Union fall to Toronto FC, 3-1

Sebastian Giovinco and the rejuvenated Jozy Altidore led Toronto FC to a huge 3-1 win over the Philadelphia Union in Chester. Those two, in addition to Drew Moor, tallied for TFC, while Ken Tribbett scored the Union’s only goal.

Giovinco nearly found the opener in the 13th minute, when his direct free kick required a full-extension save from Andre Blake. Though Blake won that initial battle, he would not be so fortunate the next time.

To rectify for not scoring a world-class goal just moments earlier, Giovinco picked up Marky Delgado’s exquisite through ball and proceeded to make amends for his grievous mistake. The speedy forward quickly made his way past the Union backline and fired a shot that hit both posts before ripping the net.

TFC nearly doubled the lead almost immediately, thanks to a nearly identical play. Though Giovinco left Ken Tribbett in the dust to create a 1v1 opportunity yet again, his effort was caught by the ad boards instead of the net.

Through the dead-ball prowess of Tranquillo Barnetta and aerial presence of Tribbett, the Union equalized just a few minutes after. The defender flung himself at an excellent pass from Barnetta, sending the ball off Alex Bono’s hands and into the side-netting.

As chants of “overrated” rang from The River End, Michael Bradley served up a beautiful free kick. His ball curled through the box until it reached the penalty spot, where Drew Moor met it with a diving header to put his side back in the lead.

Jozy Altidore extended TFC’s lead just before the half, eating Ken Tribbett for dinner in the process. The USMNT forward dragged the Union center back into the box before poking the ball past Andre Blake. Alejandro Bedoya arrived to the scene in support of Tribbett, but Altidore simply could not be stopped.

As far as comeback efforts go, the Union’s was fairly weak, though they did come close to narrowing the lead in the 67th minute. CJ Sapong displayed some fancy footwork in the box to free up some space, but his shot was batted away by Alex Bono.

The loss is the Union’s third in their last five, and their third at home this season. Thanks to the Chicago Fire’s surprising 3-0 win against the Montreal Impact at Saputo Stadium, the Union will remain fourth in the Eastern Conference until Wednesday, when they travel to Columbus.

Notes

• Union Head Coach Jim Curtin opted to start Ken Tribbett over Josh Yaro for the fourth straight game, and boy did he come to regret that decision. Giovinco roasted the tall defender on a spit, blowing by him multiple times in the first half. To make matters worse, Altidore absolutely manhandled Tribbett, who’s seen as the strong, physical alternative to Yaro, on the third goal. That his 24th minute goal is only Tribbett’s third-most noteworthy action of the night is indicative of how poor he was. Yaro replaced Tribbett at halftime, and, considering his recent performances, it might be the last we see of Tribbett for a while.