Union Extends Unbeaten Streak With 2-2 Draw Against Orlando

Report From Philadelphia Union

ORLANDO, FL. – Philadelphia Union battled to a 2-2 draw with Orlando City SC Wednesday night at Camping World Stadium in front of 24,109 Fans. With the result, the Union extended their lead at the top of the table in the Eastern Conference and extended their unbeaten streak to six games. Ken Tribbett, who entered as a sub in the 45th minute, scored his first-career MLS goal and also registered his first-ever assist.

Both teams spent the first 20 minutes of action waiting for the other side to make a mistake. That mistake came in the 36th minute as Orlando was awarded a penalty kick after Andre Blake grazed the foot of Kaka on a 1v1 attempt, forcing the foul. Blake redeemed himself, stopping the penalty by diving to his right to game the match 0-0.

Philadelphia finally broke through in the 52nd minute when Tranquillo Barnetta found open space in the box and buried it. The goal was set up by a beautiful pass from Chris Pontius, who headed over a pass from a re-start from Tribbett. For Barnetta, it was his second goal of the season – both coming against Orlando City SC.

The fireworks picked up soon, though. C.J. Sapong fought off Tommy Redding inside the box before blasting a shot that Joe Bendik saved in the 57th minute. Five minutes later, Warren Creavalle was denied a penalty after being taken out with a two-footed slide tackle inside the box.

Orlando promptly responded. Kevin Molino scored on an open net after Blake collided with Cyle Larin and two Union defenders in the 68th minute. Three minutes later, Larin scored on a ball that was ruled to have crossed the goal line, although replays were inconclusive.

Just four minute later, the Union immediately responded with Tribbett scoring his first MLS goal by poking home a loose ball inside the Orlando box. The Union dominated play for the final 15 minutes but were unable to find the winner. The best chance came in stoppage time after David Mateos was red carded on the edge of the box. Barnetta took the free kick, but just sent it over the bar.

The Union will return to action on Saturday, May 28, continuing their road trip against Colorado Rapids at 9 p.m. The game will be televised on The Comcast Network.

MATCH RECAP
Philadelphia Union 2, Orlando City SC 2
Camping World Stadium
Orlando, Fla.

FINAL MATCH STATS
Shots: 9-9
Shots on Target: 5-4 Union
Possession: 56-44 Orlando
Passing Accuracy: 74-70 Orlando
Fouls: 17-12 Orlando
Corners: 8-6 Orlando
Duels won: 69-46 Union
Tackles won: 19-9 Union

POST MATCH AUDIO
Head coach Jim Curtin
Midfielder Tranquillo Barnetta
Defender Ken Tribbett

SCORING SUMMARY
PHI – Tranquillo Barnetta (Chris Pontius, Ken Tribbett) 52’ HIGHLIGHT
ORL – Kevin Molino 68’ HIGHLIGHT
ORL – Cyle Larin (Kaka) 71’ HIGHLIGHT
PHI – Ken Tribbett 75’ HIGHLIGHT

DISCIPLINE SUMMARY
ORL – Kaka (yellow) 32’
PHI – Sebastien Le Toux (yellow) 48’
ORL – Carlos Rivas (yellow) 64’
PHI – Tranquillo Barnetta (yellow) 72’
ORL – Servando Carrasco (yellow) 76’
ORL – Cristian Higuita (yellow) 89’
ORL – David Mateos (red) 90+3’

PHILADELPHIA UNION STARTING XI
Andre Blake; Fabinho, Richie Marquez, Josh Yaro (Ken Tribbett 45+), Keegan Rosenberry; Brian Carroll ©, Warren Creavalle; Chris Pontius (Fabian Herbers 70’), Tranquillo Barnetta, Sebastien Le Toux (Leo Fernandes 90+3’); C.J. Sapong.

Substitutes not used: Matt Jones, Roland Alberg, Walter Restrepo, Ray Gaddis.

ORLANDO CITY SC STARTING XI
Joseph Bendik; Kevin Alston, David Mateos, Tommy Redding, Brek Shea; Adrian Winter (Kevin Molino 67’), Servando Carrasco, Cristian Higuita, Carlos Rivas (Julio Baptista 67’); Cyle Larin (Hadji Barry 84’), Kaka ©.

Substitutes not used: Ear Edwards Jr, Luke Boden, Harrison Heath, Antonio Nocerino,

OFFICIALS
Sorin Stoica (referee), Chris Strickland (assistant), Logan Brown (assistant), Ted Unkel (fourth).

ATTENDANCE
24,109

TEAM NOTES
The Union are now 2-0-2 all-time against Orlando City SC and 0-0-2 at Camping World Stadium.
Andre Blake’s penalty stop was the first of his career and the seventh in Philadelphia Union history. Zac MacMath (4), Chris Seitz (1) and Brian Sylvestre (1) had the others.
Against Orlando, Blake remains undefeated in three career games. He had allowed just one goal in the previous two occasions.
Tranquillo Barnetta scored his third career Union goal. It is his second goal of the season and the second goal against Orlando City. Barnetta scored a game-winner against the Lions earlier this year on an unforgettable free kick.
Chris Pontius added an assist, his 20th in his career. Pontius’ career season-high for assists is five, set back 2011. He now has three this season.
Despite not starting, Ken Tribbett registered his first-ever goal and his first-ever assist. Tribbett came on as a substitute in the 45th minute for an injured Josh Yaro.
It was Yaro’s seventh consectuve start at the right center back position. He originally got his first start when Tribbett went down with an ankle injury.
Fabian Herbers made his 11th career appearance as a substitute. He registered his third shot on goal.
The draw extended Orlando City’s home unbeaten streak to 13 consecutive games, dating back to July 25, 2015.