Photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Union

No one who only saw the tie score could know what a scrappy, hard fought, crazy game unfolded tonight north of the border. The Union entered this match on a two-game unbeaten run, and they were looking to capitalize on some of the positives. Toronto was unbeaten in six after opening the campaign with back-to-back losses. For a talented team in good form, and with Walker Zimmerman returning to the lineup, Toronto was favored for this midweek clash.

First Half

A scrappy first half, which saw two yellows dealt to Toronto FC players in the first 17 minutes, tilted toward the Union. Their movement and interplay caused serious problems for Toronto, and Philadelphia had the better part of possession and chances for the first 20 minutes. Westfield took two free kicks from dangerous areas, and came close to scoring both times. The Union used width in attack and clogged up the middle in defense. But Toronto grew into the game, and started to create chances for themselves in the second part of the half, where it was all hands on deck–Harriel saved a sure goal off the line in the 36th minute, and Sery Larsen’s perfectly timed block deflected an on-target Josh Sargent shot, keeping the clean sheet.

Despite no goals for either side, it was a good contest, with a lot of back and forth. In the final minutes of first half stoppage time, Lukic released a sprinting Milan Iloski through the center, who cut through three defenders and took his goal confidently. It was the kind of play the Union is famous for, and it came off perfectly. Despite the goal advantage, the Union couldn’t go confidently into the dressing room because Toronto did not let up, getting two dangerous looks on goal before the half. But they held on, and the Union led, 0-1.

Second Half

The scrappy, choppy play continued, but Union pressure kept the ball in the the Reds’ half. In the 52nd minute, Danley Jean Jacques pounced onto a pass in the Reds’ box. His goal was emphatic, ricocheting off his shin and into the goal, putting the Union up 0-2.

But Toronto refused to be cowed by the scoreline, and they began to find pockets of space in the midfield and willing runners on the wings. Only four minutes later, Josh Sargent strode into the box and fired to Blake’s left, putting the score at 1-2.

Jean Jacques continued to disrupt and force errors for the Union, but it was the Reds’ Kobe Franklin who would get the equalizer in the 64th minute after some intricate passing and movement. 2-2.

The Union continued to press, and Toronto continued to pass through the middle once they had broken the high press. But it was the Union who went ahead in the 89th minute. Pressure forced the Reds to concede a corner. Jose Bueno sent his kick to the near post, Bedoya flicked it on and Harriel headed it home to put Philadelphia ahead. 2-3

In the sixth minute of five minutes of stoppage time, Toronto sent their goalkeeper Luca Gavran forward for a free kick. As the cross flashed across the six-yard box, Gavran rose above the crowd and nodded it home. 3-3. It was the last kick of the game.

3 Points

• Leaky midfield: The back line showed some poise, with Makhanya showing coolness under pressure early on.  Sery Larsen looked strong in defense, too. But too often, when Toronto got through the high press they found pockets of space from which to attack, exposing the back line.
• Forwards: Bruno Damiani had only one shot on target all night, and Alladoh, subbed in late in the game, made little impact. Danley Jean Jacques had an excellent game, as did Milan Iloski. Lukic’s inch-perfect pass for the first goal was beautiful.
• Balance in the Press: The high press is adept at forcing Union opposition into turnovers and errors, but it leaves midfielders and forwards high up the pitch whenever opposition breaks through, overloading the back line.

Lineups

Philadelphia Union continues its road trip on Saturday night with a matchup against the Columbus Crew. Kickoff from Ohio is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on April 25th.