The Philadelphia Union jumped Toronto FC for first place in the MLS Eastern Conference and Supporters’ Shield standings on Saturday night, with an inspired 5-0 victory at Subaru Park.
The Union were boosted by a hat trick from Sergio Santos, as well as the return of Jose Martinez from the Venezuelan National Team.
Jamiro Monteiro and Mark McKenzie added to the scoresheet, with Montiero clipping the crossbar with a curling effort from the edge of the box and McKenzie finishing off a training group routine off of a corner kick.
Toronto looked like a shell of the team that had boasted a best-in-MLS set of results.
The team was certainly affected by the series of injuries that have racked up, including to Jozy Altidore, Ayo Akinola, Jonathan Osorio and Chris Mavinga.
On the attacking side, missing Altidore and Akinola meant that Toronto lined up without a clear striker, with Pozuelo checking in as a false nine at times.
As a result, Toronto created zero chances, and only amassed 3 shots with one on target.
The entire TFC attack was disjointed, and the Philly defense smothered them for almost the entire match.
It was the second game in a row that the Union were able to play with a full-strength defense, after dealing with long stretches without starting fullbacks Kai Wagner and Raymon Gaddis.
It was so dominant that Toronto coach Greg Vanney was forced to make an early change, subbing Patrick Mullins on for Erickson Gallardo, who started just his second match of the year and did not impress.
On the other side of the pitch, Toronto appeared to miss the defensive assets brought by Chris Mavinga, with the 35-year-old Laurent Ciman not providing the defensive cover and pace that was needed, as the Union continuously got behind the Toronto defense.
The onslaught from Philly came with 27 shots, 12 on target, seven chances created, 11 corner kicks, and an astonishing 88 percent of aerial duels won.
In the end it wasn’t even a contest. MVP candidate Alejandro Pozuelo was a non-factor, and USMNT regular Michael Bradley’s return from injury was one he will hope to forget.
