Game Thread: Philadelphia Union 0 Toronto FC 3 final

Like a broken record, the Philadelphia Union lose again on the road.

The Union have now been shut out for 270 minutes on the road this season and outscored 8-0 as they approach nearly an entire calendar year without a win away from home.

Pathetic.

3-0 Toronto

A couple of 20-something homegrown players added to the Union’s woes. Jordan Hamilton played a lovely ball to Jay Chapman, who blasted a shot Blake could do nothing about to make it 3-0. Another road game, another disaster for the Union.

Third Sub

Cory Burke checks in for C.J. Sapong for the Union’s final substitution. That’s the first time Sapong has not gone the full 90 this season. Medunjanin, Bedoya, Rosenberry, Trusty and Blake are now the only other Union players who have played every minute this season.

Second Sub

Marcus Epps is into the match to make his season debut after scoring a goal for Bethlehem Steel last weekend. He’s in for Borek Docksal, which means Ilsinho will likely move to the 10.

Of Course

First Sub

Accam is subbed off (again) for Fafa Picault.

Giovinco Lies…When He Cries

Giovinco has been whining a lot tonight and it seems to be paying off. In the first half he drew a couple of soft fouls on Auston Trusty and somehow just kicked Jack Elliott while he was on the ground and didn’t draw yellow.

Halftime

As they were in Colorado and Dallas, the Union were held scoreless in the first half but they also conceded for the first time in the first 45 on the road this season when Victor Vazquez beat Andre Blake after receiving a pass from a wide open Nicolas Hasler. It could possibly have been worse given all of the turnovers, last ditch defending and a pair of saves from Blake. But the Union probably should have gotten a goal from Alejandro Bedoya who had two good looks on goal and nearly got on the end of a Haris Medunjanin free kick.

Jack Elliott is in the book, which could be a dangerous scenario against Sebastian Giovinco, who drew a couple questionable fouls against Auston Trusty and was in the refs ear on a number of other occasions in the first half.

Goal Toronto

And a huge swing a miss from Gaddis, who is not having a good night.

Missed Opportunity No. 1

Somehow despite being pinned into their own end for the better part of the first 10+ minutes, the Union managed a scoring chance and really should be up 1-0. Alejandro Bedoya had a good look at goal off a corner kick but his header clanged off the crossbar.

Wind Factor

All Toronto

So far it’s been all Toronto and next to nothing for the Union going forward. Sebastian Giovinco connected on a dangerous shot set up by a bad turnover that Andre Blake was able to tip up and over the bar

Starting Lineups

Philadelphia Union
Jim Curtin going with the same lineup as last week: Andre Blake, Ray Gaddis, Auston Trusty, Jack Elliott, Keegan Rosenberry, Alejandro Bedoya, Haris Medunjanin, David Accam, Ilsinho and David Accam. Marcus Epps, meanwhile, is in the 18 for the first time this season.

How to watch

Where: BMO Field, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

When: 8 p.m. ET, Friday, May 4, 2018

TV: PHL17, TSN 1/3/4/5

Streaming: ESPN+

Radio: Union Radio

Matthew Ralph

Matthew Ralph is the managing editor of Philadelphia Soccer Now. He's covered soccer at all levels for a decade in the Philadelphia region and has also written for TheCup.us, NPSL, PrepSoccer and other publications. He lives with his wife and two young children in Broomall, Pa., but grew up in South Jersey and is originally from Kansas.

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