ORLANDO — The Philadelphia Union kicked off their 2025 MLS season with a compelling 4-2 victory over Orlando City at Exploria Stadium on February 22, 2025. After falling behind early, the Union displayed resilience and teamwork, securing their first win of the season and giving new head coach Bradley Carnell the perfect start to his tenure.
It was Marco Pašalić who struck first for Orlando, netting the fastest goal ever scored by a newcomer for the Lions just eight minutes after kickoff. After combining well with Eduard Atuesta, Pašalić drove the ball low past Union goalkeeper Andre Blake, putting the crowd behind him and his team.
Faced with the early deficit, the Boys in Blue regrouped and leveled the score at 23 minutes. Tai Baribo, who had been waiting for his moment, tapped home following some excellent build-up play—first, Quinn Sullivan’s pressure on the Orlando defense forced a turnover, then Kai Wagner provided the necessary assist with his low cross.
From there, the match continued to swing back and forth. The Union's Andre Blake made several key saves, including one to deny Pašalić’s long-range effort in the 36th minute, keeping the Union’s hope alive. The first half concluded with the score tied at 1-1, setting the stage for what would become a thrilling second half.
Coming out of the break, the Union showed their attacking prowess. Just three minutes after halftime, Dániel Gazdag redirected Quinn Sullivan’s arcing cross to put the Union firmly in the lead at 2-1. Gazdag’s skillful touch from a tight angle left goalkeeper Pedro Gallese no chance.
The momentum shifted even more decisively six minutes later. Mikael Uhre scored from outside the box following indecision by Orlando’s defense, capitalizing on their slip-up and extending the lead to 3-1. The Danish forward’s instinct to shoot caught the Orlando backline off-guard, adding another goal to the Union’s tally just as they seemed to gain complete control of the match.
Baribo, who shone brightly throughout the game, added the Union's fourth goal at 64 minutes. His combination with Frankie Westfield demonstrated the synergy the new additions brought to the squad. Westfield, having made his MLS debut, delivered the assist, allowing Baribo to fire from close range, sealing his brace for the night.
Despite being down 4-1, Orlando City rallied late as Pašalić tapped home his second goal of the night at 79 minutes, following chaotic sequences inside the box. But it was too little, too late, as the Union held off any last-minute attempts to score and walked off the pitch with their heads high.
The Union's solid start under Carnell not only showcased their attacking depth but also their potential for growth as the season progresses. While they initially navigated through some nervy patches after giving up the early goal, their collective response was commendable.
Carnell's game plan seems to be integrating new strategies with effective player rotations, and he will be eager to build upon this positive result. For Union fans, this match offered reassurance after previous seasons tainted with inconsistency. Finally, they could see glimpses of the team's potential.
Orlando City, on the other hand, will need to analyze where the match slipped away from them. Though they remained competitive with 56% possession and outshooting the Union 23-10, they must tighten their defense, which showed vulnerability on multiple occasions. The new-look squad, having seen key departures and introducing various new faces, could take some time to gel.
Overall, this match was not just about the scoreline; it was about laying the groundwork for the new season, identifying strengths, and signaling the intent of both teams. With the first match behind them, the Philadelphia Union has taken the early lead, setting up what fans hope to be a season of revival.