Orlando City Takes Top Spot After Draw With Philadelphia

Orlando and Philadelphia each finished with two wins and a draw in the group stage. A better goal differential gave Orlando City took the top spot in the knockout round.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Mauricio Pereyra’s goal midway through the second half gave Orlando City a 1-1 draw with the Philadelphia Union on Monday night and the top spot out of Group A in the MLS is Back tournament.

Orlando and Philadelphia each finished with two wins and a draw in the group stage. A better goal differential gave Orlando City took the top spot in the knockout round.

Orlando City (2-1-2) will play a third-place finisher from group play in the round of 16 on Saturday. Philadelphia (2-1-2) will play the second-place team out of Group C, also on Saturday.

Ilsinho put Philadelphia ahead a few minutes after coming on as a substitute. His third career goal against Orlando City came after a long stretch where Orlando dominated scoring chances. Ilsinho’s right-footed shot beat Pedro Gallese to the far post.

Orlando responded almost immediately. Portuguese winger Nani curled a cross into the penalty area and Pereyra’s run was timed perfectly for his header to beat Philadelphia goalkeeper Andre Blake’s diving attempt.

The first in purple for Mauricio 😈 #PHIvORL | #VamosOrlando pic.twitter.com/UBU0gi9Ix7

— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) July 21, 2020

It was the fourth straight meeting between the sides that finished in a draw.

Before Pereyra’s goal, Blake was the reason the Union were even in the match. Blake made six saves, including a stop from close range on Tesho Akindele in the first half. He denied Sebastian Mendez and Chris Mueller on the same play early in the second half.

29' | What a hit from Tesho 💥#PHIvORL | #VamosOrlando pic.twitter.com/0crY9vRWmO

— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) July 21, 2020

Blake’s best save came just before Philadelphia took the lead when he tipped a header from Antônio Carlos off the crossbar.