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Writer's pictureDave Miller

REPORT | Toronto 2-1 Philadelphia Union

The Philadelphia Union's unbeaten start to the season ended at the hands of a clinical Toronto side at BMO Field.


Julian Carranza had put Philadelphia in front, but goals from Jesus Jimenez and Alejandro Pozuelo completed the turnaround for Toronto.

The game did not go without VAR controversy against the Union, as Jayden Nelson's dangerous tackle on Kai Wagner was not brought back for a VAR check. Wagner thought he had put the Union 2-1 up before half-time, but following a VAR check, it was believed that Union players in an offside position were obstructing the view of Alex Bono.


Jim Curtin named an unchanged starting XI following the 1-0 win over Columbus. Andre Blake was fit to play in goal after crashing shoulder first into the post in the previous game, while Mikael Uhre and Julian Carranza retained their places leading the line. Sergio Santos returned to the substitute's bench after missing the last game due to injury.


Toronto made three changes to the team that drew to Real Salt Lake. Carlos Salcedo missed out due to suspension, while Kosi Thompson and Lukas MacNaughton dropped to the bench. Chris Mavinga, Kadin Chung and Jayden Nelson started in their place.


Jack Elliott came close for the Union in the fourth minute. He managed to beat his marker from Kai Wagner's corner to latch onto the ball and shoot first time. However, his shot was always rising as it cleared the crossbar.


Blake was called into action in the 17th minute as he had to get down to push away Jayden Nelson's shot from 20 yards. The attempt had plenty of power on it, but the Jamaican international did well to get down to it and palm it away from the danger zone.


In the 34th minute, Carranza capped off a well-worked attack for the Union with a goal. Uhre made his way into the penalty area before laying it off to Daniel Gazdag. The Hungarian then quickly gave it back to Uhre, who dinked the ball towards the back post for Carranza to head home from close range and into an empty net.


It only took Toronto five minutes to level the score as Jesus Jimenez found the back of the net with a lovely curling strike. Toronto managed to win the ball from Jose Martinez, and it allowed them to break into the Union penalty area. Jonathan Osorio played it to Jimenez, who shot first time and curled it into the far corner giving Blake no chance of keeping the effort out.


The Union thought they had regained their lead through Kai Wagner moments later. A corner was headed as far as the left-back, who struck first-time on the half volley from 25 yards out. The effort had plenty of pace and power as it beat Alex Bono. However, after a conversation with VAR, the referee believed that the Union players in an offside position were obstructing Bono's view, and it was disallowed for offside.


HALF-TIME: Toronto 1-1 Philadelphia Union


Alejandro Pozuelo gave Toronto the lead in the 51st minute. The Spaniard managed to wiggle his way into the Union penalty area as he got beyond multiple players before finding the bottom corner with his shot.


Uhre did a great job creating a chance for himself on the hour mark. He used his pace to latch onto a 50/50 ball, which allowed him to get beyond the Toronto defender. However, the angle was a tight one when it came to shooting. He managed to get some space, but his effort was straight at Bono.


Moments later, Uhre came close again. Carranza played a good through ball to set the striker away, but his effort across the goal was saved by the foot of Bono.


Jack McGlynn came close with a little under 15 minutes from time. He received the ball on the D of the penalty area and tried to pick out the bottom corner. However, his effort went wide of the post.


FULL-TIME: Toronto 2-1 Philadelphia Union


Toronto: Bono, Chung (MacNaughton 79'), O'Neill, Mavinga, Shaffleburg, Bradley, Osorio (Thompson 56'), Nelson (Kerr 46'), Pozuelo, Petrasso (Perruzza 72'), Jimenez

Unused Substitutes: Westberg, Akinola, Pearlman, Antonoglou, Achara


Philadelphia Union: Blake, Harriel, Glesnes, Elliott, Wagner, Martinez, Bedoya (Aaronson 87'), Flach (McGlynn 69'), Gazdag, Uhre (Burke 77'), Carranza (Santos 68')

Unused Substitutes: Freese, Real, Mbaizo, Findlay, Sullivan

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