Four questions with Ben Miller of the Mane Land

We’re back in Subaru Park this weekend, folks.

After earning one point against D.C. United, the Philadelphia Union return to action on Saturday to take on Orlando City SC. To find out more about the No. 14 team in the Eastern Conference, we reached out to our pal Ben Miller of the Mane Land.

Philadelphia Soccer Now: Orlando’s having an uncharacteristically poor season, what’s going wrong with the group?

Ben Miller: That’s an excellent question and not one that I have an easy answer for. The thing I’ll highlight most is the defending. On a week-to-week basis, we see one or more uncharacteristic mistakes at the back, and the problem is that the types of mistakes are so varied that it’s difficult to focus on one and fix it. Last year the Lions gave up 39 goals during the whole season, through 10 games in 2024 they’ve already conceded 18.

PSN: Orlando’s record home is nearly the same as it is away. Is there any difference between how they look at home vs. on the road?

BM: I haven’t seen a huge difference, no. On the whole, a large number of Orlando’s performances this season haven’t been woeful from start to finish, and there have been several occasions where they’ve looked the better team for vast stretches. But at home or away, the errors have been finding a way to crop up.

PSN: What, if anything, is going well for Orlando? What should Philadelphia be looking out for?

BM: The best thing I can say is that the team has consistently shown belief and willingness to fight. Even in last week’s match against FC Cincinnati where they conceded in the first minute and went down to 10 men in the 23rd minute, the Lions battled all game had carved out some good chances to equalize. This doesn’t look like a team that’s thrown in the towel, so I’d expect a game effort from them on the road.

PSN: Will Orlando be missing any notable players? What are your starting lineup and score predictions?

BM: Ramiro Enrique remains out with an ankle injury, Dagur Dan Thorhallson exited Saturday’s match with a heady injury, and Rafael Santos also left with what looked to be a dislocated shoulder, so the Lions will be down both starting fullbacks.

My guess at a lineup is: Pedro Gallese; Kyle Smith, Robin Jansson, David Brekalo, Mikey Halliday; Cesar Araujo, Wilder Cartagena, Ivan Angulo, Nico Lodeiro, Facundo Torres; Duncan McGuire.

For a score prediction, I’ll say a 1-1 draw.