Orlando City (1-1-2) at Philadelphia Union (2-2-0)
When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Subaru Park, Philadelphia
TV: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV (free game of the week, no subscription required)
Radio: Real Radio 104.1 FM (English), Acción 97.9 FM (Spanish)
Here are five storylines to watch on Saturday night when Orlando City faces the Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park:
Over international waters
The Lions will be without a handful of players in Philadelphia this weekend, as several members of the side are away on international duty. Goalkeeper Pedro Gallese and midfielder Wilder Cartagena have joined the Peruvian National Team for friendlies against Germany and Morocco. In addition, forward Facundo Torres and Uruguay are slated to take on Japan and South Korea in this window.
For the Stars and Stripes, defenders Mikey Halliday and Thomas Williams have joined the U-20 National Team in Spain for friendlies against France, England and Serbia’s U-21 sides. At the U-19 level, defender Alex Freeman and midfielder Favian Loyola are set to spend the week in Buenos Aires, facing off against Argentina and Racing Club de Avellaneda.
One for Ojeda
Designated Player Martín Ojeda found the back of the net for the first time this past Saturday since joining the Lions in the offseason. Ojeda, 24, was acquired by Orlando City from Godoy Cruz of Argentina’s Primera División, signing a three-year contract with the Club. Throughout his professional career, Ojeda has appeared in 139 professional matches, scoring 35 goals and providing 23 assists across all competitions.
Two for one
Saturday’s match between the Lions and Union won’t be the only fixture between the two clubs over the weekend. Following Saturday’s contest, Sunday afternoon will see Orlando City B and Philadelphia Union II square off at Subaru Park in an afternoon matchup at 3 p.m. ET to kick off their respective MLS NEXT Pro seasons.
This past offseason
Orlando City and Philadelphia Union engaged in a trade this past offseason, with the latter sending $750,000 in General Allocation Money to the Lions in exchange for midfielder Andrés Perea. Perea, 22, appeared 86 times for the Lions through three seasons, scoring four goals and adding three assists in all competitions, with three of his four finishes throughout his time in Orlando coming against the Union.
More from McGuire
City forward Duncan McGuire made his second-consecutive start up top for the Lions over the weekend, contributing to City’s scoring efforts for the second-straight week. After netting his first professional goal in the nation’s capital on March 11, McGuire earned the assist on Ojeda’s second-half finish this past Saturday after the Creighton-product's initial shot was blocked. McGuire was selected at No. 6 overall by the Lions at the 2023 MLS SuperDraft.
