Photo Credit: Marjorie Elzey
Who: Philadelphia Union vs Toronto FC
What: MLS Regular Season, Matchday 17
Where: Subaru Park, Chester, Pennsylvania
When: Wednesday, May 29, 7:30 PM EST
Watch: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
Whistle: TBD
After capturing four points on the road in their last two matches against New England Revolution and Charlotte FC, Philadelphia Union will return home to host Toronto F.C. in the first of two matches before the international break.
Philadelphia currently ranks 6th in the MLS with 25 goals scored and 16th for goals allowed (21). Toronto, on the other hand, sits 9th in the league with 24 goals scored and 21st for goals allowed (24).
Scouting Report: Toronto FC
It might be hard to believe that the same Toronto FC that has averaged 28 points over the last three seasons is the club gearing up to be a potential contender for the MLS Cup. In the first 16 games of this season, Toronto has already matched their total points from last season and won nearly twice the number of games.
Seven of those victories have come in the club’s last 10 matches, resulting in TFC sitting 6th in the Eastern Conference. After dropping a 3-4 home result against FC Cincinnati on Saturday, TFC looks to return to winning ways with their first win in Subaru Park since 2019. Italian attacker Federico Bernardeschi is set to return after serving a one-game suspension for yellow card accumulation.
Wednesday night’s game will mark the end of a grueling month for the Reds, having played eight matches in 25 days across all competitions.
TFC hold a 13W-11L-7T record through their first 31 regular season meetings with the Union across 14 MLS seasons.
Injury Report: Brandon Servania (Out), Shane O’Neill (Out), Richie Laryea (Out), Prince Owusu (Questionable), Tyrese Spicer (Questionable)
Scouting Report: Philadelphia Union
If May in Toronto has been nonstop, May in Chester has been unusually gloomy (and so rainy). The Union have picked up just seven points in five matches.
After extending their unbeaten road record to eight in Charlotte over the weekend, the Boys in Blue look to carry that momentum into Subaru Park, where they have recently been uncharacteristically prone to dropping points.
With the return of Leon Flach, the Union defense has carried the way in back-to-back clean sheets at New England and Charlotte. This glimpse of the return to defensive prowess the Union and its fans have come to expect could boost spirits both on the pitch and in the River End. Coupled with the Union’s attacking trio of Uhre, Carranza, and Gazdag hitting their stride, Wednesday’s match could be the first step in rebuilding Subaru Park into the fortress it is known to be.
Injury Report: Andre Blake (Out), Holden Trent (Out), Isaiah LeFlore (Out)
Matchup to Watch: Federico Bernardeschi vs. Union back line
In any other season, the prospect of Federico Bernardeschi & Co. visiting Subaru Park wouldn’t have me losing sleep; however, as the Union’s defense continues to find its footing, the Italian star could quickly capitalize on any unforced error.
Player to Watch: Oliver Semmle
TFC has scored at least three goals in their last three matches across all competitions. As Semmle continues to grow into his spot with the Union, it’s crucial that he does his part in attempts to extend the clean sheet count to three in a row.
Prediction: Philadelphia Union 1- 0 Toronto FC
No offense to my fellow Italians Bernardeschi and Insigne, but it’s time to claim back Subaru Park.
We have a bad defense, Toronto have a good attack, This will probably not be a clean sheet
last 2 games have shown that the defense is not too bad. Looking forward to see how they handle this potent attack tonight.
I’m feeling good about this one. Toronto coming off a heartbreak. The Union coming off of one to build off of. Just had to put that sentiment out there in the internet chasms.
Here are the game officials.
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REF: Rubiel Vazquez
AR1: Andrew Bigelow
AR2: Matthew Nelson
4TH: Thomas Snyder
VAR: Daniel Radford
AVAR: Tom Supple
A roster detail of uncertain significance. NO Criticism of Amy should be inferred.
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Yesterday on the Injury report on MLS’s official website, Holden Trent was listed as out with his thumb. The report was dated last Friday. This afternoon, the updated report did not list Trent at all.
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He has not been available to play since January 27. But healing a thumb can take a long time, depending on the exact details of what is wrong. We don’t know those details. And certainly for a goalkeeper making sure a thumb is sound is essential.
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Trent will remain on the roster at least until Blake is fully healed and rehabilitated.
Good Luck tonight Boys !
Let’s return the SOOB to DOOPLAND !
Carranza is not in the lineup or on the bench. The good news is despite the fact that it has been raining for the last 45 minutes, they ran the sprinklers so the Union defenders will have an easier time slipping to allow Toronto to get by them.