Union vs. Orlando City SC
7 p.m. on UniMas
For the first time this season, the Union (2-2-0) are dealing with adversity. After rattling off back-to-back wins, the club was defeated by the Chicago Fire on the road last weekend as a result of an early red card. The gut-punch setback will test the Union's resolve, as they host undefeated Orlando City SC (2-0-2) on Friday ( p.m., UniMas) at Talen Energy Stadium.
Here's five things to know:
1. Nationally televised advantage
Facing an undefeated team has its challenges. But Union manager Jim Curtin believes his club might have the advantage on Friday, at home and in front of a nationally televised UniMas audience.
"All of the players know now when everybody's watching," he said. "The NFL has their Monday night, we have Friday night, where there's one game and all eyes are on it. As a player you get a little more excited. It's a good opportunity to make a statement early on in the season. It's a little extra special."
Another potential advantage is the weather. It's expected to be cold and cloudy at Talen Energy Stadium, something players that live and train in Orlando might not be used to. Meanwhile, three of the Union's four games have been cold, windy and miserable.
"I would say we're well equipped for the wind, that's for sure," Curtin said. "Between [playing in] Dallas, Chicago and the weather in Philly, it's been windy and cold. A team like New England, they're used to terrible weather, but Orlando is playing in 80 degrees everyday, so 30 degrees could feel a little uncomfortable for them. It's going to be a cold Friday night here, which I'm OK with."
2. Nogueira's return, Barnetta ready
With Warren Creavalle serving a one-game red card suspension, Vincent Nogueira could find his way back into the Union's starting lineup.
The French midfielder missed two of the Union's last three games with a lower-body injury, but was held back behind Creavalle in the starting lineup for last week's 1-0 loss to the Chicago Fire.
"Vincent's a guy who's in good form now in training and has looked sharp, so we'll weigh our options," said Curtin, who wouldn't tip his hand. "We'd like to keep a similar formation as the one we've had, so [changes] won't be too drastic. There are some tough decisions."
Yet one of those tough decisions won't be on midfielder Tranquillo Barnetta, who is slotted to start on Friday -- his first of the 2016 season. Barnetta played 24 minutes in his season debut last Saturday.
"II thought he came in and contributed a lot into our attack," Curtin said. "He's a guy who always likes to play forward and play aggressive. I still think he has some room to improve on the fitness but he's been working really hard on that after training each and every day. We're anxious to get him back in fully with the group."
And Barnetta is anxious to be back.
"It was hard to watch the guys," he said. "I'm happy to be back with the team. I hope we can continue the good results and get a win on Friday."
3. Shorthanded Orlando
Orlando City SC earned a statement win on Sunday, beating the Portland Timbers 4-1 at home, to push their record to an impressive 2-0-2. But in doing that, potentially lost a couple key pieces.
Full back Brek Shea, who was originally handed a yellow card for a reckless tackle in the game, was later suspended for Friday. This happened after one of the league's best strikers, Cyle Larin, picked up a hamstring injury, making him questionable against the Union.
"They'll be missing a player in Brek Shea," Curtin said. With that suspension, it changes them a little bit. Still, no matter who is on the field, they're a team that be aggressive in their attack. Hopefully, we can try to use that against them a little bit and attack the spaces that they've kind of vacated when they fly forward."
If Larin, who had 17 goals in 24 starts last season, does push through his hamstring injury and play, the Union will be ready. The hosts aren't taking any chances with a player that has three goals in four games this season and could tear them apart.
"He's big, he's fast, he's athletic, he holds the ball well and he can pass," Curtin said. "Orlando will have a decision to make with the quick turnaround. We'll have to prepare for him as if he's in. But he's a guy we'll have to do well with if he is in the lineup."
4. Keep an eye on
Union: Despite the 1-0 defeat last Saturday, Ilsinho gave the Union a chance at a result. The first-year MLS player and pre-season trialist turned big-name signing put on a show, taking defenders on 1-on-1 and even rifling a shot off the post.
"He's a special player," Curtin said. "I don't think the fans or even the rest of the league has seen what we see everyday in training. It comes out in glimpses in the game but we need to do an even better job getting him on the ball more and more because he is so special."
Orlando: It doesn't take a genius to point out Kaka as the player to watch for Orlando City. The legendary Brazilian midfielder made his 2016 debut against the Timbers on Sunday and finished with a goal, two assists and three shots on net.
"Kaka, I don't have to talk about," Curtin said. "Everyone is aware of how special he is. In his first game, he was pretty dominant. We've watched a lot tape on Orlando and it'll be a tough task. Hopefully we'll be ready to go."
5. This and that
• The Union played Orlando City twice in Orlando's expansion season, and the result wasn't very exciting. The two clubs combined for one goal -- a Sebastien Le Toux offering, that claimed the 1-0 Union victory at Talen Energy Stadium. The teams combined for a scoreless draw earlier in the season.
• In the two games last season, the Union held Kaka and Larin to a combined two shots on goal and five shot attempts.
• With a victory on Friday, the Union would temporarily take over the Eastern Conference lead with a 3-2-0 record and nine points. Orlando City currently leads the East with eight points.
• Through four games this season, Orlando City has registered an MLS-leading eight goals. The Union are tied for fourth in the league in goals against with four.
