Photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Union

Who: Philadelphia Union (1-1-6) vs. Toronto FC (3-3-2)

What: MLS Regular Season, Matchday 9

Where: BMO Field, Toronto, Canada

When: Wednesday, April 22, 7:30 PM

Watch: MLS on Apple TV, Radio: 97.5 FM The Fanatic

Whistle: REF: Fotis Bazakos AR1: Chris Wattam AR2: Nick Balcer 4TH: Fabrizio Stasolla VAR: Ismir Pekmic AVAR: Tom Felice

The Union enter this match on a season-best two-game run, which has produced their first win of 2026 and all of this season’s points. Toronto, who host this midweek fixture, are unbeaten in six after opening the campaign with back-to-back losses. The Boys in Blue have scored just six times in eight games, but have conceded fewer goals (12) than the Reds (14). This game, which could extend the Union’s unbeaten run to three games or extend Toronto’s to seven, won’t be an easy one. 

Scouting Report: Toronto FC

Goals, and lots of them!

Toronto’s matches this season have averaged 3.375 goals combined, including multiple 5+ goal matches. They drew Austin 3-3 last time out and beat Colorado 3-2 in their last win on April 4. This team knows how to score, and it’s cause they’ve got the talent to do so. Josh Sargent and Daniel Salloi headline the attacking talent, but names such as Derrick Etienne Jr and Jules-Anthony Vilsaint have added their hats to the ring as well. 

This is a side that does well when they shoot, as you can expect, because of the talent they have. They’re rarely outshot, but even when they are, they generate more xG or Big Chances, stats that can easily lead to wins. Toronto are 10th in MLs in shots on target per match, and create a ton. They’re 6th in corners and 9th in touches in the opposition’s box, even while maintaining under 50% possession on average. Head Coach Robin Fraser knows who he’s got spearheading his attack, and has been using them well. 

We the North

One of just three teams playing their MLS games in Canada, Toronto have done a very strong job defending their home turf. They’ve won nine points in their five games and have been consistently fruitful. They’ve yet to lose at home, although three draws in those five games is a bit daunting. 

The Reds have scored 10 times in their five home games, seven of which came in their last three. Sure, they’ve conceded 14 goals over the course of the campaign, but their opponents in this one have been struggling to score. Fraser has lined his side up in a 4-3-3 over the last two games after alternating options the previous few times out, and has Sargent unsurprisingly leading the line. 

Injury Report: Theo Corbeanu (OUT – Knee), Djordje Milhailovic (OUT – Knock), Walker Zimmerman (OUT – Calf), Nicksoen Gomis (OUT – Achilles), Henry Wingo (OUT – Hamstring)

Scouting Report: Philadelphia Union

Someone’s Gotta Put it in the Net

Despite generating 1.27xG against DC this past weekend, Philly failed to score. They’ve been shut out three times in the league this season and scored twice just once, in their only win. The Union have scored six times, from six different scorers, with only Indiana Vassilev’s coming from the penalty spot. Six goals in eight games isn’t going to work, even when your defense has been solid. Augustin Anello’s injury hurts, but guys like Bruno Damiana, Milan Iloski, Ezekiel Alladoh or Vassilev, all of whom have talent, need to step up and put the ball in the net. 

Of the six scorers this season, just three have been attackers, with Vassilev even being able to be deemed a midfielder. Iloski and Annello scored the others, but Anello is out right now, leaving just Iloski. The other three have come from center-backs Danley Jean Jacques and Japhet Sery, with midfielder Jesus Bueno netting the other. This attack can be good, it just hasn’t been. 

Build on Momentum

The Union enter on Wednesday on their best run in since February, having earned four points in their last two games. Those four points encompass this season’s tally and have come from a 2-1 away win at Montreal and the 0-0 draw at home to DC United this past weekend. The win away in Canada bodes well for this one, also up north, and showed some promise to the Union faithful. 

The Union also finally kept a clean sheet in their last match, their first of the year in MLS, and controlled the game, something head coach Bradley Carnell will be excited about. Despite a tough task on the road against a good opponent, this is a huge opportunity for the Boys in Blue to build on their momentum and keep stacking points. 

Injury Report:  Agustin Anello (OUT – Hamstring), Sal Olivas (OUT – Ankle), Quinn Sullivan (OUT – ACL Recovery), Stas Korzeniowski (QUESTIONABLE – Ankle)

Key Matchup: Toronto’s Experience vs Philly’s Inexperience

As a club, Philly has always leaned on its youth; that’s the truth. It’s been even more true this season; There are only 2 players over 30 on the roster, and plenty who are still figuring out who and what they are as a professional player.

Toronto, meanwhile, boasts a front line of Josh Sargent, Daniel Salloi, and Derrick Etienne Jr, with midfielder Jose Cifuentes and defenders Richie Laryea and Benjamin Kuscevic behind them (Walker Zimmerman is also there, just currently injured). Their only weak spot experience-wise is in goal, but academy product Luke Gavran has looked solid so far this year. 

Player to Watch: Josh Sargent

The Canadian side spent $22 million to bring Sargent over from Norwich City, a massive fee, but they have been let down so far. He’s scored only once in five matches (four starts) while generating 2.40xG, indicating poor finishing despite good chances. He’s a talented player and is coming up against a Union backline that’s kept just one clean sheet this season, but should be expected to do more. 

Prediction: Philadelphia Union 1 – 2 Toronto FC

Toronto is a talented team in good form, especially at home, and will likely carry that into this match. The Union are finding form, even if it’s just in two games, but has had trouble scoring goals, something that Toronto has plenty of talent to do. Philly dominated their last match, which is encouraging for this tie, but this midweek tie should favor the Reds.