Major League Soccer has joined the rest of the world’s first soccer divisions with a restart, but instead of playing in home stadiums in front of empty bleachers, MLS has gathered all of its teams in Orlando, using the vast Disney complex to host teams and put on games. Instead of resuming the season schedule, MLS is using a World Cup-style tournament to basically complete the whole season. FC Dallas had to withdraw after 10 of its players turned up positive with COVID-19, but 24 of the league’s teams were sorted into six groups. On Monday night, the Philadelphia Union will take on Orlando City, and the winner will win Group A. If the teams draw, Orlando City would win the group on the basis of goal differential. Take a look at the current Group A standings as well as our sports betting thoughts on the matchup, along with their MLS odds.
MLS Betting: Philadelphia vs Orlando City (July 20)
- When: Monday, July 20, 2020, 8:00 pm ET
- Where: ESPN Wide World of Sports, Orlando, FL
- TV: ESPN / TUDN (Spanish broadcast)
- Radio: 102.5 FM Philadelphia / 810 AM Orlando
- Live Stream: fuboTV / ESPN3
- MLS Odds: Philadelphia +140 / Draw +255 / Orlando City +170
Group A Standings (as of July 20)
Place Team Wins Draws Losses Points Goal Differential
1 Orlando City 2 0 0 6 +3
2 Philadelphia 2 0 0 6 +2
3 NYC FC 1 0 2 3 -2
4 Inter Miami 0 0 3 0 -3
Why should you bet on Philadelphia?
Philadelphia took advantage of a lack of disciplined defense on the part of Inter Miami in their last match, prevailing 2-1 on Tuesday. Kai Wagner got the Union on the board in just the fifth minute, but then Rodolfo Pizarro brought Inter Miami level in the 36th minute. The match went into halftime tied at a goal apiece. Kacper Przybylko put Philadelphia back into the lead in the 63rd minute, and Inter Miami was not able to find another equalizer. Andres Reyes was shown a red card for Inter Miami late in injury time at the end of the second half, a meaningless act of frustration that will keep him out of their next match.
Philadelphia only possessed for 45 percent of the game but led in shots, 7-6 (although Inter Miami led in shots on target, 4-3). The teams combined for 35 fouls and three yellow cards, in addition to Reyes’ red. Inter Milan forced more corners (5-2) but was unable to break through again when they needed to. If you like Philadelphia, you see them finding ways to be more intentional when they have possession, as it is unlikely that they will be able to prevail in this same sort of grindfest against Orlando City.
Why should you put your money on Orlando City?
Orlando City also prevailed on Tuesday despite trailing in shots on target. They only needed ten minutes to build a 2-0 lead on NYC FC, as Chris Mueller scored in the fourth and tenth minutes to complete a speedy brace. Jesus Medina made it 2-1 for NYC FC in the 38th minute, but NYC FC could get no closer. Then, Tesho Akindele restored the two-goal lead for Orlando City in the 81st minute to give the game its final 3-1 margin.
Orlando City possessed for just over half of the game but was outshot, 19-11 (and 9-5 on target). The teams committed a total of 21 fouls, with seven yellow cards shown (four to Orlando City). NYC FC brought all kinds of pressure, forcing 13 corners, but they were only able to put the ball in the Orlando City net that one time. If you like Orlando City here, hopefully you see them doing a better job on defense against Philadelphia, as it is hard to take on that kind of pressure in multiple games while permitting just a goal per contest.
Final Prediction
Philadelphia continues to build on a fine 2019 season, when they finished in third place in the Eastern Conference. Orlando City is a pleasant surprise, as they were in 11th place in the East for the 2019 campaign but are on the brink of winning the group. I see Orlando City coming out with a conservative style, as all they need is the draw to win the group, and I’m not sure Philadelphia has what it takes to break through that shell. I predict a final score of Orlando City 1, Philadelphia 1.
