Orlando City will visit Philadelphia Union on Saturday with Martin Ojeda one goal away from matching the club record for goals across all competitions. Ojeda scored his team-leading 12th MLS goal of the year and 46th goal across all competitions for Orlando City in the previous match. He also has contributed to three goals in his last four matches, with two goals and one assist.
The match also comes before an international window that will involve several Orlando City players. Justin Ellis recently received his first career call-up to the United States Men’s National Team, while David Brekalo, Wilder Cartagena, Marco Pasalic and Tyrese Spicer are scheduled for international duty. Orlando City also will try to build on its 4-3 victory over Philadelphia Union on May 13.
Martin Ojeda approaches two club milestones
Ojeda needs one goal to match Facundo Torres’ Orlando City record of 47 goals across all competitions. He is also three assists away from matching Mauricio Pereyra’s club record of 47 assists across all competitions.
Ojeda’s latest goal moved him to 46 across all competitions for Orlando City and 12 in MLS this year. His recent production gives Orlando City another attacking storyline as it prepares for the match in Philadelphia.
Justin Ellis earns first senior national team call-up
Justin Ellis received his first career call-up to the United States Men’s National Team and became the latest Orlando City Homegrown Player to receive a senior national team selection. The 19-year-old forward had recorded assists in five consecutive matches across all competitions before the streak ended the previous weekend.
Ellis still played a role in Orlando City’s attack in the previous match. He helped build the play that led to Ivan Angulo’s opening goal, keeping him involved despite the end of his assist streak.
Ivan Angulo carries three-match scoring run
Ivan Angulo scored in a third consecutive league match the previous weekend, raising his season total to four goals. The goal also lifted his Orlando City total to 16 across all competitions.
Angulo’s scoring run gives Orlando City another source of recent attacking production alongside Ojeda’s milestone pursuit. His latest goal also came from a sequence that included Ellis.
Several Orlando City players set for international duty
David Brekalo is scheduled to join Slovenia after the match in Philadelphia, while Wilder Cartagena is scheduled to represent Peru during the international window. Marco Pasalic was selected by Croatia, and Tyrese Spicer is scheduled to report to Trinidad & Tobago.
Ellis also is scheduled for United States Men’s National Team duty after receiving his first senior call-up. The United States and Peru are scheduled to meet in an international friendly in downtown Orlando on Sept. 26, creating a potential matchup between Ellis and Cartagena.
Orlando City looks to build on May victory
Orlando City defeated Philadelphia Union 4-3 on May 13 at Inter&Co Stadium. Orlando City scored four first-half goals in the victory, which ended Philadelphia’s unbeaten run against the club.
The result was Orlando City’s highest-scoring performance against Philadelphia Union since 2021. Orlando City will now face Philadelphia in the next meeting on Saturday in Philadelphia.
More milestones remain in view
Daryl Dike is one goal away from tying Chris Mueller, who has 22 goals, for ninth on Orlando City’s all-time scoring list. That opportunity adds another club milestone to monitor during the match.
Ojeda’s goal and assist pursuits remain the central individual storylines, while Angulo’s scoring run and Ellis’ national team call-up add further context. Orlando City also will try to follow its 4-3 result from the previous meeting.
FSB Take
Orlando City enters Saturday’s match with a clear combination of team and individual stakes. Ojeda can match Torres’ club goal record, Ellis is coming off his first senior national team call-up, and Angulo brings a three-match league scoring streak.
The May 13 meeting produced a 4-3 Orlando City victory and four first-half goals. With several players scheduled for international duty after the match, the Philadelphia contest will test Orlando City’s current attack while offering multiple opportunities for movement on the club’s milestone lists.
Source: Original report