September 24, 2016 MLS--Toronto FC vs Philadelphia Union (by Rocket Robin)

.......................... ...............

Toronto FC (all red, white names and numbers)

.................1 Clint Irwin
33 Steven Beitashour...6 Nick Hagglund...3 Drew Moor...2 Justin Morrow
8 Benoit Cheyrou...4 Michael Bradley (cpt)...7 Will Johnson...21 Jonathan Osorio
...........17 Jozy Altidore...22 Jordan Hamilton

Subs:...25 Alex Bono (gk)...9 Tsubasa Endoh (fwd)...11 Mo Babouli (fwd)...15 Eriq Zavaleta (fwd)
...18 Marky Delgado (mid)...19 Daniel Lovitz (fwd)...28 Mark Bloom (def)
team officials:...head coach Greg Vanney

Philadelphia Union (all white, navy names and numbers)

.................1 Andre Blake
12 Keegan Rosenberry...4 Jay Tribbett...16 Richard Marquez...33 Fabinho
14 Fabian Herbers...7 Brian Carroll...2 Warren Creavalle...11 Alejandro Bedoya...13 Chris Pontius
...................17 C.J. Sapong

Subs:...27 John McCarthy (gk)...6 Roland Albert (mid)...8 Maurice Edu (mid)...9 Charlie Davies (fwd)
...25 Ilsinho (mid)...26 Auston Trusty (def)...28 Raymon Gaddis (def)
team officials:...head coach Jim Curtin

Game officials:...referee Ismail Elfath...referee's assistants Peter Manikowski and Philippe Briere
...fourth official Sylviu Petrescu...(yellow shirts, black shorts and socks)

1st Half:...game starts 5:09pm...TFC defends south end on this mild late afternoon with a bright sun in the west.
1 min...PU Fabinho cross from 30 yards on left has PU Sapong over crowd of defenders flick 10 yard header wide right.
3 min...PU Pontius recovers poor goal kick from TFC goalie on left at 35 yard line and cuts to middle eluding two defenders' tackles and shoots 17 yarder over net.
4 min...PU Herbers rolls 22 yard shot up middle in crowd of players that's wide right of net.
5 min...PU Bedoya 35 yard freekick from far left has TFC defender pop up header and TFC Osorio clear.
6 min...PU Carroll rush up left and low centering cross from 28 yards has PU Herbers blast 17 yard shot that goalie flies right at 3 yards to push away on post.
8 min...TFC Cheyrou rolls pass from 40 yards too far forward up left wing for TFC Hamilton and out for goalkick.
9 min...PU defenders surround TFC Altidore on left side of PU box and prevent him from getting to ball.
9 min...PU Fabinho rush up left and low cross from 30 yards has TFC Bradley slide to clear in middle of box at 13 yards.
11 min...PU Fabinho beats TFC Beitashour sliding check on left wing at 28 yards and cross from 25 yards on far left is just a step ahead of PU Sapong sliding to connect at 12 yards in middle of box.
13 min...TFC Cheyrou 70 yard through ball pass from right that split defenders for charging TFC Altidore run up middle but ball is picked up at 15 yards before Altidore can get to it.
16 min...PU Bedoya intercepts TFC Johnson's crossfield pass from left at 45 yards and charges down middle and has 15 yard shot from left deflected off TFC Hagglund at 12 yards for cornerkick.
17 min...PU Bedoya cornerkick from left has TFC Hagglund in middle of box head away at 15 yards. PU Fabinho chips 40 yarder from left back into box where PU player heads ball from 18 yard on right across box for PU Sapong but defenders overwhelm him and make clearance.
18 min...TFC Beitashour rush up right and cross into box from 30 yards caught by goalie unchallenged.
20 min...I notice TFC Bradley has moved back to play more of a central defender the last few minutes to prevent PU from getting so many chances.
22 min...TFC Morrow cross from 25 yards on left after short run has PU Marquez step in front of goalie at 6 yards in middle of box and heads away.
22 min...PU defenders block two attempts by TFC players to pass into box.
23 min...TFC YELLOW card...Johnson earns it for pull down of PU Herbers at center line getting by him.
24 min...PU Alejandro Bedoya GOAL...PU CJ Sapong rush down left sideline from center line and rolls centering pass at 40 yard line over to PU Fabian Herbers who continues run to middle of field and rolls pass forward from 35 yards between defenders to Bedoya at 28 yards on right and he chips 20 yarder from right over leaping goalie Clint Irwin standing at 5 yards and ball drops just under bar in center of net.
27 min...TFC Beitashour run down right and cross from 35 yards on right and PU Tribbett cuts in on goalie to pop header at 15 yards and PU Creavalle kicks away clearance.
28 min...TFC Beitashour has defender block his pass on right edge of box.
28 min...PU Fabinho 50 yard freekick from left has goalie charge forward to punch ball away on edge of box.
29 min...PU Rosenberry cross from 30 yards on right has defender behind PU Bedoya at 7 yards make clearance.
32 min...TFC Morrow cross from 35 yards on left has PU Fabinho head away from 12 yards in middle of box.
34 min...TFC Morrow gets ball off fallen PU Creavalle at 35 yards and taps ball forward for TFC Altidore who rolls pass forward from 30 yards up middle and charging goalie dives out to try to grab ball before TFC Hamilton can get to it and Hamilton gets foot in to tip ball past him just inside left edge of 6 yard box but tumbles over him catching trailing leg on his face. PU Tribbett stops loose ball at 4 yards and dribbles out left side of box. The goalie is injured and needs trainer.
39 min...TFC Morrow 25 yard cross from left drifts behind net.
44 min...PU Creavalle rolls pass forward from 35 yards on right and when no player runs for it rescues ball on end line and from 22 yards crosses into box to PU Sapong who with back to goal at 8 yards in group of defenders rolls pass out of box for PU Bedoya at 20 yards who tries to thread pass forward and sliding TFC Johnson gets a piece of but ball deflects over him for PU Herbers charging across 8 yard line from right to center and his blast is stopped point blank by sprawling goalie at 6 yards.
46 min...half ends 5:55pm.

Halftime Entertainment:...There the usual Nestle drumsticks ice cream and Tony from Pizza Pizza for giveaways. There are also costumed creatures from the new Disney movie 'Storks'. There's a 3 on 3 loopy (bubble soccer) game with army guys playing. Both teams are given prize packs.

2nd Half:...starts 6:12pm.
45 min...TFC Hagglund at 15 yards in middle of box heads away cross from PU Fabinho sent in from 30 yards on left.
46 min...TFC Bradley chips pass forward from 80 yards down middle and finds TFC Hamilton at 35 yards on right and he gets shot around PU Marquez at 22 yards on right and goalie catches at 2 yards in center of net. TFC first shot on net this game!
47 min...PU Sapong intercepts TFC Hagglund pass at 25 yards in center and rolls pass to PU Pontius on left who has 12 yard shot blocked. PU Sapong eventually gets ball back and passes to right where PU Rosenberry crosses from 20 yards and TFC Hagglund clears and starts fast break up the middle.
48 min...PU Carroll fed short pass up middle from 25 yards and he rolls pass from 18 yards on right past sliding goalie out at 15 yards and ball rolls just a step ahead of PU Sapong who slides at 6 yards on left and rolls shot that sliding TFC Bradley at 3 yards redirects into outside webbing of net.
49 min...PU Bedoya cornerkick from left has PU player at 8 yards in crowd of players not able to completely redirect with header and ball flies wide right for goalkick.
50 min...TFC Hamilton blocked from getting away shot down middle while on edge of box.
50 min...TFC Osorio wins freekick when pushed over by PU Carroll at PU 33 yard line.
51 min...TFC Altidore 33 yard freekick down middle is wide left of post.
52 min...PU Fabinho wins battle with TFC Hamilton on run down left by getting by him on end line and crossing in from 25 yards that TFC Hagglund heads away at 8 yards.
53 min...TFC Cheyrou pass from 60 yards in middle over to left and forward for charging TFC Osorio at 35 yards who charges to 18 yard line and rolls low cross that retreating PU Tribbett tips up at 7 yards and ball deflects over for TFC Altidore to deflect forward off chest but goalie steps forward and catches at 5 yards.
53 min...PU Bedoya is injured at TFC 40 yard line in collision with TFC Morrow.
56 min...TFC Cheyrou cross from 25 yards near edge of box on right is well over players in box and wide left for goalkick.
58 min...TFC sub...Delgado replaces Johnson.
58 min...TFC Morrow cross from 25 yards on left has TFC Hamilton pop header over net from 7 yards down middle.
59 min...TFC Osorio cross from 12 yards near right end line after ball kept in PU box is through 6 yard box unplayed.
60 min...TFC Altidore shot down middle from just inside edge of box defelcts off PU Marquez and out for cornerkick.
60 min...TFC Bradley cornerkick from right has PU Tribbett head out of box from 6 yards in middle. TFC Morrow eventual recrosses from 30 yards on left that's over TFC Hagglund in box at 6 yards and out right for goalkick.
64 min...PU YELLOW card...Marquez earns it for grabbing shirt of TFC Altidore at 30 yards running down middle to get to chipped pass.
65 min...TFC Bradley chips 30 yard freekick down middle and defender pops up header at 10 yards and another defender hooks foot back and boots midair clearance from 15 yards. TFC Bradley eventual rechip from 33 yards down middle is wide right for goalkick.
66 min...PU sub...Ilsinho replaces Herbers.
67 min...PU Ilsinho gets ball too far forward to get past TFC Moor and 8 yard shot from far right is saved by goalie on short post.
68 min...TFC Cheyrou chips pass downfield from 40 yards on left that charging goalie beats TFC Altidore to catch on second bounce at 15 yards line on left side of box.
69 min...TFC Justin Morrow GOAL...TFC Jonathan Osorio on run down left from 40 yards and at 25 yard line cuts around PU Brian Carroll and runs towards middle of field and approaches PU Jay Tribbett at 15 yards on left. PU Keegan Rosenberry retreating overruns him and Osorio rolls ball forward where Morrow rushing in from left takes low sharp angle shot from 10 yards past sliding Rosenberry and ball is under goalie Andre Blake guarding left post and into right corner of net.
71 min...TFC Osorio chips 60 yarder upfield for PU goalie to catch.
73 min...TFC Bradley 40 yard freekick from right has goalie at 8 yards catch in front of two players and throw for fast break-out.
75 min...TFC Bradley cornerkick from left has TFC Hagglund at 10 yards on left edge of 6 yards box pops header backwards and PU Pontius clears on header at 15 yards in center of box. TFC Morrow eventually chips 40 yarder downfield on left and TFC Hagglund on left at 15 yards flicks header forwsrd and over end line.
76 min...TFC sub...Babouli replaces Hamilton.
76 min...TFC Babouli after run down right side rolls 22 yard shot along right end line that goalie smothers.
77 min...TFC Beitashour cross from 28 yards on right is into box and PU player volleys away ball on kick at 10 yards in middle.
78 min...TFC Bradley rolls pass forward from 30 yards on left to TFC Babouli at 20 yards and he rolls ball from 22 yard line forward to TFC Osorio at 12 yards on left and PU player checks him off ball knocking it to Bradley at 8 yards but PU Marquez gets to ball first and clears.
78 min...TFC Cheyrou shot from 30 yards on left hits TFC Babouli on the back at 12 yards on left and ball deflects away.
79 min...PU sub...Davies replaces Pontius.
79 min...PU Bedoya 30 yard shot after run down left is well wide right.
80 min...TFC Babouli cross from 30 yards on left has PU Tribbett deflect ball at 18 yards off raised foot back for goalie to catch.
82 min...PU Sapong cuts in on left and sliding TFC Beitashour at 12 yards near left end line checks him off ball and Sapong steps on him in follow through.
82 min...TFC Hagglund chips pass from 45 yards down field for TFC Altidore covered by two defenders and is called for handball at 15 yards in middle.
84 min...TFC Bradley cornerkick from left has goalie step forward and catch at 6 yards in middle of box.
85 min...TFC Cheyrou at 50 yard line on right chips pass down middle and TFC Babouli chests it down and control it in front of defenders running into box and 8 yard shot is popped up by sliding defenders. TFC Altidore blasts 10 yard shot off left post. TFC Altidore steps left to blast rebound from 8 yards just over bar.
86 min...TFC sub...Lovitz replaces Beitashour.
88 min...TFC Bradley cornerkick from right is tipped through box and TFC Cheyrou bounces 15 yard shot from left wide right of net.
89 min...TFC Bradley long pass from 65 yards down middle has PU goalie rush out of box then retreat so he can pick up ball on left ahead of charging TFC Babouli.
90 min...TFC Lovitz cross from 25 yards on left after run downfield is over players in box.
90 min...TFC Bradley chips 30 yarder into box and PU Rosenberry clears off TFC Lovitz on left side of box.
91 min...TFC goalie out to 30 yards to head ball away before PU Tribbett can get to long pass.
91 min...TFC Bradley long pass from 60 yards on left hits TFC Altidore in the back on edge of box and defender clears.
92 min...TFC Lovitz low cross from 28 yards on far left is into box and TFC Babouli stops ball at 12 yards in middle, turn around, and swipe at shot as he falls and ball taps over to TFC Altidore at 12 yards and he trips up pushing PU Sapong aside who was trying to clear ball.
92 min...TFC YELLOW card...Altidore earns it for picking up ball and punting it away when he's not awarded a Penalty kick.
93 min...game ends 7:00pm.

Final Score:.......Toronto FC.........1...........Philadelphia Union............1.............

Attendance was announced as 26455 on this special Armed Forces Day. We got a special flyover by two jets. The baseball game up the street got the Goodyear blimp! The team put a big push on for months for us to donate out tickets to the Armed Forces but with a stadium that needed 30000 for a sellout, the team could have donated empty seats to Canadian Forces and still had all their fans attend too. I heard there were 400 Armed Forces personnel here today.

Man of the Match (who is always a TFC player) was Jonathan Osorio. That's fine with me as he had the assist by holding off three guys to pass to Justin Morrow for the goal. He also hustled the whole game.

After the game both teams went to opposite ends of the field to salute their fans. Because TFC didn't win, the PA did not play 'Just Can't Get Enough' nor 'Let's Go Crazy'.

After last week's game against New York Red Bulls they announced that the tie in that game had secured TFC a playoff spot. It wasn't TFC's fault, the league had said a tie would clinch it then took it back a day later when some MLS fans worked out the calculation. Only Dallas FC had clinched after last week's games. At today's game nothing was announced and I'd expect the casual fan did not realize what happened.

Today's result tied TFC with New York City FC who won last night but a lot more games had yet to finish today. A tie makes it much more difficult for TFC to catch Dallas FC for the Supporter's Shield and a guaranteed playoff homefield advantage up to hosting the Final.

I wasn't sure about Clint Irwin starting after being out since leaving the Orlando City game of June 25th and playing some subpar rehab games for TFC II in the USL league. He got chipped on the PU goal at 23 minutes but after that he made about three spectacular saves to ease my doubts.

The stadium PA announcer apologized for the North end scoreboard being wonky. It stopped a few times and I noticed they would tweak it forward two minutes at a time once in a while until there finally was a 5 minute gap between it and the correct south end mini scoreboards.

TFC go by again today without Sebastian Giovinco although teasing the press with a possible return. I think there's no need to rush him back. I had wanted to see if Jozy Altidore could carry the offence like last week but he loooked very ordinary for much of the game.

Both teams were called offside quite often it seemed to me but the official stats reveal that TFC were called only four times and Union twice.

TFC Jordan Hamilton was Altidore's forward partner until 76 minutes when another Academy grad, Mo Babouli, took his place.

After the TFC goal it looked like TFC was the only team that would score the winner. Union was probably satisfied with a tie on the road as this is a tough stadium for any visiting team to get a result however that means TFC hasn't won in their last three home games. The loss against Montreal and now ties against Red Bulls and Union.

TFC Steven Beitashour was constantly open on the right wing but he would mostly waste his crosses or get checked off the ball.

Union had two former TFC players in the lineup. Warren Creavalle got the start as a midfielder and midfielder Maurice Edu who played for TFC in their first season of 2007 before being transferred to Europe never got off the bench.

We fans received a pack of Realfruit Gummies candy on our way out.

The subway was not running from Bloor to Osgoode on the north-south line. That made a detour for me as I took the westbound train from Bloor and a streetcar south and was lucky to get on a bus up Dufferin right away to make a quick escape.

Rocket Robin
robing@eol.ca

stats from MLSsoccer.com
Match Information

Goals and Assists
25'    PHI  Alejandro Bedoya               Assisted By: Fabian Herbers 
70'    TOR  Justin Morrow                  Assisted By: Jonathan Osorio 

Disciplinary
24'    TOR  Will Johnson                   Reason: Unsporting Behavior 
66'    PHI  Richie Marquez                 Reason: Unsporting Behavior 
90'+4' TOR  Jozy Altidore                  Reason: Dissent 

Lineup
Toronto FC  
17 F Jozy Altidore 
22 F Jordan Hamilton   (77')
 1 G Clint Irwin 
33 D Steven Beitashour (87')  
 6 D Nick Hagglund 
 3 D Drew Moor 
 2 D Justin Morrow 
 4 M Michael Bradley 
 7 M Will Johnson      (59')
 8 M Benoit Cheyrou 
21 M Jonathan Osorio 

Bench
25 G Alex Bono 
28 D Mark Bloom 
15 D Eriq Zavaleta 
19 D Daniel Lovitz     (87')
18 M Marco Delgado     (59')
 9 F Tsubasa Endoh 
11 F Mo Babouli        (77')

Manager  Greg Vanney  
 
Lineup

Philadelphia Union 
17 F C.J. Sapong 
 1 G Andre Blake 
12 D Keegan Rosenberry 
 4 D Ken Tribbett 
16 D Richie Marquez 
33 D Fabinho 
 2 M Warren Creavalle 
 7 M Brian Carroll 
14 M Fabian Herbers     (67')
11 M Alejandro Bedoya 
13 M Chris Pontius      (80')

Bench
27 G John McCarthy 
28 D Raymon Gaddis 
26 D Auston Trusty 
 8 M Maurice Edu 
 9 M Charlie Davies     (80')
25 M Ilsinho            (67')
 6 M Roland Alberg 

Manager  Jim Curtin 

Officials
Referee  Ismail Elfath 
Assistant Referee  Peter Manikowski 
Assistant Referee  Philippe Briere 
Fourth Official  Silviu Petrescu 

Match Information
MLS at BMO Field
Toronto, ON
Attendance 26455
Weather Sunny

Team Statistics

TOR                        PHI
 10     Shots                9 
  2     Shots on Target      4 
  5     Shots off Target     4 
  3     Blocked Shots        1 
  4     Corners              2 
 19     Crosses             15 
  4     Offsides             2 
  6     Fouls               12 
  2     Yellow Cards         1 
  0     Red Cards            0 
596     Total Passes       353 
 82 %   Passing Accuracy    72 % 
 62.1 % Possession          37.9 % 
 44     Duels Won           38 
  9     Tackles Won         17 
  3     Saves                1 
 13     Clearances          20

Toronto FC starters