After a mostly listless first half, things turned wild after the break as the Philadelphia Union and Orlando City battled to an exciting 2-2 draw Wednesday night at Camping World Stadium.
Philadelphia center back Ken Tribbett, who started the game on the bench, scored his first career goal to tie the contest in the 75th minute after Orlando struck for quick goals by Kevin Molino and Cyle Larin.
Molino’s 68th-minute goal came after Union goalkeeper Andre Blake collided with a slew of players in the box and left the net exposed. Blake looked like he may have stopped Larin’s 71st-minute tally but the ref said the ball crossed the goal line.
The Union opened the scoring in the 52nd minute on a one-timer from Tranquillo Barnetta, whose two goals this season have both come against Orlando.
Earlier in the contest, Blake stopped Káka on a first-half penalty kick after taking down Orlando’s Brazilian star in the box.
The game featured seven cards, including a straight red to Orlando City's David Mateos in second-half stoppage time.
The first-place Union are now unbeaten in their last six, while Orlando extended their home unbeaten streak to 13 dating back to last season.
Box Score
- 52 -- PHI -- Tranquillo Barnetta (Chris Pontius, Ken Tribbett)
- 68 -- ORL -- Kevin Molino
- 71 -- ORL -- Cyle Larin (Káka)
- 75 -- PHI -- Ken Tribbett
- Full box score
- Stats
- Watch highlights
Three Things
1. OFFENSE IN WEIRD PLACES
: The Union could have been in trouble when they lost center back
Joshua Yaro
to a shoulder injury late in the first half. But Tribbett, who had started the first five games of the season before an injury of his own, not only filled the defensive void but provided an unlikely offensive spark. The ex-USL player set up Philly’s first goal with a free kick that Pontius headed to a wide-open Barnetta. And he then opened his MLS account by pouncing on a loose ball in the box after a Barnetta cross. Not a bad night for someone who probably thought he’d stay on the bench all game.
2. COMEBACKS AND CONTROVERSIES: Orlando City’s home unbeaten streak looked to be in serious jeopardy when Barnetta put Philly ahead in the second half. But stirred on by their boisterous crowd, Orlando showed plenty of character to score two quick goals to come back -- as did the Union when they fought back for a tough road point. There were nearly several other goals in an up-and-down second half that also featured several calls -- and no-calls -- that seemed to upset both head coaches.
3. ANDRE THE GIANT: It came as great news for the Union when they worked out a deal with the Jamaican federation to have goalkeeper Andre Blake play both games this week before his Jamaica call-up for Copa America Centenario. And although he allowed two goals Wednesday, the rising star delivered another magical moment when he stoned Káka on a penalty kick. That should give Blake even more confidence as he prepares to face other big-name stars at Copa.
Next Up
- ORL: Sunday at New York City FC (4:30 pm ET, ESPN, MLS LIVE)
- PHI: Saturday at Colorado Rapids (9 pm ET, MLS LIVE)
