In a wild, end-to-end MLS affair that finished 4–3, the Philadelphia Union may not have claimed all three points, but they left Inter&Co stadium with something just as valuable in the long run: a renewed belief in their attacking identity. At his post-match press conference, Union head coach Bradley Carnell reflected on the rollercoaster evening with a mixture of pride and frustration, lauding his attackers for a “good performance."
The Union rallied from 3-1 down to level the score at 3-3, only to throw it all away when Orlando's Martín Ojeda struck in the 90th minute to seal the win for the Lions. It was a result that epitomized Philadelphia's turbulent 2026 MLS campaign, moments of genuine quality undermined by costly defensive lapses at the worst possible times.
Ojeda had opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 19th minute. Less than 10 minutes later, Griffin Dorsey doubled the advantage in the 27th minute to make it 2-0 at the break. The second half, however, told a completely different story, and it was one that gave Carnell genuine reason for optimism despite the result. Milan Iloski pulled one back for the visitors in the 54th minute, and the Union pressed for the equalizer with increasing urgency. That urgency, however, would momentarily backfire, as in the 72nd minute Duncan McGuire converted to restore the two-goal lead.
But Philadelphia refused to quit. Sullivan struck in the 75th minute to make it 3-2 to notch his first-ever MLS goal. Ben Bender then made it 3-3 in the 79th minute, assisted by substitute Stas Kornzeniowski. The comeback was complete, or so it seemed until Ojeda came with the final say. He scored Orlando's winner in the 90th minute to break Philadelphia’s heart and complete his brace for the night.
After falling into a two-goal hole against a dangerous Orlando SC side, Carnell acknowledged the team's slow start but credited the character shown after the break. Particularly, he noted that the transition moments and chances the side created were exactly what he had hoped for.
“We collect ourselves at halftime, and then, all of a sudden, we start showing the transition moments that we can get involved in and accumulate the type of chances that we thought that we could get here tonight,” he said.
Carnell spoke of the team digging deep in the second half, fighting to claw their way back to 3-3, even if the result ultimately slipped away, and was quick to praise his team's offensive firepower.
“I thought it was a good attacking performance, which, when you go a goal down or two, then you start risking a little bit more, and then you open up on the last line, and you know, transition moments against you’re going to get away sometimes. But we dig deep, get back to 3/3, and unfortunately, you know, just couldn’t shut out the game, but credit to guys for digging deep in that in that second-half and, yeah, again you know the guys are fighting.” - Union Head Coach, Bradley Carnell
Milan Iloski (left) and Cavan Sullivan (right) celebrate their connection for a goal against Orlando.
Image Provided / Philadelphia Union
With the defeat still fresh, Philadelphia will have little time to dwell on the result, as they return to Subaru Park on Saturday, May 17th, to host the Columbus Crew. Every game carries added significance given the Union's desperate need for points. Sitting at the bottom of the entire league with just six points from thirteen games, Carnell's side must find a way to translate the second-half promise shown in Orlando into a winning performance on home soil.
The World Cup break is fast approaching, and with time running short, every point between now and then could prove critical to Philadelphia's hopes of salvaging a season that has so far fallen well short of expectations.
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