Philadelphia Union contains Orlando City, 4-2

September 26, 2026

Chester, PA

If there were any lingering doubts about the Philadelphia Union’s post-World Cup performance or the team’s chances to make the MLS playoffs, they should be quelled after Saturday’s performance against Orlando City S.C.  Despite losing five starters to international call-ups (Andre Blake, Danley Jean Jacques, Neil Pierre, Cavan Sullivan, Frankie Westfield), the Union managed to claim victory over Orlando with a score of 4-2.  At one point in the season, Philadelphia was at the bottom of the MLS East Table.  Today, after a Milan Iloski hat trick and a goal and two assists from Indiana Vasilev, the team stands in 6th place behind the Chicago Fire.

The scoring started out early in the game, when Orlando’s Eduard Atuesta committed a foul in Orlando’s penalty area.  At the 11th minute, Milan Iloski successfully converted the penalty kick on the first leg of his hat trick.

Shortly thereafter, Iloski scored a second time, at the 19th minute, when Vasilev broke downfield with a lovely through pass gathered up by Ilsoki and shot past Orlando’s keeper, Maxime Crépeau.  The first half ended in Philadelphia’s favor 2-0.

Philadelphia’s scoring continued early in the second half. In the 47th minute, the Union’s Indiana Vassilev scored off of an assist by Jesús Bueno.  Iloski’s third goal came soon after in the 51st minute, with the assist nod going to Vassilev.

As the closing minutes of the game approached, Orlando did score twice.  The first occurred in the 78th minute when Orlando’s Iván Angulo shot to the right of Philadelphia’s goal on a set piece play.  The second Orlando goal occurred in the 90th minute when Orlando’s Martín Ojedashot from the left with an assist by Harvey Sarajian.  Orlando’s goals, however, were too little and too late and Philadelphia persevered for the win.

Photographs of the game appear below:

 

The first goal of the Iloski hat trick was a PK that fooled Crépeau.   Philadelphia’s stalwart defender, Kai Wagner. Orlando’s Eduard Atuesta and Bruno Damiani go up for the header. Orlando’s Antoine Griezmann’s attack is impeded by Philadelphia’s Jovan LukicPhiladelphia’s Quinn Sullivan picks the pocket of Iago Teodoro.