Section 215
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Philadelphia Union Entertain Toronto F.C. in Home Opener

By Larry Henry

Mar 5, 2017; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Philadelphia Union midfielder Chris Pontius (13) controls the ball against Vancouver Whitecaps defender Sheanon Williams (25) during the second half at BC Place. The score was 0-0. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2017; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Philadelphia Union midfielder Chris Pontius (13) controls the ball against Vancouver Whitecaps defender Sheanon Williams (25) during the second half at BC Place. The score was 0-0. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Philadelphia Union will look for their first victory of 2017 as they welcome defending MLS Eastern Conference champions, Toronto F.C. to Talen Energy Stadium on Saturday.

The Ins and Outs

Toronto F.C. (0-1-0) vs. Philadelphia Union (0-1-0)

When: Saturday at 4:30 Eastern Time – Talen Energy Stadium (Chester, PA)

Where to watch: CSN, MLS Live (U.S.), TSN (Canada).

PRO Referees: Mark Geiger, Logan Brown (AR1), Oscar Mitchell-Carvalho (AR2), Jose Carlos Rivero (AR4).

Coaches: Jim Curtin (Philadelphia Union) – Greg Vanney (Toronto).

Time for Revenge: 

After being eliminated in the opening round of the 2016 Eastern Conference playoffs by Toronto F.C., revenge will surely be on the minds of the Union players heading into Saturday’s match. Toronto went on to fall at home against Seattle in the MLS Cup, while the Union got an early start to their off-season.

Both teams started off the new campaign with scoreless draws on the road. The Union looked the better side in a 0-0 draw at Vancouver last Sunday, while Toronto were held at Real Salt Lake a day prior. In three meetings last season, Toronto held the edge with a 2-1-0 record, including that playoff victory. Talen Energy Stadium surely will be rockin’ as the ‘boys in blue’ return home.

Bedoya vs Giovinco

Both Alejandro Bedoya and Sebastian Giovinco are important to their respective teams for different reasons, and should be expected to lead their sides on Saturday. Bedoya looks to become more of a creative threat in Jim Curtin’s team and played a very influential role in Vancouver on Sunday. The 29-year-old U.S. international will be counted on as a leader for this team, and will be followed heavily by Toronto defenders on Saturday.

As for Giovinco, the 30-year-old Italian is coming off stellar back-to-back campaigns in MLS and will surely look to carry his team to the next level. Paired with U.S. internationals Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore, Giovinco definitely has top-talent around him for Toronto to be successful. After 43 league goals in this first two MLS seasons, the forward saw his penalty-kick effort saved in their 0-0 draw at Real Salt Lake last Saturday. I expect the Union defense to be on high-alert on Saturday looking to frustrate the forward from opening kick.

Possible lineups:

For the second week in-a-row, Joshua Yaro seems to be the only Union player that will likely miss Saturday’s match. The defender has shoulder surgery in the off-season. We could see Maurice Edu start on the bench for Jim Curtin’s side after also missing last weekend’s opener in Vancouver.

Keys To Victory:

  • Defend in Numbers vs. Giovinco – The Toronto striker is one of the best forwards in the league, if not the best. The Union have to very careful when playing out of the back, to not force any mistakes against this dangerous attacker. Toronto will get their opportunities on-goal, but the Union need to make sure not to allow extra chances by their opponents. Jozy Altidore’s aerial threat also poses a challenge for the back-line, so look for that to also be focused on by Jim Curtin and his staff.
  • Shoot, shoot, and SHOOT! – For the Union to finally net their first goal of the season, they need to take chances offensively. Real Salt Lake created chance after chance a week ago against Toronto, so the Union need to take chances as well. They need to not look for the perfect goal and let efforts rip from anywhere to force some pressure on Toronto defensively. Alejandro Bedoya and Chris Pontius will be relied on to breakthrough Toronto’s back-line and create opportunities either through themselves or for teammates.

    • Frustrate Toronto constantly

    – The Union need to pressure Toronto for the entire match to get under their skin. They need to pressure the ball at all times, to force turnovers and cause mental lapses. With Giovinco,

    Richie Marquez

    and

    Oguchi Onyewu

    need to be physical and leave some tackles on the forward to let him know they are on him. The more physicality the Union bring as a whole, the more likely they can break down Toronto offensively. They cannot afford to be over-aggressive, but they need to be smart with their challenges and pressure.

    Next: Philadelphia Union: Season Opens With a Draw

    This won’t be easy for the Union, hosting one of the league’s top sides. After a draining 0-0 draw last weekend, I expect the Union to come out with even more energy this time out at home. If they can keep Toronto off the scoreboard, then they have the talent to get a 1-0 or 2-0 victory. Offensively, they need to be more clinical while defensively they need to be smart and play together.

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