Martin Perelman believes that Orlando City's consistency is improving little by little, despite the Lions losing to CF Montreal in their last MLS outing. 

Orlando suffered their eighth defeat of the season at the weekend as stoppage-time goals from Daniel Rios and Dagur Thorhallsson sealed a 2-0 win for Montreal.

It was a result that leaves the Lions down in 14th in the Eastern Conference ahead of taking on fellow strugglers Philadelphia Union, in a midweek clash at Inter&Co Stadium. 

Perelman's side have alternated between a loss and victory in their last five league matches and have not gone back-to-back games without a defeat so far in 2026. 

And though the interim Orlando boss believes their level is improving, he will look to instil greater stability when the World Cup break rolls around.

"Consistency is what every team looks for. It's not easy, every time we lose, we speak about that," Perelman said.

"We will continue working hard, so, little by little, we will continue growing, and [with] as much time [as] we have, the better [it is] for us. We will have the break for the World Cup.

"We will take advantage of that moment, and for sure, the consistency and the results are going to come, like the consistency in performances is coming, little by little."

Philadelphia, meanwhile, saw their winless league stretch extend to five matches after letting a lead slip away to the high-flying New England Revolution last time out. 

The Union took a 1-0 lead through Will Sands' own goal before losing to New England.

It was the first time since the start of last season that Philadelphia lost a match in which they held a lead, as the Union were one of three teams that had not lost a match in which they had led since the start of the 2025 campaign.

Philadelphia also edged the expected goals (xG) battle with a total of 1.27 from their 11 shots, to New England's 1.05 from 10 attempts, but Union boss Bradley Carnell was keen to focus on the positives. 

"There was a bitterness, and rightfully so," Carnell said when asked about the feeling in the dressing room.

"Against a team in New England that were in good form, and we'd put them in a tough game, you could not tell which team was second and which team was at the bottom.

"You could not see that. Credit to our guys, but we had nothing to show for it at the end of the day, so naturally, emotions are high and the feeling within the group is low. 

"But like I said, we are in this together. After the fact, it doesn't make sense. We can't live in a world of after the fact. We need to step up in those moments."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Orlando – Martin Ojeda

Ojeda was held off the scoresheet by Montreal after scoring a hat-trick against Inter Miami the match prior, but he will want to be back amongst the goals here.

He has scored at least one goal in all three of Orlando's MLS wins this season, as the Lions haven't won a league match in which Ojeda didn't score a goal since last August.

Philadelphia Union – Ezekiel Alladoh

Though not getting on the scoresheet, Alladoh was a presence up front for Philadelphia, and Carnell will be hoping his centre-forward can find the back of the net here.

Alladoh finished with team-high totals for shots (three), touches in the opposition box (four) and aerial duels won (six) against New England last time out.

MATCH PREDICTION: PHILADELPHIA UNION WIN

There have been two 0-0 draws in the 24 matches between Orlando and Philadelphia across all competitions. They came in the most recent meeting in April 2025 at Subaru Park and in the first-ever match between the teams, in August 2015 at Camping World Stadium.

But the Union's six points through 12 matches are the fewest by a reigning Supporters' Shield winner in MLS history. In fact, it's the first time in the Union's MLS history that they've collected just six points in a span of 12 matches within a single season.

Orlando, meanwhile, failed to score in their fifth league game this season against Montreal, all of which were losses in league play. They didn't have a single shutout loss in 2025, while their five this season are tied for the most in league play by any MLS team (Sporting Kansas City).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Orlando – 31.7%

Draw – 24.2%

Philadelphia Union – 44%