These are the numbers that stand out in the Union’s remarkable regular season turnaround

Much of the talk surrounding the Union has focused on the turnaround the team has shown since returning to league action after a reset courtesy of the FIFA World Cup. It was a seven-week break that left the team searching for answers about how a season with so much promise ended with just one win after 15 matches in Major League Soccer.

On Saturday, the Union will embark on Matchday No. 27 when they host Orlando City inside Subaru Park (7:30 p.m., Apple TV). A win would set a franchise record of 12 straight matches unbeaten in MLS, an impressive run accomplished under an interim coach and with a sizable chunk of the roster away on international duty during the first FIFA window since the World Cup.

» READ MORE: A Bridesburg basement and three older brothers helped Cavan Sullivan become the future of U.S. Soccer

The club’s second-half surge has them in great position to earn a trip to the MLS Cup playoffs, with seven games remaining before brackets and seeds are set. However, what’s often overlooked during the Union’s 11-match unbeaten run are the numbers behind their surge up the Eastern Conference standings and the metrics that have made them a contender again instead of an afterthought.

Here are a few figures that stand out.

The number of head coaching roles within the Union by current interim head coach Ryan Richter. In addition to once being the director of the Union’s Junior Academy, Richter, 37, was also head coach of the club’s developmental team, Union II, before taking over as interim head coach of the senior team in May.

The number of wins and draws the Union have amassed in 23 league meetings against Orlando City. They’ll be looking to avenge a 4-3 loss to the Lions at Inter & Co. Stadium on May 13. It was a game in which Cavan Sullivan scored his first MLS goal, but a last-minute clincher by Orlando sent the Union to their second straight loss in May.

Eight is also the number of goals by a player with the last name “Sullivan” on the roster. Cavan Sullivan has scored seven goals, including six in the Union’s last six matches, while his older brother Quinn has one since returning from a season-ending ACL tear last season.

» READ MORE: Despite the absence of key players, Union boss Ryan Richter remains ‘confident’ results will come against Orlando City

The number of goals the Union have allowed since their second-half return in MLS play. By comparison, during their slump before the World Cup break, the Union allowed 30 goals. Nestled within that are four shutouts, including 5-0 outbursts against FC Cincinnati (Sept. 9) and four days later on the road against San Diego FC.

Union captain Alejandro Bedoya’s appearances this season. Bedoya, 39, might be considered the elder statesman on the roster, but his work rate, particularly when he enters in the second half, has been a key contributor to the team’s second-half surge. He owns a 65% accurate passer rating and has three assists in league play. However, Richter and several players on the squad suggest the leadership Bedoya brings is the real talent of this chapter of his 11-year career in Philadelphia.

The average age of the three Union players who were called into the senior U.S. men’s national team ahead of four matches for the Americans during the FIFA window. Defenders Frankie Westfield (20) and Neil Pierre (18), and midfielder Cavan Sullivan (16) make up the trio who, along with midfielder Danley Jean Jacques (26, Haiti) and goalkeeper Andre Blake (35, Jamaica), will miss time with the team due to international duty.

The number of points the Union have amassed in this second half of the season. The club limped into the break with a 1-10-4 (seven points) record. Since the break, the Union are 9-0-2 in MLS play.

The number of MLS goals the Union have scored since the restart of the season. In total, the club has scored 50 goals in league play, meaning that 60% have come since July 22 when the Union took home a 3-1 win against Red Bull New York at home.

The number of minutes played by defender Nathan Harriel, who is the only player to have started every league match for the team. Harriel, who has been a bona fide presence at outside back, ranks third in MLS for the most minutes by a player who isn’t a goalkeeper.

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