Philadelphia Union fail to grab home opener win, fall 3-1 to Toronto FC

Michael Bradley netted a brace and controlled the midfield for Toronto FC as Philadelphia Union drop home opener 3-1 at Talen Energy Stadium Saturday afternoon.

Michael Bradley (Toronto FC number four) celebrates after scoring his second goal of the day.

FIRST HALF

Expectations were high as Saturday’s home opener approached this past week. However, fans left Chester disappointed after Toronto FC defeated Philadelphia 3-1.

“It became a match where we weren’t good enough in both boxes. It’s one game. One game won’t define us for the entire season. Overall, we’re really disappointed with not getting the result,” said Head Coach Jim Curtin.

The match was primed for a great beginning to Philadelphia’s historic 10th anniversary season. New players like Marco Fabian and Kai Wagner earned starting spots. The fresh white kits displayed a renewed sense of style for Philadelphia. But ultimately, the tactical shifts implemented throughout pre-season failed them Saturday.

Numerous chances were created early on by both sides. A Jack Elliot corner kick found the head of Alejandro Bedoya but the ball glanced off the post instead of the back netting. Toronto threatened early by navigating along the wide areas of the pitch to gain advantageous positioning in the final third.

Philadelphia created four corner kick opportunities in the first 25 minutes of play. But no goal was produced.

The match shifted drastically around the half-hour mark. Toronto FC’s Nick DeLeon was found unmarked in the box and connected a header to a dangerous cross. Philadelphia’s prized possession, Andre Blake, was there for an excellent diving stop but his rebound was left in play. The rebound attempt was cancelled out by a sliding Wagner but the ball glanced off his hand in the process. A penalty was awarded. However, Blake stunned the crowd ad Jonathan Osorio’s effort was saved by the Jamaican.

Philadelphia then scrambled a bit to get back into the game. Pace picked up dramatically and the ball ping-ponged back and forth between the two sides.

Ilsinho dazzled in the 40th minute after he side-stepped Bradley before releasing a right-footed rocket. Toronto keeper and PA native Alex Bono was up to the task and deflected the shot out behind for a corner. But like all other corners in the first half, no goals or a chance were an outcome.

Three minutes later, Haris Medunjanin pulled some strings from a deep midfield position. Wagner forced a turnover and Medunjanin collected the loose ball before releasing Fafa up the left wing. But again, no goal came of the quick transition.

Heartbreak occurred in stoppage time of the first half though. Toronto’s Bradley maneuvered himself into perfect position in front of goal where DeLeon found him for an easy goal. Bradley made a late run into the box and no Union players were aware leaving him all alone.

SECOND HALF

As the second half began, fans grew antsy. They knew a quick goal was needed to help turn the tides of the match. But that didn’t come.

Five minutes into the second half, Philadelphia created a golden opportunity to tie things up. Ilsinho navigated inside the box before letting a shot off. His shot was headed wide but Fafa was there on the back post for what looked to be an easy tap in goal. Fafa whiffed and the ball dribbled wide.

That sequence really told the story for Philadelphia Saturday as the match went downhill after the hour mark.

In the 63rd minute, Toronto capitalized on a poor clearance from Philadelphia’s backline. Blake made an incredible save on the first shot attempt following the failed clearance. Unfortunately for Blake, he failed to parry the attempt away from net and a rebound was left at the feet of Bradley who buried it home.

Philadelphia scored one for themselves in the 72nd minute when Fabian stepped up for a penalty kick goal. A hand ball by Toronto inside the box forced the head ref to whistle and point to the penalty spot.

But it was too little too late. David Accam entered following the goal in hopes of adding ever more offense after Sergio Santos entered for Ray Gaddis. But again, to no avail.

In fact, the match ended in depressing fashion. During the fourth minute of stoppage time, Toronto scored yet again. The third goal left fans no choice but to let the boo birds fly.

The first match of the Ernst Tanner and Marco Fabian era ended in disappointing fashion.

NOTEWROTHY NOTES

– Haris Medunjanin: As expected, Medunjanin displayed great poise and creativity on the ball. But, also as expected, Medunjanin was exposed defensively at times Saturday. Particularly inside the box, Medunjanin failed to remain alert. With the new formation and style of play, the space behind Medunjanin and above the backline will be a dangerous area for Philadelphia to protect this season.

– Marco Fabian: You can’t expect one player to takeover a team on game one. But Fabian did create the penalty kick opportunity and slotted home the goal. He was on the ball for large chunks of the game and strung meaningful passes together. However, offense in the final third faltered heavily. Look for Fabian to continue to improve in the final third as the season progresses.

– Defense in the box: Too many times, several Union players were caught ball watching in their own box. When that happens, smart players like Bradley will navigate in behind those defenders standing still to create chances. On Bradley’s first goal, Medunjanin stayed at the top of the box instead of helping track Bradley. On Bradley’s second goal, five Union players stood watching while Bradley nailed home the rebound effort.

Philadelphia Union starting XI:

Andre Blake, Ray Gaddis (68’ Sergio Santos), Auston Trusty, Jack Elliot, Kai Wagner, Marco Fabian, Alejandro Bedoya, Ilsinho (74’ David Accam), Haris Medunjanin, Cory Burke, Fafa Picault

Substitutes: Carlos, Brenden Aaronson, Warren Creavalle, Mark McKenzie, Olivier Mbaizo

Toronto FC starting XI:

Alex Bono, Chris Mavinga, Auro, Laurent Ciman, Drew Moor, Justin Morrow, Nick DeLeon (90+5’ Jay Chapman), Michael Bradley [C], Marco Delgado, Jonathan Osorio, Jordan Hamilton (73’ Terrence Boyd)

Substitutes: Ahstone Morgan, Ayo Akinola, Eriq Zavaleta, Liam Fraser, Quentin Westberg

GOALS / ASSISTS

45+3’ TOR Michael Bradley (Auro, Nick DeLeon)

62’ TOR Michael Bradley (x2)

73’ PHI Marco Fabian (PK)

90+4’ TOR Nick DeLeon (Jonathan Osorio)

YELLOW / RED CARDS

30’ PHI Fafa Picault (YELLOW CARD) – Unsporting Behavior

54’ TOR Michael Bradley (YELLOW CARD) – Unsporting Behavior

81’ PHI Sergio Santos (YELLOW CARD) – Unsporting Behavior

83’ TOR Jonathan Osorio (YELLOW CARD) – Unsporting Behavior