Philadelphia Union drops first preseason match 1-0 to Orlando City

A Philadelphia Union attack missing Sergio Santos and Cory Burke fell 1-0 to Orlando City to open their preseason slate on Monday in Clearwater, Florida.

Jack de Vries earned the start up top with Kacper Przybylko in the only surprise in head coach Jim Curtin’s first starting XI of 2021. The 18-year-old, who logged 12 minutes in his rookie season last year, nearly gave the Union a lead when he hit woodwork and was mentioned in a number of attacks on the live game blog.

Sergio Santos is out for a couple weeks with a torn ligament in his big toe. Cory Burke had a brace in an intrasquad match last week in Chester but was not mentioned in the live blog. Ilsinho was also not mentioned or included in either lineup that was posted.

Orlando City scored the lone goal of the match in the 61st minute. Alexander Alvarado was credited with the goal. Paxten Aaronson hit woodwork in a bid for an equalizer.

Union II forward Shaynder Borgelin and rookie Quinn Sullivan, known more as a box to box midfielder than a forward in his time in the academy, paired up top in the second half. Jack Elliott played the left center back spot with Jakob Glesnes in the first half and paired with Matej Oravec in the second half.

Aurelien Collin, who was spotted in a photo on the plane the team took to Florida last week, did not play. Goalkeeper Matt Freese is away on international duty. Stuart Findlay is expected to join the group in Florida, but the timeline on his arrival isn’t clear.

The Union are back at Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex to face Chicago Fire on Saturday at 3 p.m.

Lineups

First Half: Andre Blake, Olivier Mbaizo, Jakob Glesnes, Jack Elliott, Kai Wagner, Jose Martinez, Alejandro Bedoya, Jamiro Monteiro, Anthony Fontana, Kacper Przybylko, Jack de Vries

Second Half: Joe Bendik; Nathan Harriel, Matej Oravec, Jack Elliott, Matt Real; Brandan Craig, Cole Turner, Jack McGlynn, Paxten Aaronson; Quinn Sullivan and Union II’s Shanyder Borgelin