ORLANDO, Fla. (July 22, 2022) - Orlando City SC (8-7-6, 30 points) returns to MLS action on Saturday, July 23, set to host the current Eastern Conference leaders Philadelphia Union (10-2-9, 39 points) at Exploria Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.
Tickets for Saturday’s match are available here or by calling (855) ORL-CITY. The matchup will be locally televised on FOX35 PLUS and LionNation TV, with coverage set to begin at 7 p.m. ET, and transmitted on 96.9 The Game in English and Acción 97.9 in Spanish.
Saturday will serve as the first meeting between the Lions and Union in league play in 2022, with the two sides having met earlier in the year in the Round of 32 of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on May 10. Ercan Kara and Andrés Perea each scored for the Lions to help punch their ticket to the Round of 16, with City since having taken a pair of penalty-kick shootout victories to earn a spot in the Semifinals on Wednesday, July 27 against the New York Red Bulls.
The Lions come into the weekend after hosting English Premier League side Arsenal FC at the midweek as part of the FC Series. Following a brief rain delay, City ultimately fell 3-1 to the Gunners, with Facundo Torres scoring in the affair.
Ercan Kara leads the Lions with eight goals in all competitions in 2022, seven of which have come in league play, followed by Torres with five. Mauricio Pereyra leads the side in assists with 10 in 2022, tied with Torres for the team lead in goal contributions at 11 apiece.
The Union come into Saturday’s match after taking a come-from-behind victory over the New England Revolution in their last outing. Gustavo Bou opened the scoring in the 61st minute for the visitors, but goals from Mikael Uhre in the 75th and Dániel Gazdag from the spot in the 79th secured the victory for Philadelphia.
Gazdag leads the Union with nine goals this campaign, followed by Julián Carranza with seven. Kai Wagner leads the side in assists with 10 to his credit.
Following Saturday’s match, the Lions return to Exploria Stadium on Wednesday, July 27, hosting the New York Red Bulls with a spot in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final on the line. Tickets are available here or by calling (855) ORL-CITY for the 7:30 p.m. kickoff.
