By IVES GALARCEP
Same two teams, same outcome.
Just three days after beating Toronto FC at PPL Park, the Philadelphia Union traveled to Canada and pulled off the same trick again, shutting out TFC one more time on the way to a 2-0 victory at BMO Field.
Conor Casey and Andrew Wenger both scored header goals that exposed a lackluster Toronto FC defense on a day when the TFC attack wasn’t any better.
The win pushed the Union into third place in the East, three points clear of TFC, which is suddenly in jeopardy of slipping out of playoff position. TFC currently stand fifth in the East, ahead of the Columbus Crew only on goal difference, but the New York Red Bulls could leapfrog both teams into fifth place with a win vs. Sporting Kansas City tonight.
Casey opened the scoring against his former team in the eight minute when he headed home a perfect Sheanon Williams cross to make the score 1-0. The goal is Casey’s eighth of the season.
TFC looked likely to head into halftime down just a goal, but an unmarked Wenger added to the lead in the 44th minute when he headed home a headed pass from Williams.
Toronto FC had chances in the second half, but couldn’t break through, coming close in the 77th minute when Jackson headed one off the crossbar. Michael Bradley came close as well in the 89th minute when he followed up his own free kick with a rocket shot, only to have it blast off the goal frame.
With the win, the Union are 4-1 in their past five matches, and can put a stranglehold on a playoff spot with a win next week at home vs. the Red Bulls. Toronto FC must regroup as they attempt to snap a 1-0-4 slide heading into next week’s meeting with the Chicago Fire.
What did you think of the match? See the Union holding on to their playoff position? Think TFC are doomed to miss the playoffs yet again?
Share your thoughts below.
And let’s stop talking about the big move back to MLS for MB. He is withering on the vine
You’re not allowed to say anything bad about any member of the Bradley family on a soccer blog. The Bradleys are religious icons.
It was bad enough that Tim Liewicke has moved on,…but that buffoon of a GM had to go and gut the coaching staff? Wow!
The team and season are lost. TFC are headed down the toilet. Pity the fans in Toronto.
No.
The Toronto fans are haughty and deserve this.
This is what they get for being full of themselves when they joined the league.
WJS
I’d like to see proof of them being “haughty”
And let’s stop about the big move back to MLS for MB. He is withering on the vine
Plus one
Very good blog
greetings
TFC cannot even get it together even when the league bends over backwards and props them up
They are a complete joke
Best part is how their haughty fans were gonna show us all how it is done when they came in the league
Now they get to suffer every year
Perfect
+1 and a couple of LaBatts
I like this comment and someday I will produce a white paper on the topic. Canadian soccer is pathetic and we stupid Americans continue to give them more credit than we give ourselves because you know Americans don’t know soccer.
casey sure looks like a cop
Philly… Worst uniforms in the league, or in the world?
They’d be pretty good if it wasn’t for that baby-poo shade of brown.
Philly also have one of the best ever jerseys from MLS (2013 third kit).
http://footballfashion.org/wordpress/2013/03/03/philadelphia-union-2013-adidas-third-jersey/
Do you even Pumas UNAM bro?
sorry you are wrong, they are sharp and look good
Agreed. Nice uniforms. Del Griffin,….what are you smoking?
I disagree. I like the Philly uniforms.