GAME THREAD: Philadelphia Union vs. Toronto FC

Three huge points are on the line this evening as Toronto FC, one of Major League Soccer’s hottest teams, heads to Chester to square off against a resurgent Philadelphia Union for the home debut of Alejandro Bedoya. Toronto hasn’t lost in their last five, winning four straight before drawing Houston on the road in a game that was postponed a day because of severe weather in East Texas. Toronto has one of the league’s best defenses, which has largely been overshadowed by the offensive star power of Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore.

The Union on the other hand had looked shaky, going winless in four before absolutely destroying the New England Revolution 4-0 in their last match out. The win has seemingly bolstered the confidence among the team, who added MLS veteran Charlie Davies and FC Nantes and United States midfielder Alejandro Bedoya as the summer transfer window shut.

With just three points separating the fourth place Union from the second place Reds in the Eastern Conference standings, this could prove to be a critical match for both teams’ playoff aspirations. While both teams are on track to make the playoffs, both would like to have the first round bye that comes with placing first or second in the division.

UNION GAME #25
	VS
Venue: Talen Energy Stadium (Chester, PA)
Date: August 20, 2016
Time: 7:00 PM
Television: The Comcast Network (Philadelphia), Sportsnet 360, MLS Direct Kick
Online Streaming: MLS Live, MLS Direct Kick
tBG Match Preview: Philadelphia Union vs. Toronto FC
Waking The Red Match Preview: Big Points on the Line For Toronto FC Against Philadelphia Union
Starting XI
CJ Sapong	Forward	Sebastian Giovinco, Jozy Altidore
Warren Creavalle, Alejandro Bedoya; Chris Pontius, Tranquillo Barnetta, Ilsinho	Midfield	Michael Bradley, Marky Delgado, Will Johnson, Jonathan Osorio
Fabinho, Richie Marquez, Ken Tribbett, Keegan Rosenberry	Defense	Steven Beitashour, Eriq Zavaleta, Drew Moor, Justin Morrow
Andre Blake	Goalkeeper	Alex Bono
John McCarthy, Ray Gaddis, Josh Yaro, Roland Alberg, Walter Restrepo, Fabian Herbers, Charlie Davies	Bench	Quillan Roberts, Nick Hagglund, Josh Williams, Tsubasa Endoh, Jay Chapman, Tosaint Ricketts, Daniel Lovitz.
Numbers of Note
42 – Number of goals the Philadelphia Union have scored in 2016. New York City FC and the New York Red Bulls each have scored 43, which is best in MLS.
1.54 – Points per game for Toronto FC, which is best in the Eastern Conference and fourth best in MLS.
15 – Number of goals by Sebastian Giovinco, which is tied for best in MLS with David Villa.
Game Officials
Referee: Mark Geiger
Assistant: Claudiu Badea
Assistant: Kevin Klinger
Fourth: Rubiel Vazquez