Preview: Philadelphia Union vs. Orlando City - prediction, team news, lineups

Philadelphia Union could leapfrog Atlanta United into the playoff positions with a win against Orlando City on Sunday, which would also take Jim Curtin's side to within three points of this weekend's visitors, with a game in hand.

New England Revolution are seemingly running away with the Eastern Conference title, and third-placed Orlando are likely to now turn their focus to finishing the season strongly and securing a top-seven finish.

Match preview

© Reuters

Philadelphia are not in good form, and spirits within their squad will have dropped after disappointment in the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Champions League.

Curtin's side had to turn around a two-goal deficit in the second leg against Mexican outfit Club America, but that final game of the semi-final wrote the same story as the first leg, with the match ending 2-0 to Club America.

The home side did put pressure on Club America - and the visitors' goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa had to produce a man-of-the-match display to keep Union out - but it was not enough for Philadelphia to make it to the final in their first-ever appearance in that competition.

Philadelphia did not enter that second-leg tie in good form, having lost their previous two domestic fixtures, with their last league defeat coming against table-toppers New England.

Matt Polster had given New England a 1-0 lead and Arnor Ingvi Traustason was sent off in the second half, but Union could not take advantage of their extra player and the league leaders held on for all three points.

Curtin's team need to get back to winning ways in the Eastern Conference if they want to break into the top seven, and perhaps without the distraction of the Champions League, that will allow Philadelphia to finish the domestic season strongly.

© Reuters

Orlando also enter this game after two disappointing results, losing to Atlanta United and most recently falling to Montreal, in what was their first defeat at home in the league since July 4.

Robin Jansson and Ruan did well to level the scoreline at 2-2 after Nani had been shown two yellow cards in the first half, but Montreal regained their two-goal advantage before Andres Perea was the second Orlando player to be given his marching orders by the referee.

That result means that Oscar Pareja's side have conceded seven goals in their last two games, but they will be keen to keep a clean sheet at Subaru Park on Sunday, as Philadelphia have failed to score more than one goal in a single game in their last seven matches.

Orlando did get the better of Curtin's side the last time these two teams met, thanks to goals from Benji Michel and Perea, but Philadelphia's home form is better than their away record.

Team News

© Reuters

Philadelphia midfielder Ilsinho will be absent from the matchday squad on Sunday after picking up an injury at the end of August, which will rule him out until at least the end of this month.

Curtin made six changes to the side which started in the Champions League on Thursday, suggesting that the manager rested players in their last MLS match against New England, therefore he is expected to make similar changes from the team which last lined up in the league.

Centre-back Jack Elliott was not involved in Union's last league game after picking up his sixth yellow card of the season, but he is likely to come back into the starting 11 alongside Jakob Glesnes in defence.

Nani and Perea will both serve their suspensions on Sunday after being sent off against Montreal, meaning that Junior Urso could drop into a deeper midfield role with Chris Mueller and Michel coming into the team.

Alexandre Pato and Jhegson Mendez are unavailable for selection this weekend due to injury, but the pair do only have 10 appearances between them this season.

Philadelphia Union possible starting lineup:
Blake; Wagner, Elliott, Glesnes, Mbaizo; Flach, Martinez, Bedoya; Gazdag; Monteiro, Przybylko

Orlando City possible starting lineup:
Gallese; Mas, Jansson, Carlos, Ruan; Urso; Mueller, Pereira, Michel, Van der Water; Dike

We say: Philadelphia Union 1-1 Orlando City

Both sides will want to end their losing streak, meaning that the game could be quite cagey as neither team will want to leave themselves vulnerable defensively.

A point a piece would not be the worst result for either team, as it will keep Philadelphia in touch of the top seven, and it will mean Orlando are a point closer to securing a playoff position.