A floundering Philadelphia Union hosted Orlando City Sunday afternoon, with playoffs in the back of everyone’s mind. Results had not gone in favor of the Union in recent matches, but with the international break come and gone the Union looked revitalized as the kick-off was taken. Right off the bat the Union barreled down the Orlando midfield, looking to attack immediately. Philadelphia sought to essentially create a playoff atmosphere in their fight for the playoffs. However in their desire to create a physical, high tempo atmosphere, the Union lowered their own level of play, missing easy passes and shots. The game degraded as it drew on until Orlando sealed it with a late goal.
Orlando notched the first opportunity of the game in the 11th minute. Carlos Rivas was released in the channel, taking advantage of a Ken Tribbet slip-up. Rivas looked split in his decision between a cross and a shot as his effort rolled between the far post and the oncoming Cyle Larin. Had he made up his mind he likely could have either finished his chance, or completed a pass to Larin.
A well-played Union counter attack nearly resulted in a goal 10 minutes later, where Seb Hines had to make a last ditch slide to prevent Tranquillo Barnetta from an easy tap-in. CJ Sapong had space to turn as the Union broke on a 4v4. He played Fabian Herbers outside of left back Mikey Ambrose, at which point the German rookie rolled a great cross into the path of Barnetta, though it was ultimately cut out, the play highlighted the Union’s desire to play direct and attack with speed. The first half for the Union looked very similar to this, high intensity and intent to attack. The second half seemed to change things for the Union. Suddenly they resorted to playing long balls and playing side-to-side.
The best chance of the half fell to Fabian Herbers, who, much to the chagrin of his teammates, proceeded to sky his effort above the net. Fabinho split at least 4 Orlando defenders with a great centering pass to Tranquillo Barnetta around 35 yards out. Barnetta took his time and waited for enough space to play Herbers into the Orlando box. Herbers then used one touch from 14 yards out to slot home, but unfortunately he seemed to forget his training, hitting a poor shot that went nowhere near the net, much to the dismay of Tranquillo Barnetta.
Ken Tribbet will be thanking his lucky stars tonight that he didn’t concede an own goal in the 43rd minute. Kaka’s attempted cross put Tribbet in a tough position facing his own net. The rookie center back tried to clear the ball, but ended up launching it backwards, 2 yards from his own goal. The ball careened off of the far post and back at Andre Blake. The Jamaican keeper was quick to get his hands up and catch the ball, preventing any further harm.
An Alejandro Bedoya give-away gifted Orlando two great chances. For the first, Kaka burst down the Union’s right side before slotting the ball to Matias Perez Garcia, who’s shot from 10 yards was well blocked by Richie Marquez. The rebound was met by Cristian Higuita, who’s shot looked dangerous, even causing Blake to cover his near post, but it ultimately was too far, as the Union collectively swept a bead of sweat from their brow. The first half came to a close shortly thereafter.
The Second half picked up where the first left off. The speed of play was high, with both teams playing direct, but the play wasn’t pretty. Physicality reigned as players from both teams fell under challenges, most of which were waved on by head ref Ricardo Salazar.
The first chance of the half came to CJ Sapong. The forward latched onto a cross from Fabinho, acrobatically redirecting it on goal from 16 yards out. Had it gone in it certainly would have been a goal of the year candidate, but instead it flew straight into Joe Bendik’s grateful grasp.
Orlando City scored the first goal of the night, which was certainly an odd affair. Following a corner kick, Fabinho failed to make a simple 10 yard pass to Keegan Rosenberry. Carlos Rivas intercepted the pass and flew down the field, creating a 1-on-1 with Blake, though Rosenberry was hot on the chase. Rivas took a big touch near the box, allowing Blake to come out and close down the shot. However the ball deflected off Blake and back into Rivas, trickling toward the goal. Rosenberry was able to catch up to the ball, but he couldn’t clear it from the net, instead stumbling and sending it into his own net. The official ruling a an Own Goal for Keegan Rosenberry, though there wasn’t much he could do.
Fabinho and Sapong linked up again to good affect agin. However, Sapong’s header was too close to Bendik, giving the Orlando keeper a chance to hold the ball.
After a great counter the Union nearly equalized, if not for heroics by keeper Joe Bendik. Fabian Herbers decided to take on the whole Orlando team, pushing the ball up field past 3 different defenders. His back post cross was a bit sloppy, and was deflected up by Seb Hines. Chris Pontius pounced on the loose ball, and leapt above the Orlando defenders to head the ball with pace on net from a short distance. Bendik reacted quickly to make a fantastic save on the goal line, parrying the ball out and keep the score 1-0.
On the other side of the field a signature Andre Blake save kept the Union within 1 goal. Rivas played Garcia behind the Union back line with Tribbet on the chase. Garcia cut to his favored left foot, turning Tribbet and allowing Garcia to attempt a curler from inside the box. Blake leapt heroically to push the ball away from the net. It was truly a world class save. One that the Union fans have seen often this year, but likely won’t see far into the future as it appears Blake is not long for the MLS given his inherent talent.
Blake once again came to the rescue when a poorly hit cross almost swerved into the near post. Blake put his body on the line, diving into the post to push the ball away from danger.
A great stoppage time chance fell to Tranquillo Barnetta, though it was likely the last person the Union would want with the a headed opportunity. Alejandro Bedoya got enough space on the edge of the box to whip in a great cross that found Barnetta’s head on a dot. But the pace was likely too much as Barnetta’s header fizzed wide.
The game was sealed after another defensive mistake, this time from Richie Marquez, and his first costly one of the year. He attempted to head a mishit punt from Joe Bendik, but instead flicked his header back into the path of Julio Baptista. Andre Blake was caught in no man’s land as Baptista put it past Blake despite the keeper making a touch on the ball.
Thoughts:
Barnetta, Pontius and Sapong pressed the Orlando back-line incessantly early on. Either they will tire out, or force a big mistake out of the Orlando defenders. In the end they tired out and the press dropped.
The game has been very physical, with plenty of 50/50 challenges. Both teams are playing this game like it is do or die, going into each potential challenge with vigor and haste.
Philly aren’t targeting Sapong’s head as much instead opting to find Chris Pontius, who has won almost all of his duels in the air.
Bedoya has been sloppy on multiple occasions, giving away possession in the defensive third. Both times the Union was let off the hook by either good defending or a foul.
The Union took the playoff atmosphere a bit too literally. The game was far too physical as any semblance of intensity devolved into a 50/50 challenge.
Larin has been a handful for both Marquez and Tribbet. He has shown incredible pace and strength, holding off both defenders on several occasions. Meanwhile if the ball is put behind he will beat both for pace. He was subbed off before being able to make a real impact, but his presence was important for the first 70 minutes.
Bedoya is not alone in being sloppy in the back. The whole team seems to have caught on, rushing passes and taking poor touches. (Fabinho cough cough)
The Union have created several great opportunities in the box, but have been unable to latch onto any of them, with a few inside the six yard box just narrowly missing the runner.
The Union ended it’s 3 games season series with Orlando 1-1-1 after this afternoon’s tough loss.
The Union started strongly, but just couldn’t string enough together. Perhaps they should have scored from a few of their opportunities, but the two goals conceded were likely the two worst goals the team have given up all year.
Lineup:
Bendik (1)
Ramos (27), Hines (3), Aja (4), Ambrose (45),
Garcia (30), Higuita (7), Nocerino (22),
Kaka (10)
Larin (9), Rivas (11)
Sapong (17)
Pontius (13), Barnetta (10), Herbers (14)
Carroll (7), Bedoya (11)
Fabinho (33), Marquez (16), Tribbet (4), Rosenberry (12)
Blake (1)
