Preview: Philadelphia Union vs. Orlando City SC | MLS is Back Tournament, Group A

MLSsoccer staff

2020 MLS is Back Tournament – Group A, Matchday 13
Philadelphia Union vs. Orlando City SC
ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
Mon., July 20 – 8:00 PM ET

TV: ESPN, TUDN; TSN in Canada

STREAMING: ESPN App, TUDN App in USA; TSN App in Canada

In a match to determine the placement of the top two finishers in Group A, the Philadelphia Union meet Orlando City SC in their group finale Monday night.

Both teams are already mathematically secured of a berth to the knockout rounds, but the match will determine which team advances as A1 or A2 in the Round of 16 bracket. The Lions are ahead of the Union in the standings on goal differential, meaning a win or draw would leave Orlando occupying A1.

Philadelphia Union

Union boss Jim Curtin called nine points in the group stage "everything" to his team and they'll attack this game accordingly. He'll have to make at least one change to his side though with a gaping hole in midfield following the suspension of Jose Martinez for violent conduct. Warren Creavalle was named by Curtin as Martinez's replacement at holding midfield.

The other potential change has come at the center back position with Jack Elliott and Jakob Glesnes each starting one of the first two matches -- wins against NYCFC (1-0) and Orlando City (2-1). It remains to be seen who gets the start.

Updated team roster
Injury Report:
- QUESTIONABLE: Andrew Wooten (F) - upper leg strain
Suspended: Jose Martinez (M)
Suspended after next caution: None
International duty: None

Orlando City SC

While the Union were pre-tournament favorites in Group A, the Lions have been one of the competition's surprises from the first two group stage matches. The players attribute the turnaround to the positivity that Oscar Pareja has brought to the side in his first season as head coach. Young forward Chris Mueller appears to be the biggest beneficiary with three goals scored in two matches.

It remains to be seen how much squad rotation, if any, Pareja uses for this final group match. The Colombian coach did not make any changes to the starting lineup in the first two matches and he may not want to do anything that might interrupt the momentum his side has been building.