Richter hails 'outrageous' Union mentality as Philadelphia eye Orlando test with club-record run on the line
The Philadelphia Union are the team in form in MLS, and their 11-game unbeaten run faces a stern test against Orlando City SC this weekend — but interim boss Ryan Richter says their remarkable comeback against Sporting Kansas City was a warning sign against complacency.
Philadelphia's unbeaten streak, which now ties the club record, looked set to end at Sporting Park last weekend after Andre Luiz's brace and a goal from Wyatt Meyer blew the Union away inside the opening 16 minutes, leaving them three goals down on the road.
However, Philadelphia turned the game on its head in the space of four second-half minutes, with Bruno Damiani, Cavan Sullivan and Milan Iloski hauling their team level. The turnaround was completed thanks to a Zorhan Bassong own goal, moving the Union up to sixth in the Eastern Conference.
'The mentality of this group is outrageous'
While delighted with his players' mentality, Richter acknowledged that better sides will punish Philadelphia if they hand out such an advantage again.
"The mentality of this group is outrageous," Richter said. "It would have been easy for us to quit at half-time. We're on the road, long journey, down 3-0, guys going away with their national teams after the game.
"But the way the guys responded in the second half was fantastic. I am proud of them and congratulations to them for showing again the way they believe in each other right now and what is possible with this group.
"It's fun to be a part of, and it's fun to watch, but we have to keep going. We got a reminder that we're not perfect and when we're not at our best, any team can beat us."
Orlando arrive licking their wounds
Philadelphia welcome Orlando City SC to Subaru Park on Saturday, with just two points and one place separating the sides after Orlando fell to a 4-2 defeat against the New England Revolution last time out, ending their three-match winning run thanks to late goals from Peyton Miller and Carles Gil.
"Very frustrated, of course, with the result," said Lions boss Martin Perelman. "It was a big challenge for us because we came here after the game on Wednesday and were facing, of course, a team that is doing well in the league.
"We made some mistakes, especially in the first half. And then we were able to come back in the second half, compete, tie the game... We need to close these kinds of games. So, that's the frustration, but I also need to recognise the effort of the players. I have to do it because it was there."
Players to watch
Bruno Damiani (Philadelphia Union): With the in-form Cavan Sullivan away on international duty with the United States, the emphasis falls on Damiani to continue Philadelphia's run. Only Iloski (13) has scored more MLS goals for the Union than Damiani's eight, and the Uruguayan has five goals in his last three league appearances.
Martin Ojeda (Orlando City SC): Ojeda scored his team-leading 12th MLS goal of the season — and his 46th across all competitions this year — against New England. The Argentine has three goal contributions in his last four matches and is one goal short of tying Facundo Torres' club record of 47 goals across all competitions.
Match prediction: Philadelphia Union win
The Opta supercomputer makes the Union clear favourites, with a 65% win probability versus 18.6% for a draw and 16.4% for Orlando. Philadelphia have, however, failed to win their last three home league matches against the Lions (D1 L2) since a 5-1 victory in September 2022, while Orlando have managed just three away league wins all season.