Philadelphia Union vs Toronto FC Match Preview

With only four games remaining in the Regular Season, the Philadelphia Union need all the points they can get, to solidify a playoff spot.

The Ins and Outs

Philadelphia Union 11-11-8, 41 points vs Montreal Impact 13-8-8, 47 points

Saturday at 5 p.m., BMO Field

Pro Assigned Referees: REF: Ismail Elfath, AR1: Peter Manikowski, AR2: Phil Briere, 4TH: Silviu Petrescu.

Coaches: Jim Curtin, Philadelphia Union; Mauro Biello, Toronto FC.

Where to Watch: The Comcast Network, TSN2, MLS Live.

By The Goals: Philadelphia Union 49 goals for, 47 goals against; Toronto FC 44 goals for, 32 goals against.

Last Games: Philadelphia Union away at Portland Timbers, 2-1 loss; Toronto FC home vs New York Red Bulls, 3-3 loss.

Can Ken Tribbett redeem himself?

On Saturday afternoon, the Philadelphia Union will play Eastern Conference leading Toronto FC for the final time this season.

In the first match, the Union elected to start the taller Defender, in hopes that his physical play would slow down Toronto FC Striker Jozy Altidore. Ken Tribbett was given the starting nod over Center back Joshua Yaro. This move would be costly to the Union.

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Toronto’s first goal came when the 5’5″ Italian Superstar, Sebastian Giovinco received a long ball. He left Tribbett in his dust scoring with ease, banking off the post and in, inside the 18-yard box. Just one minute later, on an almost identical run, Giovinco received another ball, again leaving the defender behind and out of position. Giovinco would just miss.

Tribbett’s height did help him score the lone Union goal 6 minute’s later, but again he would be at fault for Toronto’s 2nd. On a free kick sent in by Toronto Midfielder, Michael Bradley, Tribbett lost his mark on Drew Moor, scoring on the diving header.

With 43 minutes left in the first half, Toronto would score their third and final goal of the match. Jozy Altidore muscled his way past, yup you guessed it, Ken Tribbett, and connected on his shot, as it banked off the post and in.

At the half, Yaro was subbed on for Tribbett.

So you may say why would Ken Tribbett need redemption, the Union will most definitely start Yaro right? They normally would, except Yaro received a red card in the last game vs Portland and is suspended for Saturday’s match.

Stopping Toronto’s Attack

Jozy Altidore is a physical player. He feeds off the physicality, the more you make contact with him, the more he feeds off of that. He wants you to make and continue the contact because then he will just power through you and rip his shots at will. Tribbett learned that the hard way.

So adjustments the Union will likely make would be to cause that initial contact, but then give him a little bit of space, while tightly marking everyone else around him. Forcing Altidore to try work around you, rather than through you.

As far as stopping Giovinco, even if you tightly mark him and have someone follow him the entire time on the pitch, he can still hurt you. One foul and he will be on the ball, taking a dangerous free kick.

Aside from the two runs Giovinco made, the Philadelphia Union were able to withstand his attack, but that also could have been Toronto taking their foot off the gas with a 3-1 lead.

What to Expect

Toronto needs just one point to clinch a playoff spot, while the Philadelphia Union need all the points they can get to make sure they make the playoffs. Expect another physical game.

Toronto has the Philadelphia Union’s number, though, Toronto has won the last four games against Philadelphia. Union’s last win came September 6, 2014, in a 2-0 road victory.

Next: FIFA 17 Player Ratings Released

C.J. Sapong desperately needs to turn his season around. He scores just his third goal since May, to go along with a late goal from Chris Pontius.

Two goals but the Union will have to play catch up the entire match. 2-2 draw.

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