May 4, 2018 MLS Toronto FC--Toronto FC vs Philadelphia Union (by Rocket Robin)

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Result and details of the Friday May 4, 2018 MLS game between Toronto FC and Philadelphia Union played at BMO Field in Toronto at 8:00PM.

27 min...TFC Victor Vazquez GOAL...TFC Sebastian Giovinco at 35 yards in middle passes forward and to wide right for wide open Nicolas Hasler. Hasler rolls pass from 15 yards wide right of net along 8 yard line and Vazquez in alignment with right post one-touches shot low and it catches the left corner of the net away from goalie Andre Blake who is trapped on right side of net. 64 min...TFC Sebastian Giovinco GOAL...TFC Jonathan Osorio gets ball at 80 yards and runs up middle to 40 yard line and passes forward and left to Giovinco. Giovinco gets ball at 25 yard line on left and keeps running forward and cutting towards middle into box and dekes around PU Jack Elliott who slips and shoots low 8 yarder that goalie dives to get a hand to but balls momentum propels it over him and into right corner of net. 88 min...TFC Jay Chapman GOAL...TFC Jordan Hamilton recovers PU pass at 65 yards that had deflected off TFC Jonathan Osorio and runs forward and to middle. At 45 yard line he rolls pass forward and to right to charging Chapman. Chapman receives pass at 30 yard line and from 20 yards on right takes low shot beyond diving goalie at 5 yards and into left corner of net. Final Score:...Toronto FC......3.......Philadelphia Union........0....... Attendance was not announced at the stadium but was published in the newspaper at 24728. That was quite low but a storm had hit the city in the afternoon with high winds and police had warned people to stay home if they could. I was already on my way but was delayed by subway stoppages as it was announced a few times that debris had blown onto the track at outside stretches including a security fence on their Downsview portion. I had noticed a huge branch in my backyard had fallen before I left crushing my two clotheslines and severing my telephone line knocking out my landline and internet service. Man of the Match (who is always a TFC player) was named as forward Sebastian Giovinco. I'd agree with that choice as when he scored the team's second goal, that's what really put the game away. He was listed as the sole forward and was most successful when he ran in from the left into the box. I didn't realize that this was his first MLS goal of the season. TFC did get the wind advantage in the first half. I'd say the wind dropped off in the second half when they had to run into it so that made it easier to control the game. There wasn't so much worry about goal kicks getting caught in the wind. The pregame fireworks display was restricted to the endzone because of the wind. TFC had over triple the number of shots as the visitors—16 to 5 and an 8 to 3 advantage of shots on target. Also TFC had a 9 to 4 lead in cornerkicks. Referee Jose Carlos Rivero gave out five Yellow cards tonight with two to TFC. Union were caught four times offside to just once for TFC. TFC still have injury problems with the six defenders missing from last week still out. Midfielder Michael Bradley was moved back again this game to be a central defender. The makeshift defence of Gregory van der Wiel, Bradley, and Ashtone Morgan with Auro Jr coming back to help out when needed was quite effective. Auro Jr was injured at 85 minutes and was treated on the sideline on the opposite side of the players' bench and needed to be subbed off. It hasn't been announced at this time if he'll miss any games. Last week's game was the 100th TFC appearance for midfielder Marky Delgado since coming to the team in 2015 in the Chivas USA dispersal draft. Alex Bono earned the shutout for TFC with a few key saves and a fortunate PU Alejandro Bedoya header at 9 minutes off a cornerkick that hit the underside of the bar but stayed out. Union didn't have more than a few chances and no sustained pressure. The Chapman from Hamilton goal made me feel glad as it involved two Canadians and four Canadians were on the field at the time but I have a feeling they were just brought on just because TFC had a big lead and their chances of playing will be reduced when the injury but is over. Next week an announcement will be made about the 'York 9' team playing in the new Canadian Premier League starting next year and maybe by now they've decided how many Canadians per team they'll require. The result moves TFC's record to 2 wins, 4 losses, 1 tie. This is the first game of the weekend and they move up from eleventh (ie last) to ninth in the East passing DC United and Montreal for the time being although they do have a game in hand on Montreal. Philadelphia and Chicago are one point ahead of TFC but it is a big five point gap for TFC to catch New York Red Bulls for the sixth and final playoff spot. TFC's goals for/against improve to 9-13 and will get better as they climb the standings. TFC next play Seattle on Wednesday night. Seattle is the worst team in the MLS for now. Seattle plays Saturday night at home to Columbus so they should be tired on one day's less rest and a cross continent flight to get here. Philadelphia had won their last game at home against DC United 3-2 which showed they can score but let in goals too. This is one of the teams TFC must pass to make the playoffs. Oasis juice boxes were given to fans on the way out. With me missing out on getting a fridge magnet calendar at the first league match, I'd say it's the first sponsored gift I've received this season. Rocket Robin robing@eol.ca twitter @RocketRobin01

stats from MLSsoccer.com
Match Information

Goals and Assists
28' TFC  Víctor Vázquez                      Assisted By: Nicolas Hasler, Sebastian Giovinco      
65' TFC  Sebastian Giovinco                  Assisted By: Jonathan Osorio     
89' TFC  Jay Chapman                         Assisted By: Jordan Hamilton    

Disciplinary
24'    PHI  Jack Elliott                        Reason: Unsporting Behavior           
31'    TFC  Sebastian Giovinco                  Reason: Unsporting Behavior            
45'+2' TFC  Ashtone Morgan                      Reason: Unsporting Behavior        
50'    PHI  Auston Trusty                       Reason: Handball              
84'    PHI  Ilsinho                             Reason: Unsporting Behavior        

Lineup

Toronto FC
10 F Sebastian Giovinco
25 G Alexander Bono
96 D Auro                      (85')
 9 D Gregory van der Wiel
 4 D Michael Bradley
 5 D Ashtone Morgan
18 M Marco Delgado
26 M Nicolas Hasler            (78')
 8 M Ager Aketxe
 7 M Víctor Vázquez            (82')
21 M Jonathan Osorio

Bench
 1 G Clint Irwin      
12 D Jason Hernandez            (85')
14 M Jay Chapman                (78')
22 M Jordan Hamilton            (82')
27 M Liam Fraser      
87 F Tosaint Ricketts     
54   Ryan Telfer       

Manager  Greg Vanney

Philadelphia Union
17 F C.J. Sapong                (85')
18 G Andre Blake
12 D Keegan Rosenberry
 3 D Jack Elliott
26 D Auston Trusty
28 D Raymon Gaddis
 6 M Haris Medunjanin
11 M Alejandro Bedoya
25 M Ilsinho
10 M Borek Dockal                (77')
 7 M David Accam                 (64')

Bench
 1 G John McCarthy
33 D Fabinho
 4 D Mark McKenzie
 2 M Warren Creavalle
 9 M Fabrice-Jean Picault        (64')
20 M Marcus Epps                 (77')
19 F Cory Burke                  (85')

Manager Jim Curtin

Officials
Referee                 José Carlos Rivero       
Assistant Referee       Adam Wienckowski      
Assistant Referee       Gianni Facchini      
Fourth Official         Marcos de Oliveira     
Video Assistant Referee Geoff Gamble      

Match Information
MLS at BMO Field
Toronto, ON
Attendance 24728
Weather Clear

Team Statistics

TFC                            Phi         
 16    Shots                     5      
  8    Shots on Target           3      
  3    Shots off Target          2      
  5    Blocked Shots             0      
  9    Corners                   4      
 19    Crosses                   8      
  1    Offsides                  4     
 11    Fouls                    14     
  2    Yellow Cards              3     
  0    Red Cards                 0     
502    Total Passes            444    
 84 %  Passing Accuracy         76 %     
 53.3 % Possession              46.7 %      
 58    Duels Won                65           
 15    Tackles Won              24     
  4    Saves                     5      
 12    Clearances               27

Toronto FC starters