Philadelphia Union fails to crack Toronto’s code once more, lose 2-0 at home

Friday night’s matchup at Talen Energy Stadium against Toronto FC presented Philadelphia Union with a golden opportunity to beat a struggling team ahead of a much-needed international break. Instead, Philadelphia came out flat, never caught up to the pace of the game, and lost 2-0.

Ilsinho looks on in anguish as the Union lose to Toronto 2-0

FIRST HALF

Too much space and too much time will break a back line down every time.

That’s exactly what Toronto FC’s midfielders found throughout the majority of the match’s first 45 minutes. The press Philadelphia displayed was much too sloppy. At times, the pockets of space Toronto found made it seem like Union players were simply chasing shadows rather than establishing pressure.

Perhaps it was the absence of Haris Medunjanin and Alejandro Bedoya. Or maybe it was the reemergence of Ilsinho in the middle of the park. It also could have been that Jim Curtin went a little bit to attack heavy with that decision – leaving Derrick Jones on the bench.

Whatever the issue was Friday night, it proved to be headache causing.

Only a few scoring chances were created early on. One chance should’ve granted Philadelphia an early 1-0 lead. In the 13th minute, Warren Creavalle jumped on a loose ball and ripped a beautiful through ball forward for a streaking Fafa Picault. Picault was all alone on a breakaway chance. He took two heavy touches and on his third, he attempted to slide it past the oncoming Alex Bono. Bono, who recently earned his first international call-up with USMNT, rushed forward to snuff Picault’s chance on goal.

Toronto FC’s first half goal occurred following a spell of possession that left Philadelphia’s back line in shreds. Unable to move up and alleviate pressure on the back line following a weak clearance, Philadelphia’s midfield trio was sluggish regaining their shape as well. The lack of urgency created a perfect pocket of space for Vazquez to step into. He received a pass from Michael Bradley, quickly turned, and found Jonathan Osorio wedged between Mark McKenzie and Keegan Rosenberry. McKenzie dove in an attempt to block that pass which left Rosenberry a step behind Osorio. Osorio ran onto the ball and rifled a right footed shot past the rapidly approaching Andre Blake for the goal.

Philadelphia tried to equalize the score, but ultimately failed several times to connect on crosses into Toronto’s box.

The final 10-15 minutes of the first half provided Philadelphia fans with some more appealing soccer. Passes connected more often and the off-ball movement resembled a pattern – as opposed to the disorganized approach which Philadelphia started with.

After the half-hour mark, possession statistics revealed an even-sided affair with both clubs totaling 50%. But Toronto maneuvered around the pitch with much more purpose than Philadelphia. The front four for Philadelphia did well at times. Epps proved to be a handful while Picault utilized his speed on multiple occasions to gain space in the attack. Sapong, however, left observers wanting more heading into the locker room. He did well challenging for 50/50 aerial balls around the midfield level, yet in the final third, he was seldom heard from.

SECOND HALF

The second half featured no changes to either teams’ lineups.

Toronto remained compact defensively. Whenever Philadelphia entered their final third, their 3-5-2 formation created an abundance of defenders around the top of the box which forced Philadelphia’s attack to the sidelines. Both wingers proved effective at making the first man miss but at times, they were left too isolated on the wings.

A spat between Gaddis and Toronto’s superstar Sebastian Giovinco around the 54th minute seemed to inject some life into both Philadelphia and their fans. Giovinco, upset following an accidental hand to the face from Gaddis, cynically cut Gaddis down from behind in frustration.

Moments later, Epps drew a foul in Philadelphia’s own half. The free kick was taken quickly. Dockal received the pass off the restart and swiftly hit the ball back toward the right-wing for Epps. Epps moved forward with speed. He entered Toronto’s box before chipping a cross back towards the top of the box. Picault pinched centrally to receive the ball before taking a touch to his right. Picault then blasted a right footed curler that rocketed off the cross-bar.

Philadelphia fans let out an agonizing groan as their team were only inches from equalizing.

A 60th minute substitution from Toronto saw Jay Chapman leave the field. Chapman left his 50th career MLS match early thanks to a 37th minute yellow card. That change was followed by a 61st minute sub from Curtin. Jamaican forward Cory Burke entered for Sapong, much to pleasure of Philadelphia fans.

Eight minutes later, Curtin made another change. Derrick Jones entered for Epps which resulted in a minor formation change. Ilsinho moved to a wider position while Dockal slid up into a more attacking position.

Curtin’s third and final substitution alleviated Ilsinho of his duties in the 74th minute. The Brazilian was swapped for David Accam, and the substitution was a sigh of relief. Ilsinho possesses great talent, this is known. However, he significantly lacks the clinical abilities to properly fulfill the #10 role. Those inadequacies were exposed by Toronto.

Philadelphia continued to press forward in search of the tying goal. But their increased pressure wasn’t the reason Toronto knocked home their second goal.

Instead, a costly mental error from Rosenberry gifted Toronto with their insurance goal. In the 79th minute, Philadelphia had a throw-in opportunity in their own half. In what will remain a baffling decision, Rosenberry attempted a risky throw which Giovinco smartly intercepted. He threaded a pass to Osorio who slotted home an easy goal.

That turn of events summed up Philadelphia’s night precisely: a confused performance.

Noteworthy Observations:

Ilsinho: While he routinely displays an immense array of offensive skills, his inability to man the #10 role remains a glaring weakness. His performance tonight was exciting at times while at others, his mistakes proved stress inducing. In need of a quality performance from all 11 players tonight, Philadelphia lacked the clinical skills needed at the #10 position tonight.

Keegan Rosenberry: To start, Rosenberry played a very respectable 78 minutes of soccer tonight. His decision to throw that errant pass toward Giovinco will remain on the right back’s mind for a few days, no doubt. His blunder was a bit unexpected, considering his stout defending throughout much of the season so far.

Fafa Picault: His speed was deadly. His touches effective. But the final touch needed to beat Alex Bono tonight was missing. At home especially, Philadelphia must capitalize on their offensive chances. Picault had at least two opportunities for a goal tonight but incredible goal keeping from the one time Reading United AC keeper was back-breaking for Philadelphia fans to witness.

PHILADELPHIA UNION STARTING XI:

Andre Blake, Ray Gaddis, Auston Trusty, Mark McKenzie, Keegan Rosenberry, Borek Dockal, Warren Creavalle, Fafa Picault, Ilsinho (74’ David Accam), Marcus Epps (69’ Derrick Jones), CJ Sapong (61’ Cory Burke)

Substitutes: John McCarthy, Jack Elliot, Fabinho, Anthony Fontana, Derrick Jones

TORONTO FC STARTING XI:

Alex Bono, Nick Hagglund, Jason Hernandez, Gregory van der Wiel, Nicolas Hasler (81’ Tosaint Ricketts), Michael Bradley, Auro, Jonathan Osorio, Jay Chapman (60’ Ryan Telfer), Victor Vazquez (70’ Ager Aketxe), Sebastian Giovinco

Subsitutes: Clint Irwin, Eriq Zavaleta, Liam Fraser, Mariano Miño, Ryan Telfer