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Orlando City vs. Philadelphia Union: Final Score 2-1 as Lions Suffer First Loss of 2016

Adrian Winter equalized just before halftime, but Orlando City was done in by a sensational free kick from Tranquillo Barnetta in the 89th minute, as the Lions suffered a 2-1 loss to the Philadelphia Union.

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Austin Warren, The Mane Land

On a bitterly cold Friday evening in Chester, PA, Orlando City’s defense played with fire all night.

And in the 90th minute, they finally got burned.

Tranquillo Barnetta nailed a free kick from just outside the box as the Philadelphia Union (3-2-0, 9 points) handed Orlando City (2-1-2, 8 points) its first loss of the 2016 season, a 2-1 defeat that’s going to sting for a while. Barnetta’s heroics erased a mixed performance from the Lions and turned an impressive goal from Adrian Winter into merely a talking point.

It didn’t take long for disaster to strike in Philly, as Rafael Ramos horribly misplayed a Union cross right to the the feet of C.J. Sapong inside the first two minutes. The 27-year-old might not score an easier goal in his career, as his flick past Joe Bendik put the home team up 1-0 in the second minute.

Philadelphia controlled possession in the early going, as the Orlando City midfield looked out of sorts with Cristian Higuita missing the start with a groin injury and Kaká forced to play higher up the pitch in place of the injured Cyle Larin. The Lions did manage a few probing runs forward, and in the 13th minute, Kaká ripped a shot from the same position he scored against Portland, only for it to trickle just wide of the post.

As the first half wore on, Orlando began to inch closer to an equalizer and earned a handful of corners that kept Union goalkeeper Andre Blake honest. But nothing materialized for the Lions in the final third, as their midfield continued to be victimized by the Philadelphia attack.

In one problematic sequence, MLS veteran Chris Pontius won the ball from Darwin Cerén and Servando Carrasco, managing to hold up play long enough for his teammates to get forward. Even as Orlando looked increasingly dangerous on the counter, it felt like everything else was one play away from falling apart.

Kevin Molino was a bright spot in the first 45 minutes, as he managed to find space in the Union defense and provide plenty of attacking support. And it was Molino who finally helped jumpstart the Orlando City attack just before halftime.

After Antonio Nocerino swiped a back pass in the Union midfield, Molino played a perfect pass to Winter just outside the box. Winter did the rest, shaking his defender and beating Blake to the far post to give Orlando City its first-ever goal against Philadelphia.

More importantly, it tied the match at 1-1 as both teams headed to the locker room.

The Lions picked right up where they left off in the second half, as Kaká found a wide open Winter in the Union box, but his booming shot was tipped over the crossbar by Blake. Winter nearly returned the favor a few minutes later, playing Kaká in, only for the captain’s shot to find the seats.

Orlando City got the better of the chances early in the second half, but the teams played just about evenly down the stretch, although the Union got a boost from the introduction of Barnetta and Fabian Herbers in the 63rd minute. After a few minutes to get into the game, the duo helped flip the field in Philly’s favor and were especially troublesome in the final five minutes of regulation.

The club’s patchwork back line — with Aurélien Collin subbing for the injured Tommy Redding and Luke Boden in for the suspended Brek Shea — continued to flirt with disaster, as a Union corner in the 66th minute was misplayed by Collin and knocked around a bit before Ramos was finally able to clear. A free kick skipped just in front of goal minutes later, deflecting off the head of Bendik and giving Orlando another break.

But just a minute before stoppage time, Orlando’s defensive struggles cost them the match.

Philly earned a free kick from just outside the box, and Barnetta nailed a perfect, swerving free kick that banked off the cross bar and into the Orlando City net. There was nothing Bendik could do.

A blast from Winter minutes later in stoppage time nearly bailed out the Lions, but Blake was up to it with a diving save, and kept Philadelphia ahead. That was Orlando’s final opportunity in a 2-1 defeat to the Union.

Soccer is a cruel sport.


Orlando City is back in action next Sunday, as they welcome the New England Revolution to the Citrus Bowl for a 3:30 p.m. match that will be televised nationally on ESPN.

Orlando City

Orlando City Unveils New Perfect Storm Kit Ahead of 2025 MLS Season

The Lions’ new kits are meant to represent the uniqueness and intensity of the Central Florida weather.

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Orlando City unveiled the club’s new home “Perfect Storm” kit today. The new home purple kit is meant to evoke the intensity of the Central Florida weather, and features a lightning bolt (called a “thunderbolt” by the club) made out of the Orlando area code, 407, on the back of the neck and a jocktag with a doppler radar storm icon. Per the club, no two kits will have the exact same pattern.

The Perfect Storm kit will be available on MLSStore.com and on OCMobileShop.com, with pick-up at The Den at Inter&Co Stadium starting Thursday during regular business hours.

“This kit is a tribute to our fans who have supported us day in and day out, through everything, rain or shine,” said Orlando City Chief Marketing Officer Pedro Araujo in a club press release. “It is also inspired by our players’ ability to thrive in adverse weather conditions, and a reminder that Inter&Co Stadium is one of the toughest environments in Major League Soccer for visiting teams to compete in.”

The Perfect Storm Kit will be first available to fans at the club’s official jersey launch tonight at 6 p.m. at Canvas (1401 Florida Mall Ave.). Fans can purchase the new shirt and have it customized. The first 200 fans in attendance to purchase the new kit will receive an exclusive CITYiD patch

The Lions will first wear the new kit at their home opener against the Philadelphia Union on Saturday, Feb. 22.

Here are some shots of the new kit:

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 2/12/25

Leagues Cup Schedule released, Sams and Moorhouse called up, Champions League results, and more.

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride

Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers! It’s new home kit reveal day, so get ready to potentially spend some money. I may end up getting one regardless of how it looks. I’ve lost some weight, and while that is good, none of my jerseys fit anymore. I hope it’s a good one.

We want to wish a very happy birthday to Orlando City B midfielder Jhon Solis. Additionally, I want to wish my son Chris a very happy birthday. Now, let’s get to the links.

Orlando City’s Leagues Cup Fixtures Revealed

The official Leagues Cup 2025 Phase One schedule dropped Tuesday, meaning we now know Orlando City’s first three matches of the competition. All three matches will be played at Inter&Co Stadium against Liga MX squads. The Lions will face Pumas UNAM in the first match on July 30, followed by Atlas FC on Aug. 2, and then Necaxa on Aug. 6. Phase One of the competition is effectively a group stage. If Orlando City can advance out of Phase One, the Lions will head to the knockout rounds.

Pride International Call Ups

The Orlando Pride’s Emily Sams and Anna Moorhouse received call-ups for the USWNT and the England Women’s National Team, respectively. USWNT Coach Emma Hayes included Sams on her 23-player roster for the 2025 SheBelieves Cup later this month. The U.S. will play matches against Japan, Australia, and Colombia.

Moorhouse was selected by Lioness coach Sarina Wiegman for the UEFA Women’s Nations League. England’s first two matches are against Portugal on Feb. 21 and against Spain on Feb. 26. After that, the competition continues in April.

MLS Transfer Round Up

With Orlando City finally signing some new players, other MLS clubs continue to make moves in the off-season. Former Orlando City midfielder Junior Urso signed with the Houston Dynamo through 2025 with an option for 2026. Houston is the Bear’s third MLS club.

French second-division side Amiens SC is in a selling mood. The club sent defender Osaze Urhoghide to FC Dallas. Minnesota United FC signed midfielder Owen Gene from Amiens SC to an MLS U22 Initiative contract.

Elsewhere, the Philadelphia Union signed Homegrown forward Eddy Davis III, and D.C. United signed midfielder Brandon Servania. Out west, the San Jose Earthquakes have signed goalkeeper Daniel to a contract extension, and Nashville SC signed midfielder Matthew Corcoran from USL Championship side Birmingham Legion FC.

Champions League Results

UEFA Champions League continued Tuesday, with Paris Saint-Germain getting things going with a 3-0 win over Brest. Ousmane Dembélé scored a brace in the match to cement the victory. Borussia Dortmund also managed a 3-0 victory over Sporting Lisbon. All three goals came in the second half, including Serhou Guirassy’s 10th in the competition to equal Erling Haaland and Robert Lewandowski.

Real Madrid scored two goals to come from behind and defeat Manchester City 3-2. Jude Bellingham scored the winning goal in second-half stoppage time. Weston McKennie got things going for Juventus in its 2-1 victory over PSV Eindhoven. Samuel Mbangula scored the winning goal.

Free Kicks


That will do it for today. Check back later today for our coverage of the new kit. Vamos Orlando!

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 2/11/25

Orlando City signs Eduard Atuesta, MLS news roundup, Americans in midweek action, and more.

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Happy Tuesday, gang! It was a long weekend for me but an interesting one, as I attended an event at St. Louis City’s Energizer Stadium on Saturday night. It was a fun time, but personally I prefer Orlando City’s home digs. We have plenty of things to discuss this morning, so let’s get into the links.

Orlando City Signs Eduard Atuesta

Orlando City has found its replacement for the injured Wilder Cartagena, as the club announced the signing of Colombian midfielder Eduard Atuesta from Palmeiras on Monday. Atuesta’s deal runs through the end of the 2025 season and also contains a club option for 2026. While the Lions still have some depth issues that need to be addressed at various positions, Atuesta will pair alongside Cesar Araujo in midfield, and if his previous numbers in Major League Soccer are any indication, he may even provide more goal scoring and creation from the position than Cartagena usually did.

MLS News Roundup

With the start of the MLS season under two weeks away, the off-season news is still flying thick and fast. First up, the Colorado Rapids have signed midfielder Ted Ku-DiPietro from D.C. United in exchange for up to $1.4 million in cash, with United also maintaining a sell-on percentage in the player. The trade was executed using the league’s cash-based trade system, with Colorado becoming the latest team to make use of the new mechanism. Up next, San Diego FC has signed defender Willy Kumado from Lyngby Boldklub in the Danish Superliga. The right back joins on a two-year deal that also contains option years for 2027 and 2028. Finally, Tom Bogert is reporting that Joseph Paintsil is expected to be out of action for over a month after sustaining an injury to his quadriceps.

Americans in Midweek Action

As always, there are a number of Americans taking part in games during the working week, and there’s a heavy emphasis on UEFA Champions League play. Things get started later today, as Tim Weah, Weston McKennie, and Juventus face a PSV Eindhoven side that has all four of Ricardo Pepi, Richy Ledezma, Sergino Dest, and Malik Tillman injured. Meanwhile, Gio Reyna, Cole Campbell, and Borussia Dortmund will travel to face Sporting CP. Wednesday has Christian Pulisic and Yunus Musah traveling with AC Milan to take on Feyenoord, while Cameron Carter-Vickers, Auston Trusty, and Celtic will be sorely tested at home against Bayern Munich. Thursday will wrap up European play with Johnny Cardoso and Real Betis squaring off against Gent in the Conference League.

Josh Sargent’s Opportunity

Josh Sargent had a difficult end to 2024, as he spent several months on the sideline while recovering from a groin injury that eventually required surgery. There were some natural moments of wondering what he’d be like when he made his return, but he’s hit the ground running since his first game back on Jan. 25, as he has four goals in three games for Norwich City. Not only is he getting his chance at the club level, but with Pepi and Folarin Balogun both currently injured, Sargent looks almost certain to lead the line for the United States Men’s National Team for March’s Concacaf Nations League semifinal matches. Sometimes timing is everything, and right now Sargent’s timing is pretty damn good.

Free Kicks


That does it for me this morning. Vamos Orlando!

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