Union Drops Match With Toronto FC, 3-1

Report From Philadelphia Union 

CHESTER, Pa. – Philadelphia Union fell to Toronto FC 3-1 on Saturday night in front of a crowd of 18,271 at Talen Energy Stadium. The loss drops the Union to a record of 9-9-7 on the season. Philadelphia is back in action this Wednesday when they travel to Columbus to take on Crew SC. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and will be televised on Comcast Network.

 

Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Andre Blake was able to fend off MLS league-leading goal-scorer Sebastian Giovinco in dramatic fashion in the 13th minute of action. The reigning MLS MVP took a free-kick that sent Blake diving to his right to turn away the attempt.

 

Giovinco ultimately earned his goal after a perfect setup from teammate Marco Delgado. After receiving a ball from Jozy Altidore, Delgado sent a ball across the field the found the streaking Giovinco who struck with his left foot. The shot rolled past the outstretched arms of Blake and hit the post and flirted with the goal line before finding the back of the net.

 

The Union were able to earn the equalizer six minutes later thanks to a phenomenal effort from defender Ken Tribbett. Tranquillo Barnetta delivered an excellent free-kick into the box that found the head of a diving Tribbett. The shot bounced off the hand of TFC goalkeeper Alex Bono and into the back of the net to tie the match at one.

 

Toronto FC was able to recapture the lead in the 30th minute thanks to a headed effort from Drew Moor in the box. Michael Bradley sent in a free-kick that found the head of Moor who found a pocket of space in the box and beat Blake to give TFC the 2-1 lead.

 

Toronto was able to extend their lead to 3-1 in the dying minutes of the first half. Altidore fought his way through the Union defense and put a shot off the post and in. Despite a diving effort from Alejandro Bedoya to block the shot, Altidore extended the TFC lead in the 44th minute.

 

Despite several attempts to cut the Toronto lead, the Union fell short in their comeback effort. Philadelphia will look to bounce back this week when they travel to Columbus to take on Crew SC. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and will be televised on The Comcast Network.

 

 

MATCH RECAP

Toronto FC 3, Philadelphia Union 1

Talen Energy Stadium

Chester, Pa.

 

FINAL MATCH STATS

Shots: 12-8 Union

Shots on Target: 5-5

Possession: 53.8-46.2 Union

Passing Accuracy: 82-78 Union

Fouls: 17-11 Union

Corners: 8-5 Union

Duels won: 40-29 Toronto

Tackles won: 9-2 Toronto

 

SCORING SUMMARY

TOR – Sebastian Giovinco (Marky Delgado) 18’

PHI – Ken Tribbett (Tranquillo Barnetta) 24’

TOR – Drew Moor (Michael Bradley) 30’

TOR – Jozy Altidore (Will Johnson) 44’

 

DISCIPLINE SUMMARY

TOR – Drew Moor (yellow) 40’

TOR – Justin Morrow (yellow) 42’

TOR – Will Johnson (yellow) 45’

TOR – Michael Bradley (yellow) 58’

PHI – Tranquillo Barnetta (yellow) 67’

PHI – Josh Yaro (yellow) 73’

 

PHILADELPHIA UNION STARTING XI

Andre Blake; Fabinho, Richie Marquez, Ken Tribbett (Josh Yaro HT), Keegan Rosenberry; Warren Creavalle (Roland Alberg 62’), Alejandro Bedoya; Chris Pontius, Tranquillo Barnetta ©, Ilsinho (Fabian Herbers 74’); C.J. Sapong.

 

Substitutes not used: John McCarthy, Ray Gaddis, Walter Restrepo, Charlie Davies.

 

TORONTO FC STARTING XI

Alex Bono; Justin Morrow, Drew Moor, Eriq Zavaleta Steven Beitashour; Marky Delgado, Michael Bradley ©, Will Johnson (Nick Hagglund 71’), Jonathan Osorio; Sebastian Giovinco (Jay Chapman 81’), Jozy Altidore (Tosaint Ricketts 74’).

 

Substitutes not used: Quillan Roberts, Josh Williams, Tsubasa Endoh, Dan Lovitz.

 

OFFICIALS

Mark Geiger (referee), Claudiu Badea (assistant), Kevin Klinger (assistant), Rubiel Vazquez (fourth)

 

ATTENDANCE

18,271

 

TEAM NOTES

• The Union fell to 9-9-7 on the year and are now 7-3-3 at Talen Energy Stadium in 2016.
• The Union completed 83.8 percent of their passes in the first half, the second highest total all year (84.6 percent against Columbus on June 1).
• Keegan Rosenberry logged another 90 minutes, doing so for the 25th consecutive game in league play.
• He’s only one of two players in all of MLS to play every single minute for his club.
• Fabian Herbers made his 23rd league appearance for the Union this year after subbing on in the 74th minute for Ilsinho.
• Fellow rookie Josh Yaro made his 12th league appearance.
• Chris Pontius led the team with four shots and two on target.