After a pair of exciting road wins against Western Conference opponents, the Philadelphia Union return to Subaru Park this weekend to host Orlando City on the riverfront on Saturday, September 26th. To support the Boys in Blue in their push toward the playoffs, click here for tickets or tune in to watch at 7:30pm on Apple TV.
Unbeaten in 11
The Philadelphia Union are unbeaten in 11 matches after a 4-3 barnburner on the road at Kansas City. The Boys in Blue battled from behind to erase a 3-0 deficit, scoring four goals in the second half – three of which came in just four minutes time. The scoring flurry finished with a Kansas City own goal, securing Philadelphia a fifth straight win. With the three-point result, the team has tied the all-time club record for consecutive matches unbeaten, and should they avoid a loss to Orlando City this weekend, they’d add another feat to the Union’s history books with 12 straight.
As it stands
As it stands, the Philadelphia Union sit at sixth place in the East with 36 points, just one spot above this weekend’s visitor in 7th with 34 points. Orlando City has lost only three matches since adding superstar French forward Antoine Griezmann to the roster from Atletico Madrid. The incoming transfer was announced in March 2024, but the contract didn’t begin until July 2026.
Following the World Cup break, Griezmann’s impact was immediate – the 35-year-old Designated Player scored seven goals in five straight MLS matches before suffering an injury in the second half of his team’s US Open Cup Semifinal loss against Columbus Crew. He hasn’t played since, missing his team’s regular-season loss to New England Revolution on Saturday. It is unclear whether or not he’ll return to Orlando City’s lineup against the Union this weekend.Â
As for Philly, they now sit in sixth place in the Eastern Conference standings with 36 points.
Who’s in, who’s out
It’s no secret momentum has moved in Philly’s favor since Ryan Richter took over as the team’s interim Head Coach during the World Cup break, but this weekend’s match brings about a new hurdle. Richter has utilized the same starting XI in seven of the team’s last 11 matches, and five of his consistent starters have departed for National Team duty during the September/October FIFA Window. Four of the five starters away from the team, Cavan Sullivan, Frankie Westfield, Andre Blake, and Danley Jean Jacques have been in Richter’s starting XI in each of the team’s unbeaten matches. Neil Pierre started all but one, in which he came off the bench to score his first MLS goal. Richter’s group is otherwise healthy and available for selection.
As for Orlando City, five players have been called up to their respective national teams – Justin Ellis, Wilder Cartagena, David Brekalo, Tyrese Spicer, and Marco Pasalic will all miss this weekend’s match.
Players to watch
- 27-year-old Argentine midfielder Martin Ojeda leads the team with 12 goals scored and 2 assists in 2026. He’s scored in back-to-back matches, and scored twice in Philly’s 4-3 loss to Orlando in April.Â
- 27-year-old Colombian midfielder Iván Angulo has been in form since the MLS play resumed, adding four goals and two assists following the World Cup break.
