Despite scoring the match’s opening goal, the Union fell to 500. against Orlando City in 115 minutes on Saturday thanks to Luis Muriel’s two goals and some breakdowns defensively. Additionally, Philly has now fallen 7-6-6 against Orlando all time and lost three consecutive matches at home. Let’s wrap on all the sights and sounds of the match:
“Making Our Own Luck”
This match for the Union was winnable. In fact, many of the losses the boys in blue have suffered have been this season. In fact, it’s become a habit for the Union this season. The club has chased plenty of matches, exerting valuable energy in the process.
“Some uncharacteristic goals have gone against us, but we have stick together as a group,” Curtin said. “It’s not for a lack of chance creation or even goals scored, but it’s inexcusable concede three at home. We should never do that.”
Philly registered a 4.5 expected goals to Orlando’s 1.4 for the match so perhaps that assessment of the coach is spot on. However, plays like the one shown below should never happen as soon as the second half resumes. It’s happened way too often this year.
Harriel Dazzles With Slick Assist on Uhre’s Goal
Mikael Uhre got the scoring started for Philadelphia in the 11th minute. The play creation, however, came from excellent passes from Nathan Harriel and Jack McGlynn. Harriel’s play in general was strong across the pitch in this one. In addition to the assist, the 23 year-old also drew a penalty kick late in the second half. He played a lively game, certainly one his coach took notice of.
“He’s getting better and better,” Curtin said of Harriel. “He’s a good young player. You can go through the names, there’s a lot guys having good individual seasons, but we need a team performance to get a win.”
The assist was Harriel’s second of the campaign, while Uhre’s tally was his fourth of the season.
Do a Little Dance
In one of the more unintentional funny moments of the season, came when Damien Lowe was shown a yellow card on some contact with Orlando’s Luis Muriel in the second half. Lowe and Muriel had plenty of individual battles in this match, including on a partial breakaway for Muriel where Lowe knocked the ball away on a slide tackle. Muriel sold some contact and Lowe was assessed a Red Card, but after a VAR review, it was determined that Lowe had made contact with the ball first. It was clear, however, that the Union defender had enough of the antics when he taunted Muriel for diving.
“He’s a clown,” Lowe said of Muriel. “He faked it, I didn’t even hit him. It is what it is, they gave me the yellow and I continued to play after that.”
Thanks to Jose Nunez for creating the gif to encapsulate the moment.
They Said It
Mikeal Uhre on the Union’s Slump: “The only way we can out of it, is by doing the work on the practice field. There’s no reason for us to go out as individuals and make individual plays.”
Damien Lowe on Responding to Adversity: “We’re professionals. We’ve had good runs here and have created that dominating culture at home. We just have to go back to basics and continue to make this our home and fortress. When teams come here they have to be afraid again.”
Jim Curtin on the Union’s defensive breakdowns: “The way we concede right now, everything that goes on the goal, goes in the net. We have to find a way to change it.”
On Deck
The Union return to action on Wednesday, when they play host to New York City FC at Subaru Park. The match will begin at 7:30.
