, with central midfielders César Araújo and Eduard Atuesta absent due to tightness.

The match began with intensity but little precision, as both sides struggled to find rhythm in the early exchanges. The Union created the bulk of the chances in the first half, outshooting Orlando 10-1. Despite their efforts, they couldn’t capitalize on their opportunities. Orlando’s best chance of the half came in the 41st minute when Martin Ojeda and Marco Pašalić combined for a breakaway, only for Blake to make a stunning diving save to deny the Croatian forward.

After a scoreless first half, the Union came out of the locker room with renewed urgency. Less than two minutes into the second half, a sharp sequence of passes set up Damiani for a close-range effort, but Gallese stood tall to block the shot. The Peruvian goalkeeper was instrumental in keeping his side in the game, making four crucial saves throughout the night.

As the match wore on, Orlando’s counterattacking threats forced Blake into action again. In the 70th minute, Ojeda orchestrated a dangerous break, threading a pass to Luis Muriel for a one-time effort that Blake expertly parried away. The Union pushed hard for a winner in the closing moments, introducing 15-year-old Cavan Sullivan, who nearly etched his name into the record books as the second-youngest scorer in MLS history. His sliding effort, however, went just wide.

The draw highlighted key storylines for both teams. For the Union, the absence of Kai Wagner continues to loom large, as their offense lacked its usual spark down the left flank. Meanwhile, Blake’s heroics underscored his value to the team, as he bailed out defensive lapses on multiple occasions. For Orlando, the clean sheet marked an improvement in their defensive structure, even as their vaunted attack failed to find the back of the net for the first time this season.

Both teams will look to build on the result as they move forward in their campaigns. The Union head to Citi Field next Saturday to face New York City FC, while Orlando will aim to extend their unbeaten streak in their upcoming fixtures. For now, the stalemate in Chester leaves both sides pondering missed opportunities and hard-earned points.