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Game Recap

Orlando Lights Up Philly's Defense in Six-Goal Thriller

MLS

So much for elite defensive form. Philadelphia Union's vaunted back line — that pristine 0.8 goals-against over five matches — got absolutely torched in a 4-2 barnburner that sent our under 4.0 pick straight to the glue factory. Six total goals will do that.

The Union ultimately prevailed at home, but this wasn't the controlled, low-scoring grind we'd been banking on. Orlando's road fragility showed up as advertised — they leaked four — but nobody told their attack they were supposed to roll over quietly. Two goals from a visiting side that's been defensively porous all season? That's the wrinkle that killed us.

Philadelphia's winning streak continues, sure, but the clean-sheet parade ended emphatically. When you're projecting a combined xG well south of four goals and the actual scoreline delivers six, you've either missed a tactical shift or caught both teams on an unusually open night. Orlando's 2.29 road goals-for average suddenly looks modest compared to what they actually produced.

The market moved this total from 3.5 to 4.0 for a reason — sharps smelled goals coming. We zigged toward Philadelphia's defensive résumé; the scoreboard zagged hard. Sometimes the recent form is fool's gold, and tonight was one of those nights. Tough miss, plain and simple.

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