Photo Paul Rudderrow

Who: Philadelphia Union vs Toronto FC

What: MLS Regular Season 

Where: BMO FieldWhen: 7:30PM

Watch: FREE on Apple TV/MLS Season Pass

Whistle: 

REF: Allen Chapman

AR1: Chantal Boudreau

AR2: Walt Heatherly

4TH: Mathieu Souare

VAR: Greg Dopka

AVAR: TJ Zablocki

Background

After a high-flying start for John Herdman’s Toronto FC (7W-3D-13L), the Reds have faltered of late, losing 6 in a row in MLS, and are barely hanging on to 9th place in the play-in spot. Comparatively, Philadelphia Union (4W-9D-9L) started 2024 well but has since been unable to win. Philly did avoid defeat last time out but still has a mountain to climb if any postseason expectations are to be met. A win now could start to build confidence as Toronto is only 3 points ahead of the Union. A loss would be another brutal blow. Both fans might be in for a stinker- or as the kids say a ‘Mid-Off’- as each team has been winless since May. 

Scouting Report: Toronto FC

L-L-L-L-L

While Toronto lost last week in MLS- a 4-0 shellacking by Columbus- the Reds also suffered a defeat in the first leg of the Canadian Championship Semi-Final against CPL team Forge FC.  Despite a decent start, going 3-1-1 in their first 5 matches, Toronto is winless since May 18th, the same as the Union. However, the Reds have now lost 7 in all competitions. The only team on a worse run of form is DC United (Last win coming May 11th), who are nailed to the bottom of the East in 15th place, one point below the 14th-placed Union. Perhaps due to these results, the team announced they fired Club President Bill Manning yesterday. He has held the post since 2015. This quote was provided,

“…as we evaluate the path ahead, and measure against our ambition to consistently deliver contending teams, it was determined that a new direction was required. Bill is a very accomplished team executive and a good man, and we wish him and his family the very best in the future.”

Although Manning played a key role in Toronto’s rise and eventual MLS Cup victory in 2017, the past few seasons have yielded no post-season appearances or trophies, apart from a lone CC in 2020. 

On the field, John Herdman is in the midst of his first full year at the helm. He has instituted his preferred 3-at-the-back formations which utilize wingbacks. It is typically listed as a 3-4-3 but occasionally as the more common 3-5-2. Herdman also ran a 3-back with the Canadian men’s team in their 2022 World Cup campaign. 

Herdman reunited with Richie Laryea at Toronto after he played the defender in all three group-stage games in Qatar. Laryea, a DP, would normally be a key player for the Reds but only made one start before picking up an injury that required surgery. He only recently returned to MLS action as a sub, but has already healed up. He appeared in all of the Canucks games in their run to the Semis at this year’s Gold Cup. However, the Red will be without him and midfielder Jonathan Osorio as Canada contends the Bronze Medal match at Copa against Uruguay (yes, they still have 3rd place matches at most tournaments)

Interestingly, Federico Bernardeschi, one of Toronto’s Italian DPs has been deployed mainly as an attacking Wing-Back this season but his versatile skill set does allow him to switch roles mid-game. Despite the team’s struggles on the year, he is having his best season in MLS currently sitting on 8g/5a but has been sent off twice.

The 3rd DP on the team, Lorenzo Insigne, (Yes- both he and Bernardeschi won Euro 2020 with Italy before transferring to Toronto on frees), has been good- when he can play. The diminutive winger has been injured for multiple stretches during this season but played in all the previous 6 MLS losses for TFC contributing 1g/1a across 5 starts.

Finally, Prince Owusu has adjusted to MLS after transferring from Bundesliga 2. club Jahn Regensburg last summer. The German striker is second in TFC for goals with 6.

Injury Report: Alonso Coello OUT, Brandon Servania OUT, Tyrese Spicer OUT

Suspended: N/a

International Duty: Richie Laryea OUT, Jonathan Osorio OUT

Scouting Report: Philadelphia Union

D-L-L-L-L

After a franchise-worst 5 losses in a row, Jim Curtin and the Philadelphia Union finally stopped the bleeding with a scoreless draw against rivals New York Red Bulls. Andrew Rick resumed the role of backup, in the continued absence of Andrew Blake, and earned his first MLS shutout in the process. 

Unfortunately, things won’t get any easier for the Boys in Blue this week. Amid lackluster performances throughout the season, the Boys in Blue have been hindered by a noticeable lack of depth. In recent weeks the fragility has been further exposed by injuries to DP forward Mikael Uhre, club captain Alejandro Bedoya, and young prospect Jesus Bueno as well as notable Copa absences. 

While Jim Curtin confirmed that those three injured players will return in his pre-game presser, Jack McGlynn and Nathan Harriel will likely be unavailable as they have departed for Paris with the Olympic team. Andre Blake has been training but it seems unlikely that he’d play. Additionally, Jose Martinez is still ‘coming back from Venezuela’ and has reportedly drawn interest from UNAM Pumas (I am unsure of how trustworthy the source is). The team will be thin, particularly at fullback and center mid.

Because of this, it will be interesting to see if Curtin rolls out a 3-back formation. He has used a variation of a 3/5 back lineup four times this year, most recently against NYRB. Typically, it seems that when the team starts in that lineup, their defense is stout but their offense stagnates (with the exception of the Cincinnati game which was a typical Union away game and a 3-4 loss).  He did opt for the standard Diamond in the reverse fixture with Toronto back in May but, Herdman’s man-marking tactic suffocated the Union attack, leading to a 0-0 draw.

Without key playmaker McGlynn, and with only the possibility of a Martinez appearance, the sole creative midfielder on the team is Quinn Sullivan. 

Whatever lineup is rolled out with whoever’s available is secondary to the simple fact that the Union has started to enter must-win territory. Hard to believe, but there are only 11 games left in the MLS season. The Union are currently 3 points outside the Play-In spots and 6 points outside an automatic berth. Realistically, they need to win their next  3 games before the Leagues Cup break to set themselves up for what looks to be a very challenging end to the season. The last 8 games include Columbus twice, Miami away, reverse fixtures with both New York teams, and Cinci… yikes.

Injury Report: Andre Blake QUESTIONABLE, Alejandro Bedoya LIKELY

Suspended: N/a

International Duty: 

Jack McGlynn OUT, Nathan Harriel OUT, Jose Martinez QUESTIONABLE

Key Matchup: Union’s left side vs. Federico Bernadeschi

He’s the danger man for the Reds; it will require something special from whoever’s marking him to contain him. Depending on how Herdman uses him on the night, as well as the variables in play for Curtin, the Boys in Blue will have to be alert to him. He loves to cut inside from wide areas, which is difficult for the Union to defend- particularly in their 3 back formations. 

Player to Watch: Quinn Sullivan

With McGlynn away and Martinez questionable to even make the bench, the majority of linking build-up play to attacks could fall on Quinn Sullivan. Realistically, the Union will probably kick it long more often than not, but Sullivan only needs a few touches to make some magic happen. His team will need some of that magic on Saturday. 

Prediction: 2-2 Tie

The 2024 Union scores goals on the road but can’t defend. Toronto FC can score goals at home but can’t defend. Feels like the teams are set to combine for a messy draw, one way or the other. The Union is so chaotic right now, that they’re difficult to predict this year and the scoreline will likely be heavily influenced by who the Union has available. They truly do need all of their best 11 players on the field to win. Gazdag converts a PK and Quinn contributes for the Union’s 2 but Bernardeschi and Owusu grab a goal apiece to keep things level.