ORLANDO, Fla. (June 21, 2023) – Orlando City SC (7-5-6, 27 points) played to a 2-2 draw on Wednesday night at Exploria Stadium against the Philadelphia Union (9-5-4, 31 points). The draw extends the Lions’ home unbeaten streak to five games in the City Beautiful.
Forward Duncan McGuire earned the start and found the back of the net first for the Lions. The goal counted as the Creighton product’s sixth goal of the season and his second in as many matches for the Lions. His six goals across all competitions now leads the team.
Martín Ojeda scored in the second half for City, counting as his fourth goal of the 2023 campaign across all competitions. Ojeda also earned an assist on the McGuire goal, increasing his season total to four as well.
Prior to Philadelphia’s equalizer, the Lions scored what looked to be an insurance goal to make it 3-1 late in the second half from the foot of Iván Angulo off a pass from Ercan Kara. The goal was then reviewed by VAR and disallowed due to a foul in the buildup to the goal.
Scoring Summary:
13’ Duncan McGuire (Martín Ojeda, Mauricio Pereyra) – ORL 1, PHI 0
The Lions took the early lead after a pass from captain Mauricio Pereyra found Martín Ojeda, who played a backheel pass for a sprinting Duncan McGuire. With the defender on his side, McGuire was able to get away and get a shot off, finding the back of the net.
54’ Martín Ojeda (Iván Angulo, César Araújo) – ORL 2, PHI 0
City doubled its advantage with César Araújo finding Iván Angulo up the middle of the pitch. Angulo took a touch before finding Martín Ojeda at the edge of the area, who created enough space for himself before firing off a left-footed shot inside the far post for the finish.
60’ Jack McGlynn (Leon Flach) – ORL 2, PHI 1
The visitors pulled one back when Jack McGlynn looked to play a cross into a crowded box. The ball then floated in and found its way through the crowd and over the goal line.
90’ José Martínez – PHI 2, ORL 2
The Union leveled after a cross was put into the box and headed away by an Orlando City defender. The ball bounced deep outside of the box to José Martínez who was able to swing his foot over the top of the ball and send a shot at the goal, hitting the post before going in.
Head Coach Oscar Pareja:
“The effort of the players today after what we had to go through this week has been phenomenal. It was obvious that during the game we were losing energy, but the boys had the personality to move, stay calm, and try to match a good team [Philadelphia Union] and even position the game the way we had it...It’s painful, but we keep going. We have a quick turnaround against Seattle. The boys need to recover and the boys that are coming from national team [duty] will join us too but, for the players, nothing but my respect for that effort tonight.”
Match Notes:
- Duncan McGuire scored his sixth goal of the campaign, now in sole possession of the team lead in what also served as his second finish in as many contests.
- Martín Ojeda netted his fourth goal of the year while also tallying his sixth assist of the campaign to extend his team lead on the McGuire finish.
- Mauricio Pereyra notched his 115th appearance for the Club, extending his franchise record for a midfielder. The Lions’ captain tallied the 40th assist of his career in all competitions with the secondary on the McGuire goal, extending his own Club-record.
- Iván Angulo recorded his second assist in as many contests with the helper on Ojeda’s finish.
- César Araújo registered his third assist of the year with the secondary on the Ojeda finish.
- Gastón González made his first appearance for the side since May 20 in Miami, having missed the last four matches due to injury.
- Kyle Smith tallied his 125th appearance in all competitions for the Club in what also served as his 80th start.
- Head Coach Oscar Pareja made three changes to his starting lineup from the weekend, with Smith, McGuire and Antonio Carlos all getting the nod.
