Section 215
Fansided

Philadelphia Union Share the Points in Toronto

By Chuck Booth

Sep 24, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Philadelphia Union midfielder Fabian Herbers (14) celebrates his first half goal with a teammate against Toronto FC at BMO Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Philadelphia Union midfielder Fabian Herbers (14) celebrates his first half goal with a teammate against Toronto FC at BMO Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Philadelphia Union went to BMO field to take on Toronto FC and left with a point in a back and forth match.

When the team sheets were revealed the two things to catch the eye of Philadelphia Union fans were that Giovinco was not fit enough to feature in the match and that Tranquillo Barnetta would be replaced in the lineup by Alejandro Bedoya. The lineup for the union would be Sapong, Pontious, Bedoya, Herbers, Crevalle, Carroll, Fabinho, Marquez, Tribbett, Rosenberry, and Blake.

With Joshua Yaro suspended, this would prove to be a redemption game for Ken Tribbett as the Philadelphia Union looked to shut down one of the hottest strikers in all of Major League Soccer, Jozy Altidore.

The Union started off the game by immediately pressuring Toronto with a missed attempt by CJ Sapong in the second minute. That attempt would prove to set the tone for the first half as the Philadelphia Union had beautiful build up play led by the wide attack from the fullbacks, herbers, and some nifty play in the middle from Alejandro Bedoya.

Thanks to some early game heroics by Clint Irwin, the Philadelphia Union were kept off the scoresheet early but Bedoya would not be denied. In the 25th minute, Bedoya put the Union ahead with a beautiful chip shot that had Irwin looking lost. The shot was assisted by Fabian Herbers who notched his seventh assist on the year.

It could be the goal of the season and it was beautiful. What a way for Bedyoa to open his scoring account for the Philadelphia Union!

The Union would continue to keep the tempo up in the first half both locking down the Toronto attack while also peppering their goal. The combination of Carroll and Crevalle looked rejuvenated in the center of the pitch after some less than stellar showings during the year but thanks to a huge Irwin save on Herbers the Union only went into the half up one.

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At the half, the Philadelphia Union had out-shot Toronto six to zero which is a huge shift from the last time that these two teams matched up and Giovinco ripped the Union backline apart.

In the second half, the script flipped, however. Toronto looked crisper on the ball and once they got Jonathan Osorio out of the game the attack began to click. The Union looked content to sit back and absorb pressure while Toronto used the extra space to their advantage in order to set up attacks.

The warning signs were there but Jim Curtin failed to make a change before it was too late. In the 70th minute, Justin Morrow scored the equalizer for Toronto slotting it past a sliding Ken Tribbett for a near-post finish. While Tribitt was the final person beaten for the goal, the blame has to go to Brian Carroll who until that point was having an outstanding game. Carroll didn’t properly close down Morrow allowing him to slip into Tribbett’s territory unmarked.

In the 87th minute, the city of Philadelphia held its breath as Jozy Altidore shot, hit the post, collected his rebound, then shot over the bar. Outside of that, it was clear that Philadelphia was clear playing for the point while Toronto wanted to fire every chance they got into the box.

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There was a controversial end to the game as a foul was called on Jozy Altidore for simulation in the box. He tried to act to get the free kick but the referee made a gutsy call in not calling the penalty kick preserving the tie for the Union.

Next up for the Philadelphia Union is a matchup with the New York Energy Drinks to close out this brutal road trip. It’ll be an important one for postseason seeding as the Philadelphia Union are currently three points behind New York with two games left against them.

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