A pair of late goals proved the difference as Philadelphia Union battled back for a 2-1 road win at Toronto FC on Wednesday night.
The goals came from a pair of defenders as Nathan Harriel found the equalizer in the 86th minute while Kai Wagner netted the winner in second half stoppage to extend the Union's unbeaten May.
Playing their eighth match of the month, Philadelphia Union didn't show any fatigue early on in the match but the half was dominated by the goalkeepers with Sean Johnson and Andre Blake, making his first start in 25 days, making big stops to keep the match scoreless. The second half saw the Canadian side break through with 15 minutes left on a hard shot from Ola Brynhildsen that went into the net's roof.
The Boys in Blue wrap up May in the Lone Star State with a showdown with FC Dallas on Saturday night. Kick off from Dallas is set for 8:30PM ET with coverage on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
How The Match Unfolded
It was 52 degrees and rainy at BMO Field when Philadelphia Union and Toronto FC kicked off their first meeting so far in 2025.
Head Coach Bradley Carnell sent out another rotated lineup for their first of two away matches this week, making multiple changes to the starting group that tied Inter Miami 3-3 just four days prior.
The biggest change was in between the posts -- for the first time since May 3rd, three-time MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Andre Blake suited up for the Philadelphia Union, returning to starting role in net and reclaiming the captain's armband. In front of him in the backline, Homegrown Frankie Westfield was back in the XI, lining up opposite Kai Wagner. With Westfield on the field, Nathan Harriel reprised his role at centerback, paired with Jakob Glesnes.
After playing an impressive 90 minutes against Inter Miami, Danley Jean Jacques earned some rest, starting the match on the bench. Instead, Jesus Bueno, Jovan Lukic, Indiana Vassilev, and Quinn Sullivan made up the midfield, while Tai Baribo and Bruno Damiani were the chosen duo up top.
On the sidelienes, Andrew Rick was a sub for the first time since stepping in for Blake and helping his team secured six-game MLS unbeaten streak. On the bench, he sat alongside Olwethu Makhanya, Olivier Mbaizo, Alejandro Bedoya, Ben Bender, Danley, Jeremy Rafanello, Cavan Sullivan, and Mikae Uhre.
12', Damiani nearly opens scoring | It would've been quite the way to open the dreary match in Toronto, but Bruno Damiani's opening chance was stopped by opposing keeper Sean Johnson/ In his eighth start this season, Damiani, the team's 23-year-old Uruguayan striker, attempted a near-post bike goal off a pass from Kai Wagner.
45', Scoreless at half | Both Philadelphia Union and Toronto FC retreated to the locker room at halftime emptyhanded, but not for their lack of trying. Philadelphia Union took six shots in the first half, outshooting Toronto six to none until the hosts got their first chance in the 39th minute. The half finished with four to seven, but nonetheless neither team was able to find the back of the net in the first '45. Toronto's closest chance came from Jonathan Osorio in the 42nd, but Blake made the stop.
As for Philly, Jesus Bueno extended himself to descend onto a pass for a shot, but Johnson made a final first half save to keep it level.
Hafltime, Toronto sub | Toronto's Head Coach Robin Fraser made his first change at half, swapping Henry Wingo for Sigurd Rosted.
64', Near post opportunity | The Boys in Blue shifted into gear just past the hour mark with an interception just outside the Toronto FC box providing the perfect opportunity to get into the red zone. Quinn Sullivan cut a pass out wide to Kai Wagner for a low cross that snuck pass Sean Johnson off his line at the near post but no one from Philly could tap it in.
67', First Union changes | Looking to grab another road win, Head Coach Bradley Carnell turned to Mikael Uhre and Danley to add fresh legs and even more attacking creativity to the match in place of Bueno and Damiani. The move looked promising early on with the Haitian midfielder unloading a shot from distance that was stopped.
75', Toronto FC goal | The match that was begging for a goal saw it come from the home side with forward Ola Brynhildsen breaking the stalemate with a rocket from close distance that nearly put a hole in the net's roof.
86', Harriel fins the equalizer | With 10 set piece goals entering the match, the Union added another as Kai Wagner connected with homegrown Nathan Harriel for a towering header to level the match at 1-1.
90+2', Union grab the winner! | Five minutes were added to the second half and the Boys in Blue used the momentum of the late tying goal to turn one point into three. Wagner ripped a shot from long range that crashed off a Toronto FC defender and left the keeper helpless as it trickled into the back of the net to seal the victory for the Union.
