Preseason Blog | Philadelphia Union vs. Orlando City SC

Philadelphia Union opens its preseason schedule in sunny Clearwater, Florida with a closed-door scrimmage against Orlando City. Kick off from the Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex is set for 11 a.m. ET. With the match unable to be streamed, we'll be providing updates below on our live blog presented by Visit St. Pete/Clearwater. Updates will begin shortly before the start of the friendly and will be updated as quickly as we can.

12:50 p.m.- Final score from today's closed-door scrimmage: Orlando City SC 1, Philadelphia Union 0. Boys in Blue are back in preseason action on Saturday as they'll face Chicago Fire FC at 3 p.m. ET. 

12:49 p.m.- Final chance of the match for the Union begins with a corner kick from Paxten Aaronson. The ball drops to Cole Turner inside the box and the shot nearly finds the back of the net but somehow stays out. Scramble ensures but the referee blows the final whistle. 

12:47 p.m.- Free kick once more for the Union near the corner flag. McGlynn's service drops to the top of the 18, Harriel fires a shot and earns a Union corner. One more chance as we enter the 90th minute. 

12:43 p.m.- Union earn a corner kick but McGlynn's service is cleared by Orlando. During the scramble for possession, the Union are awarded a free kick just outside the 18. McGlynn tries for the equalizer but the wall does its job. 

12:40 p.m.- McGlynn gaining confidence as he generates another chance but this time the shot is wide right of the Orlando goal.

12:39 p.m.- McGlynn creates a chance and fires a right-footed shot from the top of the 18 that dips just inches over the bar.

12:37 p.m.- Orlando City SC earns a free kick outside the Union's 18-yard-box but the shot is off target.

12:34 p.m.- Harriel brings the attack up the right side of the pitch but is unable to connect with a teammate after a strong cross into the box.

12:31 p.m.- Orlando City races down on the other end of the pitch but fires a shot that goes wide of Bendik in goal.

12:29 p.m.- Union earn a free kick outside the box. McGlynn serves it into the box but the keeper comes off his line to punch it away.

12:28 p.m.- Homegrown to homegrown action as McGlynn flicks it wide to a streaking Real. The left back fires a shot just over the Orlando goal.

12:20 p.m.- Orlando City SC into the referee's book for the second time today as they are shown a yellow.

12:16 p.m.- Against the run of play, Orlando City scores to open the scoring to make it 1-0 in the 61st minute.

12:13 p.m.- Intensity ramping up in this one as the squads find their footing early in the first half. Union generate the first scoring chance via Paxten Aaronson but it crashes off the post.

12:05 p.m.- Second half whistle rings out and we're back at looking for a go-ahead goal.

12:02 p.m.- Second half about to start up. Head Coach Jim Curtin starting it out this way: 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.

11:50 a.m.- Referee blows the halftime whistle. At the break, it's scoreless between the Union and Orlando City SC despite some strong chances by the Boys in Blue.

11:49 a.m.- Bedoya rifles a shot on frame the Orlando City makes the save.

11:46 a.m.- Orlando City corner but Andre Blake claims it easily.

11:44 a.m.- Five minutes left in the opening half and a good-looking chance by Przybylko is negated by the offside flag.

11:41 a.m.- First booking of the contest shown to Orlando City SC. 

11:39 a.m.- de Vries nearly makes it 1-0 for the Boys in Blue but his shot from the top of the 18 rings off the post.

11:33 a.m.- Wagner and de Vries in sync early in this one as the create another chance that ends up with captain Alejandro Bedoya. Brujo fouled outside the Orlando City box and that gives Monteiro another free kick chance. 

11:31 a.m.- Orlando City trying to establish offense on the right side of the pitch but once more Mbaizo locks things down and regains possession for the Union. 

11:26 a.m.- Union showcasing the direct attack and pressing early on. Jakob Glesnes tries a quick pass forward but the Orlando defense grabs it. Counter press leads to a Union interception and lands with Jack de Vries. The homegrown gets off a shot and earns the Boys in Blue a corner kick. Initial corner is blocked but the Union retain possession and force a save by Orlando off a header by Jack Elliott.

11:23 a.m.- Dangerous free kick chance for the Union from roughly 30 yards out. Jamiro Monteiro connects with Jack Elliott inside the box but the header just misses high over the Orlando City crossbar.

11:21 a.m.- Union earn the first corner of the match after yet another run from Wagner. Wagner serves it in but Orlando City clears it away. 

11:18 a.m.- Union generate their first chance of the morning after a strong run from Kai Wagner. Jamiro Monteiro picks out Brujo but the midfielder's shot goes wide in the 15th minute of play.

11:15 a.m.- Orlando tries a run up the right flank but unable to generate a chance after some strong defense by Mbaizo.

11:07 a.m.- Both sides battling in the midfield trying to establish some possession in the first five minutes of the contest.

11:03 a.m.- Both starting XIs on the pitch. Referee blows the whistle and the Union's 2021 scrimmage slate is underway!

10:53 a.m.- Warmups just about done for the Boys in Blue as the get ready to kick off the preseason. Opening whistle coming up soon. 

10:50 a.m.- Check the Union's first Starting XI of 2021!

10:30 a.m. - Both teams have arrived for this morning's friendly. The match will feature two 45-minute halves like a typical league contest. Staring XI will be announced  before kick off.