When: 7:30 PM
Where: Subaru Park, Chester, PA
Listen:
Union: 97.5 the Fanatic
Toronto: TSN 1050 Toronto
Watch: Apple T.V. MLS Season Pass
The Philadelphia Union returns to Subaru Park after 3 road matches across all competitions going 0W-2D-1L. In those three matches, the Union traveled to Cincinnati, Guadalajara and Chicago. While their main focus has been on the Champions League and getting the win in the Quarterfinals against Atlas F.C. the Union have to shift their focus back to the MLS, even for the Champions League. The struggling Toronto F.C come to town tonight to kick off the two game homestand for the Union before their bye week. Getting a win today and carrying over confidence from their two previous matches could prove vital!
The Union have scored 4 goals in their previous three matches. Toronto is in the same boat, except they have draws in all 3 of their previous matches. The Union have not won an MLS match since their 1-0 win against Chicago back home at Subaru Park on March 12th.
It has been a rough road for Jim Curtin’s team, but you better believe is going to be looking for a win against his former mentor, Bob Bradely and his Toronto F.C. team. Jim Curtin this week spoke on his time with his former mentor.
“I was really fortunate early in my career that he took a chance on me, a kid from Villanova. He called me into preseason, and I was really fortunate to be around a really special group that Bob assembled in Chicago. He’s a guy that I look up to quite a bit, and I’ve learned so much from as a player and a coach.” Jim Curtin said speaking highly of his former mentor and coach.
New Jersey Native Bob Bradley has been dealing with the same issues that have plagued Jim Curtin’s Union and spoke a bit on how much the roster and depth comes into play down the line as the season progresses.
“The season starts, typically you play once a week, but then at a certain point there are midweek games and so your ability to deal with all that is challenging, it usually comes down to the depth and your roster.” Bob Bradley said about the season and where to go.
While the Union have had a rough go this season, Toronto has been extremely inconsistent. With 1W-6D-1L, Toronto has held 3 clean sheets this season, but has just been unable to find the game winning goal in 6 games.
“They’re a good team. They’re trying to balance the Champions League run with the league and that’s not easy. They’re a team that has had consistency: players that have been there, that know each other. They have a way of playing. They’re dangerous in the way they attack.” Bradley said speaking on the Union and the struggles of playing in more than just MLS League play.
“They’re a team that’s very aggressive, very high energy, they like to run him behind. You know you’re going to play 90 minutes with them, if you’re up or down, they’re going to put pressure on the whole game.” Toronto defender Lukas MacNaughton said about the Union.
These are two teams who are starving for a win and could use the 3 points badly. If the Julian Carranza can carry his confident play, the Union should be able to get going in the final third tonight. The final third has been their worst enemy and the Union themselves have made it that way, but it all starts at training. With a big bye week coming after these next games, the Union will have a chance to get some rest, regroup and get healthy.