On Monday night, the Philadelphia Union and Orlando City drew 1-1, the latter qualifying top of Group A. Here are three things we learned.
With both teams already through to the knockout stages, Monday night’s contest between the Philadelphia Union and Orlando City was simply to see who would secure the top spot in the group and who could mop up some more regular-season points before league play returns to its normal rhythm later this year.
In the end, a scrappy, bitty game was split evenly. Ilsinho opened the scoring midway through the second half with an arrow into the bottom corner, before Mauricio Pereyra, who was excellent, equalised moments later with a header. Andre Blake made several excellent saves throughout, while Orlando saw out the draw to secure their place as Group A victors.
Here are three things we learned from the 1-1 draw.
3. Union miss Jose Martinez
After the play was later reviewed by the MLS Disciplinary Committee, Jose Martinez was fined and suspended for one match due to violent misconduct in the Philadelphia Union’s victory over Inter Miami. He subsequently missed this match, and his absence in central midfield was felt.
Warren Creavalle started at the base of the midfield diamond in his stead. He struggled greatly, turning over possession on numerous occasions and failing to provide the same defensive security to protect the back four. This was especially pertinent when the Union tried to press Orlando City, with Mauricio Pereyra invariably finding space in and around Creavalle to move Orlando through the thirds and create chances — Pereayra ran off Creavalle to score the equaliser.
The Union lacked the same control that they usually exert in midfield. The press was not as effective, while they failed to build out of the back with the same efficiency. Jim Curtin later turned to centre-back Jack Elliott to fill the midfield position. Martinez may only have just arrived in Philadelphia, but his absence was noticed here.