Philadelphia Union vs. Orlando City SC
2017 MLS Regular Season
Talen Energy Stadium – Chester, Pa.
Sunday, Oct. 22 – 4 pm ET
WATCH: MLS LIVE
Orlando City will take on the Philadelphia Union at Talen Energy Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Both teams are already out of the Eastern Conference playoff picture, and both will be looking to finish their disappointing 2017 seasons on a high.
Head coach Jason Kreis told reporters this week that as many as 10 Orlando players could be on the “evaluation block” in the coming weeks in looking ahead to the 2018 season. The Kaká era is now over (the club announced last week that he would not travel to Philadelphia, making Saturday's loss to Columbus his Orlando curtain call), but other players will have a chance to impress the staff before offseason moves are made.
Philadelphia are sure to make some offseason overhauls, as well. Roland Alberg and Ilsinho are out of contract this winter and could be playing their last games for the Union, and goalkeeper Andre Blake will likely draw some transfer interest from foreign clubs in January. Head coach Jim Curtin’s future isn’t exactly certain, either.
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Philadelphia Union
- Suspended: None
- International duty: None
- Injury report: OUT: D Ken Tribbett (left Achilles strain), M Maurice Edu (left ankle/left tibia surgery recovery), F Fabian Herbers (sports hernia surgery recovery); QUESTIONABLE: M Warren Creavalle (right hamstring strain), D Joshua Yaro (right knee contusion)
Projected Starting Lineup
(4-2-3-1, left to right)
GK: Andre Blake – Fabinho, Richie Marquez, Jack Elliott, Raymon Gaddis – Haris Medunjanin, Alejandro Bedoya – Fafa Picault, Ilsinho, Chris Pontius – CJ Sapong
Notes: Philadelphia have lost two straight games against Orlando after going unbeaten in their first four matches against OCSC … Chris Pontius (112) and CJ Sapong (97) are first and third in the league in aerials won this year.
Orlando City SC
- Suspended: M Will Johnson (caution accumulation)
- International duty: None
- Injury report: OUT: GK Josh Saunders (neck injury), M Cristian Higuita (calf injury); QUESTIONABLE: F Cyle Larin (hip flexor)
Projected Starting Lineup
(4-4-2, diamond)
GK: Joe Bendik – Donny Toia, Jonathan Spector, Seb Hines, Scott Sutter – Yoshimar Yotun, Servando Carrasco, Giles Barnes, Antonio Nocerino – Carlos Rivas, Dom Dwyer
Notes: In the 18 games that Kaká has started this year, Orlando is averaging 0.8 points per game. In the 15 matches he hasn’t started, Orlando is averaging 1.7 points per game … Orlando has won only twice in their last 13 league matches (2-7-4), and have been outscored 17-25 in those contests.
All-Time Series
Orlando won the lone meeting between the sides this year, beating the Union 2-1 at Orlando City Stadium on March 18.
- Overall: Philadelphia 2 wins (6 goals) … Orlando 2 wins (7 goals) … 2 draws
- At PHI: Philadelphia 2 wins (3 goals) … Orlando 1 win (3 goals) … 0 draws
Referees
Referee: Joseph Dickerson
Assistant Referees: Kermit Quisenberry, Claudiu Badea
Fourth Official: Jorge Gonzalez
Video Assistant Referee (VAR): Mark Geiger
