Union walk away with a draw against Toronto

The Philadelphia Union fell just short Saturday evening in a 2-2 draw against Toronto FC. In a contentious game, where penalties were given to both sides, its the home team that will walk away disappointed. Toronto’s goals came off of a questionable penalty call, and a sly free kick that caught the Union off-guard. The Union had a questionable penalty of its own, but Alejandro Bedoya failed to convert from the spot, rattling the crossbar. But both Union goals came from good bits of play. A header across the net from Pontius, setting up Jay Simpson’s first MLS goal, and a lovely weighted through ball by Fabian Herbers, setting up CJ Sapong, who rounded the keeper and tapped into the empty net.

The Union controlled the pace of the game, especially in the first 15 minutes, where Toronto couldn’t get a touch on the ball. It culminated in the 11th minute goal by Simpson, who had to come off shortly later. The Union are reporting that Simpson has an injured rib, hopefully it isn’t broken and Simpson will be back shortly.

It was in the 32nd minute that referee Mark Geiger gave the first penalty call. It was judged that Fabian Herbers was dragged back in the box by Nick Hagglund. Bedoya stepped up to take the penalty but failed to find the back of the net. Then in the 44th minute Geiger made the second penalty call. He decided that youngster Derrick Jones pulled Jozy Altidore down in the box, in a play where contact was questionable, and away from the play. Coach Curtin mentioned during the press conference that the MLS is making a concerted effort to call penalties for shirt holding and other dubious contact in the goal box.

Nevertheless Altidore stepped up and put the ball in the back of the net to tie the score just before halftime. Just before the penalty, TFC star Sebastian Giovinco had to come off the field after picking up a knock after he was clattered by Oguchi Onyewu. The freezing temperatures certainly contributed to the injury, and Giovinco likely picked up his injury through both contact and landing awkwardly. Fans across the MLS will hope to see him back and healthy soon.

Going into half the Union were the dominant team, controlling possession and the flow. The Union won most 50/50’s and loose balls, and should be going into the half with a comfortable 2-0 lead, instead, the score is tied 1-1 and Toronto had some momentum despite losing Giovinco.

Blake once again came off his line well, putting his body in harms way to collect what would have been a sure goal. Toisant Ricketts rushed onto Jozy Altidore’s cross and instead of connecting with the ball had his foot meet Blake’s head. Blake returned to action, thankfully.

Toronto took the lead in the 71st minute from a free kick near half. Michael Bradley took it quickly, catching the Union backline off guard. Justin Morrow pounced on the pass, controlling the ball with plenty of time to slot the ball underneath Blake.

The Union equalized 5 minutes later after a great exchange between Fabian Herbers and CJ Sapong. Sapong snuck behind the Toronto backline, and picked up Herbers through-ball with time to round Irwin in net and tap the ball into the net.

Thats how the game ended, at the final whistle Union player heads dropped and hands went to knees, as the players knew it was 2 points lost.

Thoughts:

Haris Medunjanin looks so perfectly suited for his midfield role alongside Derrick Jones. His control and vision will make him indispensable for the Union.

Bedoya has gotten the better of Bradley for most of the game, an opponent Barnetta struggled against. Bedoya knows his USMNT teammate well, and did well to expose him.

 

Another dazzling performance from Jones who continues to establish himself as a surefire starter for the Union. He is starting to turn heads around the league and rightly so.

Much of the talk from this game will be focused on Geiger, especially with 2 questionable penalties. But credit should be given, that Geiger settled in the second half and managed the play much better than in the first.

Lineups:

Philadelphia Union

Andre Blake (18)

Keegan Rosenberry (12), Oguchi Onyewu (5), Richie Marquez (16), Fabinho (33)

Harris Medunjanin (6), Derrick Jones (21)

Fabian Herbers (14), Alejandro Bedoya (11), Chris Pontius (13)

Jay Simpson (27)

Toronto FC

Jozy Altidore (17), Sebastian Giovinco (10)

Justin Morrow (2), Victor Vazquez (7), Armando Cooper (31), Tsubasa Endoh (9)

Michael Bradley (4)

Nick Hagglund (6), Drew Moor (3), Eriq Zavaleta (15)

Clint Irwin (1)

Stats:

Goal PHL: Simpson 11’

Goal TOR: Altidore 45’+2′

Goal TOR: Morrow 71′

Goal PHL: Sapong 73′

Sub PHL: Sapong for Simpson 29’

Yellow TOR: Zavaleta 52’

Yellow PHL: Fabinho 53’

Sub TOR: Osorio for Cooper 78’

Sub PHL: Picault for Herbers 78’

Sub TOR: Mavinga for Endoh 85’

Sub PHL: Alberg for Pontius 89’