Assessing the Philadelphia Union's Lineup Options for Orlando City Match

The Philadelphia Union will be without eight players due to international duty, as well two others due to injury and suspension.

The Philadelphia Union will likely be without nine players for Saturday’s home match with Orlando City.

It’s going to be the topic du jour for the entire week among the Union fan base, so why wait until Friday to get into the specifics.

Jim Curtin’s side will be without seven players due to international duty. Andre Blake suffered a Grade 1 adductor strain on March 11, so I’m going to assume he will miss Saturday’s game. Julian Carranza is suspended from his red card in the road loss to CF Montreal.

Here’s what Curtin has to work with for the Orlando match:

Joe Tansey @JTansey90

Correction: GK: Bendik, Trent DEF: Elliott, Glesnes, Harriel, Mbaizo. Real, Sorenson, Wagner MID: Bedoya, Bueno, Flach, Perea, Rafanello, Torres FW: Donovan, Pierre, Uhre Int'l Duty: Craig, McGlynn, Sullivan, Gazdag, Odada, Martinez, Lowe Blake hurt, Carranza out.

Joe Tansey @JTansey90

#DOOP Saturday roster: GK: Bendik, Trent DEF: Elliott, Glesnes, Harriel, Real, Sorenson, Wagner MID: Bedoya, Bueno, Flach, Perea, Rafanello, Torres FW: Donovan, Pierre, Uhre Int'l Duty: Craig, McGlynn, Sullivan, Gazdag, Odada, Martinez, Lowe, Mbaizo Blake hurt, Carranza out.

I apologize for the confusion about Olivier Mbaizo. He is not on Cameroon’s roster for this international window after he was a fixture in the buildup to the World Cup.

There are plenty of ways that the lineup could shake out. Some lineup ideas are more practical and in line with what Curtin will likely do, while others are more out-of-the-box.