Toronto FC vs. Philadelphia Union | MLS Match Preview

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Toronto FC vs. Philadelphia Union, July 18, 2015

TORONTO FC vs. PHILADELPHIA UNION
BMO FIELD, Toronto
July 18, 2015 (MLS Game #195)
4 pm ET (TSN/MLS LIVE)

Two clubs in the thick of the chase for playoff positions in the Eastern Conference meet for a second time this season when Toronto FC play host to Philadelphia Union on Saturday afternoon at BMO Field. TFC sit in a tie for fourth place in the East, their winless run extended to three games last weekend in a wild 4-4 draw at New York City FC. Union sit a further two points back, just outside the top six playoff spots, after stretching their undefeated run to three games with a 3-0 win against the Portland Timbers last Saturday at PPL Park.


  • Sebastian Giovinco scored a hat trick – his third multiple-goal game in his first MLS season – but TFC had their winless run stretched to three games, conceding four goals for a second consecutive match in a 4-4 draw at New York City FC. Giovinco’s hat trick was tied for the third-fastest in MLS history, the three goals coming in a nine-minute span (34’, 40’, 43’); he also set up the fourth TFC goal.
  • Cristian Maidana assisted on all three goals as Union concluded a three-game homestand with two wins and a draw, following their 3-0 victory against the Portland Timbers 307323847" tabindex="0">on Saturday evening at PPL Park.
  • The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Sebastian Giovinco scored the game’s only goal in the 34th minute to give Toronto FC the victory, 307323848" tabindex="0">May 2 at PPL Park.
  • The first meeting was TFC’s first win in the series since May 26, 2012, when they won 1-0 at BMO Field. Union had won four of the seven meetings in between, with three draws, a three-game winning streak in the series snapped in the May 2 game.


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REFEREE: Jorge Gonzalez. AR1 (bench): James Conlee; AR2 (opposite): Kyle Atkins; 4th: Silviu Petrescu MLS Career: 119 games; FC/gm: 25.2; Y/gm: 3.3; R: 37; pens: 31


SUSPENDED: TOR: Chris Konopka (through July 19) … PHI: Maurice Edu (caution accumulation; through July 19)
WARNINGS:
SUSPENDED NEXT YELLOW CARD: TOR: Nick Hagglund, Collen Warner
SUSPENDED AFTER TWO YELLOW CARDS: TOR: Warren Creavalle … PHI: Vincent Nogueira, Sheanon Williams
DISABLED LIST: none
INTERNATIONAL ABSENCES: TOR: Michael Bradley (USA, CONCACAF Gold Cup) … PHI: Andre Blake (Jamaica, CONCACAF Gold Cup)


HEAD-TO-HEAD
ALL-TIME (13 meetings): Toronto FC 3 wins, 11 goals … Union 6 wins, 20 goals … Ties 4
AT TORONTO (6 meetings): Toronto FC 2 wins, 7 goals … Union 2 wins, 11 goals … Ties 2


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