Philadelphia Union hosts Toronto FC for Greener Goals Night presented by Subaru on Saturday night. Don’t miss the action with MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
Five matches are already in the rear view mirror for the Boys in Blue this month with the squad having lost just once. While cool temperatures started off the month so too was the Union offense with just one finding the back of the net in the first three games. Over the past two matches goals have been coming with a pair of goals in each that saw the Union secure another trip to the Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League Semifinals. This month has seen a lot of wear and tear with Andre Blake, Kai Wagner, Leon Flach, Damion Lowe and Olivier Mbaizo all missing matches with minor injuries according to Jim Curtin. During his midweek press conference Curtin said this week has been one the club needed, a full week to prepare for a match. In fact it is just the fifth match out of 13 in total where the club has had a week to get ready for a contest. With success comes a busy schedule but the Union’s depth has helped them find success in North America’s biggest tournament.
While Philly isn’t where everyone expected them in the league table, the season is will quite young with only eight matches completed out of 34. Now isn’t the time to panic and no one in the dressing room has had that cross their mind.
The focus is fully on Toronto with Curtin saying that the club hasn’t mentioned their next CCL opponent at all this week and the Canadian side is one that requires it. Bob Bradley’s side sit just one point ahead of the Union in the table and like Philly is playing much better than their results show. Like Philly last season, Toronto has seen wins become draws and lead MLS with six. Six points out of a possible 18 with their latest coming in thrilling fashion at home against Atlanta United FC last weekend. After Richie Laryea opened the scoring with a brilliant inside run from his wingback spot leveled the match at 1-1, Toronto had to get a stoppage time equalizer from Brandon Servania to extend their unbeaten streak to seven.
Only once has Toronto FC come up on the losing side of a match in 2023 and it came back on Opening Day where a chaotic finish saw D.C. United score twice in the 90th minute and on.
Toronto FC made a huge splash during the summer transfer window last season with the additions of Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi. The Italian duo have combined for 17 goals and eight assists since coming across the Atlantic and are a key focal point for every opposing coach. Bernardeschi has started all eight of Toronto’s matches this season and contributed six goals while his teammate is making his return from injury with a substitute appearance last weekend against Atlanta. Saturday’s focus will be keeping the Union defense compact with only 30-35 yards from the backline to the front line. Stars will get their touches but the emphasis will be to keep them out on the wing or far away from where they can create a scoring chance.
Philadelphia Union hosts Toronto FC for Green Goals Night presented by Subaru on Saturday, April 22nd at 7:30PM ET. Limited tickets remain for the contest and can be purchased by clicking here. Fans can also catch the action on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
