Cold weather could help Union on Friday night

The weather forecast for the Union's 7 p.m. Major League Soccer home game on Friday night against Orlando City SC calls for it to be frigid, and Union coach Jim Curtin couldn't be happier.

Orlando City (2-0-2) and Real Salt Lake (2-0-2) are the only unbeaten teams in MLS. Since Orlando City is used to playing in warm weather, Curtin couldn't contain his glee about the forecast.

Weather.com states that the temperature in Chester's Talen Energy Stadium Friday night is expected to be 36 degrees with a 20 percent chance of precipitation. Winds will be coming from the northwest at 14 mph.

"Orlando is playing in 80 degrees every day, and 30 [degrees] can feel uncomfortable to them, and the conditions could be in our favor," Curtin said.

The Union have already played in some awful conditions, including last week in a 1-0 loss to the host Chicago Fire.

It was sunny at first, but that was followed by a blizzard and then sun again. And the swirling winds were difficult to deal with.

"The conditions in Chicago were the worst I have actually ever been a part of," Curtin said. "When you watch the video of the game it looks like a nice spring day, and you don't really realize how horrendous it was. It was 40-50 mph wind, and snow would come and the cloud cover. So it was a unique game."

Worse than that was the red card given to Warren Creavalle in the 47th minute, forcing the Union to play nearly a half shorthanded. The Fire scored in the 51st minute.

Adding to the frustration was that Union midfielder Ilsinho hit the crossbar, and C. J. Sapong hit the post twice.

It wasn't a good showing against a Chicago team that had been winless.

Now the Union have to play an Orlando team that beat defending MLS Cup champion Portland, 4-1, on Sunday. Star midfielder Kaka' earned MLS player of the week honors with a goal and two assists, and he will be a handful.

The reigning MLS rookie of the year, forward Cyle Larin, is suffering from a hamstring injury. His status isn't known, but Orlando may not risk him in poor weather conditions.

Larin set an MLS rookie record with 17 goals and this season leads Orlando City with three scores.