Brotherly Game - Toronto FC vs Philadelphia Union: The Whole Story - Match day 21The beautiful game with a Philadelphia attitudehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48005/brotherlygame-fave.png2015-07-20T07:00:02-04:00http://www.brotherlygame.com/rss/stream/87613562015-07-20T07:00:02-04:002015-07-20T07:00:02-04:00Philadelphia Union Lose After Horrid Performance
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Ze3XHbGlNqb0qESvL9qcAcCsglM=/0x95:3489x2421/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46786118/usa-today-8703290.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Every week we "Monday morning manage" the previous Philadelphia Union games, talking about the major points in the game that changed momentum, led to goals and won or lost the points for the Union. This week, we analyze yet another "pointless" road trip.</p> <p>A week ago the <a href="https://www.brotherlygame.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Philadelphia Union</a> were on a high. They had just beaten a very good <a href="https://www.stumptownfooty.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Portland Timbers</a> team (although one missing some players) and were hoping to enter the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/us-open-golf">U.S. Open</a> Cup quarter-final on a high. However, that wasn't to be the case as <a href="https://www.wakingthered.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Toronto FC</a> rode one of their star players to a 2-1 win. What went down for this to happen?</p>
<p><b>1. Edu picking up too many yellow cards in the season.</b></p>
<p>In his 19 games for the Union this season, <span>Maurice Edu</span> has picked up 8 yellow cards, enough to warrant a one-game suspension. While I don't have the time to go back and look at every one of the yellow cards, I would bet they would include some where he had to take the yellow card for the good of the team. There is nothing you can do about those yellow cards other than accept them. However, I'd also bet that there were a few times he picked up stupid yellow cards for fouls in the corner or around the half way line that he had no chance of winning the ball. Those are the yellow cards that really hurt when a player of Edu's caliber is in the stands watching.</p>
<p>The other thing the suspension forced was <span>Jim Curtin</span> to play <span>Ethan White</span> and <span>Richie Marquez</span> as the center back pairing. That's a very inexperienced pairing, especially considering that <span>Brian Sylvestre</span> and <span>Ray Gaddis</span> aren't exactly experienced to help out. While Brian Carroll tried his best, the inexperience often showed throughout the game. It also raises the question, if he is healthy as has been said - where is <span>Steven Vitoria</span>? While Edu is back for the rest of the week's games, it is likely that Marquez will miss out due to injury. Is Ethan White giving anyone any confidence this year that the team can win with him playing?</p>
<p><b>2. The return of the missing/terrible wingers.</b></p>
<p>Last week's great performance should have been what gave <span>Sebastien Le Toux</span> and <span>Andrew Wenger</span> their confidence back, but that wasn't to be. If not for the head knock that Wenger took, you would have no idea he even played in the game as he was practically invisible on the pitch pre-injury. I was surprised he stayed in as long as he did, as it was obviously a hard knock he took. The fact he came off about ten minutes after the injury happened shows maybe the medical staff got that one wrong.</p>
<p>As for Le Toux, well it is a game he will want to forget. Le Toux gave the ball away so much that if he was a Toronto player he would have had a great game. In the early stages, when Philadelphia were creating more chances than Toronto, the ball came to Le Toux a few yards out. However, the Frenchman, who would have stuck it away with ease in 2010 completely whiffed his shot. Sadly, it may have been the best contact he got all game, as even when his passes found a Union player they seemed to be mishit. The only reason that Le Toux wasn't subbed off would have been the two injuries, and wanting to save <span>Cristian Maidana</span> for the U.S. Open Cup game.</p>
<p><b>3. Suffocate Maidana, suffocate the Union.</b></p>
<p>In a year where almost everything good for the Union has come through Maidana, it should be easy for the opposition to formulate a plan to stop that. By making sure there are two or three players around the Argentine midfielder, the lack of movement or help from the rest of t he Union means that there was nothing coming from the Union's key player. Toronto accomplished this with easy, and shut down Maidana and the Union's attack all afternoon.</p>
<p>The other thing that Toronto did was to give the Union players not named Maidana plenty of time with the ball. Toronto sat back and made sure that Philadelphia couldn't counter-attack, where Sebastien Le Toux may be effective. By doing that and preventing Maidana from getting the ball in space, they prevented the Union from getting chances. Despite having 61% of possession, the Union could only manage a paltry seven shots.</p>
<p><b>4. Standing still watching.</b></p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2015-07-18-toronto-fc-vs-philadelphia-union/details/video/44131">To the only real singlular game changing moment of the game, the second goal</a>. After having yet again done well until they gave up the first goal, the Union went back to the old habit of standing watching after someone takes a shot. While it would be very harsh to blame Sylvestre for coughing up the rebound to Sebastian Giovinco's initial attempt, it isn't harsh to chastise the Union for standing around and ball-watching while Giovinco attacked the rebound.</p>
<p>Such a schoolkid play should never be accepted, and I hope that Jim Curtin is somehow able to stop the trend of ball-watching by Union defenders. It seems to come back and haunt the team every time they commit that particular crime.</p>
<p><b>5. Giovinco.</b></p>
<p>All the hype of the foreign stars coming over centered around <span>Frank Lampard</span>, <span>David Villa</span> and later <span>Steven Gerrard</span> and lately Andrea Pirlo. That isn't even mentioning Kaka, who just doesn't play for a NY or LA team. However, the guy that is outperforming everyone is Giovinco. The Italian, who came to Toronto at a younger age than the others, as well as at the start of the season has been nothing short of sensational. He has scored the winning goal against Philadelphia in both games, and is rightly at the front of the pack for MVP consideration. Where as Toronto stopped Maidana from playing, Philadelphia couldn't get close to Giovinco, and he made the team pay with a goal and an assist, and could have added a second if Brian Sylvestre hadn't done well to race out and make the shot difficult in the 39th minute.</p>
<p>So having started the week in confident fashion, the Union are now going in to a vital game against a <a href="https://www.onceametro.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Red Bulls</a> team who will be trying to get revenge for the apparent sleight of not changing the date of the quarter-final to suit the Red Bulls. Win and there's a semi-final on the horizon, lose and the season may trail off to nothingness before the start of September.</p>
https://www.brotherlygame.com/2015/7/20/9000735/monday-morning-game-changers-wonders-oh-canada-thou-art-so-cruelbluetooner2015-07-18T21:28:47-04:002015-07-18T21:28:47-04:00RECAP: Toronto 2-1 Union
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/2CXcWQNd7kuvQEmkSgqddDhqlpM=/0x262:3885x2852/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46782340/usa-today-8703291.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>A late goal by Conor Casey was not enough to overcome the early deficit the Union found themselves in.</p> <p>Some days this season the <a href="https://www.brotherlygame.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Philadelphia Union</a> transform themselves and become a team better than their actual talent indicates. Today was not one of those days. The Union fell behind early, and never came close to challenging Toronto in the second half en route to a 2-1 defeat at BMO Field.</p>
<p>The Union's best chance of the match came real early on. C.J. Sapong successfully danced around Toronto goalkeeper <span>Joe Bendik</span> in the box. But with an open net flashing him, Sapong found himself at too tight an angle and could only launch the ball into the side-netting resulting in a harmless Toronto goal kick. A few minutes later Sapong fired a shot from distance, but Bednik easily scooped it up.</p>
<p><span>Marky Delgado</span> put <a href="https://www.wakingthered.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Toronto FC</a> on top for good in the 29th minute. Nice build-up in the midfield led to Sebastian Giovinco slotting it through to Delgago who took a quick touch then volleyed the ball past <span>Brian Sylvestre</span> while <span>Ethan White</span> stood still. The goal was too easy for the Reds, who were happy to accept White's and the Union's gift of bad defending.</p>
<p>Toronto's second goal came only a few minutes later. Altidore flicked a throw-in to Giovinco who went straight for the shot on target. Sylvestre made a nice save, but he could only parry the ball back into the box. Instead of boxing out or marking or defending Giovinco, the Union defense just stood there as Giovinco picked up his own rebound and smashed it past a diving Sylvestre to give Toronto their second goal in two minutes.</p>
<p>Toronto would have numerous chances to add on to their lead even more, though they would never need it. Giovinco had a 1-on-1 with Sylvestre, but tucked it wide by a few inches. Much later on in the game, <span>Jozy Altidore</span> had an easy header available to him at the top of the six-yard box, but he headed it right at the feet of the Union defenders.</p>
<p>Having suffered a concussion in the first half of the match, <span>Andrew Wenger</span> was subbed out for <span>Eric Ayuk</span>. And for Ayuk's part it appeared as if he had volleyed in a cross in the 60th minute, but the assistant referee had ruled that Ayuk was offside and thus the goal could not stand. Though the official was correct in his ruling and Ayuk was indeed offside, a part of him should still feel bad anyway because he robbed the world of seeing Ayuk once more celebrate a goal.</p>
<p><span>Jim Curtin</span> took off <span>Richie Marquez</span> in the second half for <span>Conor Casey</span>, leaving the Union with three in the back. It was a risky move, but given Toronto's propensity for conceding and the fact the Union were down two, it seemed like it would be a risk worth taking. And as it turns out, the Union did score a goal right at the dawn of second half stoppage time, giving themselves somewhat of a fighting chance. The flick from Sapong to 2nd half substitute Conor Casey allowed him an opportunity to dance around the Toronto defense before firing a shot past Bendik and on target into the net.</p>
<p>Unfortunately for the Union though, they would not be able to pressure Bendik's net again and the Union would walk away from BMO Field defeated 2-1. Up next for the Union is mid-week <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/us-open-golf" class="sbn-auto-link">U.S. Open</a> Cup play as the Union will travel to Harrison for a quarter-final against <a href="https://www.onceametro.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Red Bulls</a>, and the Union will play their next MLS match in front of a national TV audience next Sunday at <a href="https://www.blackandredunited.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">D.C. United</a>.</p>
https://www.brotherlygame.com/2015/7/18/8998715/toronto-fc-philadelphia-union-recap-sebastian-giovinco-goalJustin F.2015-07-18T17:09:17-04:002015-07-18T17:09:17-04:00C.J. Sapong Got Kicked In The Nuts<iframe src="https://vine.co/v/erLHXPDFXOh/embed/simple" width="600" height="600"></iframe>
<div class="source source-img"><p><p>Ouch.</p></p></div>
https://www.brotherlygame.com/2015/7/18/8998847/1437253757Eugene Rupinski2015-07-17T19:17:15-04:002015-07-17T19:17:15-04:003 Questions with Waking the Red
<figure>
<img alt="Sebastian Giovinco celebrates his free-kick winner." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/2G6rYxigxOVrPysf6_iEap74BRU=/0x0:3707x2471/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46776426/usa-today-8548859.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Sebastian Giovinco celebrates his free-kick winner. | Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>This week we sat down with James Grossi of Waking the Red, SB Nation's Toronto FC blog, about this weekend's match against the Reds.</p> <p><b>The Brotherly Game: </b>The last time our clubs met was back on May 2, and Toronto won on a Sebastian Giovinco free kick beauty.</p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/icc-hbdWy7U" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p>How has TFC changed since then?</p>
<p><b>Waking The Red: </b>With Toronto starting their season on that long road trip, the match in Philadelphia being the last of seven, it was difficult to get a cohesive image of how the team would try and approach the season. Road matches are more about survival than thriving, and so the TFC side that was witnessed that day showed those signs of a team eager to get grab a result and get back home; a side still learning to flex its collective muscle.</p>
<p>Perhaps that is a little unfair, <span>Greg Vanney</span> has installed some consistency in how his side approaches a match, whether home or away, occasionally to their detriment, as the 4-0 loss in LA bears witness.</p>
<p>But since that early May meeting, Toronto has grown into a far more dominant side, in terms of possession and patience, that ability to work through an opponent - though that has disappeared a bit of late, beginning with that surprise defeat to New York City in June.</p>
<p>Looking back over those early days, there was a real long ball, counterattack method to their play. Giovinco is still a threat, and the occasional defense-splitting pass is still a good option, but with more familiarity under their belts, Toronto is just as likely to work through an opponent as to by-pass them.</p>
<p>Just look at a few of the goals from the 4-4 result in New York City last weekend - numbers two and three specifically. Both were scored by Giovinco, but the build-up play involved numerous other players - first <span>Collen Warner</span> and Jackson playing through the middle to spring Giovinco, then <span>Nick Hagglund</span>, <span>Justin Morrow</span>, <span>Marky Delgado</span>, and <span>Robbie Findley</span> combining up the right to find the Italian in the area.</p>
<p>To say that the plan is not 'get the ball to Giovinco' would be a little obtuse, but that other players have grown into their roles bodes well for the rest of the season. And that was without <span>Michael Bradley</span> on the pitch.</p>
<p>Back in the last meeting, Bradley was still trying to cover too much ground, both defending and attacking, doing neither to full effect. He will not be available, but that move, committing Bradley to an advanced position, has really strengthened the consistency of the attack.</p>
<p>As far as personnel are concerned, it will largely be the same eleven, barring Bradley's absence. So to sum up that rambling response, the key difference from May to now is that the team has grown into itself, narrowing the gap between how they draw it up on the chalkboard and how it plays out on the field - except for the eight goals allowed through the last two matches.</p>
<p><b>tBG: </b>Former <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brotherlygame.com/">Philadelphia Union</a> and current <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.wakingthered.com/">Toronto FC</a> goalkeeper <span>Chris Konopka</span> is suspended for Saturday for a hard tackle on <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hudsonriverblue.com/">New York City FC's</a> Andoni Iraola. What's the general feeling about <span>Joe Bendik</span> going into goal this weekend?</p>
<p><b>WTR: </b>Normally, losing the first-choice keeper would be a cause for concern, but as the performances of Konopka since stepping in for Bendik in that early May match in Philadelphia ha shown, Toronto does not really have a one-two keeper system, more of a one-A and one-B deal.</p>
<p>Both keepers have strengths and weaknesses to their games: Bendik's distribution is a touch suspect, while Konopka has been prone to the odd misstep - the penalty kick he conceded to <span>David Villa</span> was an inexperienced, rush-of-blood move on a wily veteran.</p>
<p>There is always a little bit of trepidation when a keeper has not seen first team action in a while, but Bendik is a solid professional and will be chomping at the bit to get back out their and retake what he sees as his position.</p>
<p>Digging deep, the one possible difficulty is that Bendik has not seen a lot of time with this back-line, so communication and the ability interpret how a defender will react to a given situation may prove to be a liability. Bendik will be familiar with Morrow and Nick Hagglund, they have played together quite a bit; less so with <span>Ashtone Morgan</span>, who spent much of last season on the bench. The amount of time shared with Damien Perquis and <span>Eriq Zavaleta</span> is even less.</p>
<p>That could lead to the occasional concession of an extra corner kick or losing the odd-second on restarts, but they should get past that rather quickly.</p>
<p><b>tBG: </b>This will be the first time the Union have played at BMO since the renovations. Can you give our readers a sense of how the stadium is now versus how it was last season?</p>
<p><b>WTR: </b>BMO Field is still largely the same cozy place it was previously, especially on the ground level, where the only real changes have been the addition of some extra stairwells.</p>
<p>The TFC supporters' sections have been consolidated at the South End, and the away support sits in a similar place to where they did before - in that North-East corner of the stadium. Given there is now a second deck there, visitors are a lot higher than they used to be, but should still get a nice view of the proceedings, though interaction between home and away fans, in terms of singing back and forth, may be a little more difficult until the canopy is put in next season. Hopefully that will capture and redirect some sound so rowdy visiting fans who make noise when the homers are quiet, can make themselves heard - now it just sort of floats away into the ether.</p>
<p>The best thing that the renovations have done is made the whole stadium more inclusive. One can now walk fully around the second deck - it is still horseshoe-shaped however, while the ring around the ground level has been decluttered a little.</p>
<p>Amenity-wise, the basic lay out of the stadium has been to consolidate certain foods together - there are some BBQ pits, a few gourmet hot dogs assemblies, a taco stand, and a Taste of Italy thing (they have porketta and stuff like that); the club also has a partnership with Smoke's Poutine, so the full Canadian experience can be had in the ground.</p>
<p>The same goes for drinks: beer everywhere, with Bacardi and El Jimador stands sprinkled about. There is a patio-style assembly at the North End of the stadium, the King Club, as well. Good for killing a bit of time prematch, but otherwise not a great view of the match - the North Stand blocks most of the action unless one can grab a table way at the front.</p>
<p>Most gamedays have some of the pre-match fun stuff for kids: target practice, human foosball, freestyle exhibitions; that sort of thing. Though if anyone is coming up for this weekend, be forewarned: there are a bunch of Pan Am events on the Exhibition Grounds, so access is restricted to two entrances and parking is severely limited - so give oneself a little extra time to get to the match.</p>
<p>A directory for the ground level can be found <a href="http://bmofield.com/food-beverages/" target="_blank">here</a> - a PDF map of the gates for the grounds with the Pan Ams on can be downloaded <a href="http://images.toronto2015.org/system/asset_pdfs/3053/original/VTOM-V1-PAP.pdf?1421963033" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
<p>Predicted lineup:<br>Do not foresee any major changes, aside from Bendik in for Konopka. There is a question mark over who will pair with Perquis in the centre of defense, either Hagglund or Zavaleta could slot in there:</p>
<p>Joe Bendik; from right to left - Justin Morrow, Damien Perquis, Eriq Zavaleta, and Ashtone Morgan across the back; Marky Delgado, Collen Warner, Benoit Cheyrou, and <span>Jonathan Osorio</span> through the midfield - Cheyrou will take the more advanced role; <span>Jozy Altidore</span> and Sebastian Giovinco up top.</p>
<p>Predicted score:<br>2-2; both teams will score goals, Toronto's defense is a little frail at the moment, and Philadelphia is in fine form. Plus it wouldn't be a TFC season if they didn't put a little fear into the supporters come the midpoint of the season - a four-match winless run would do that.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://t.co/8oq3iCIXEW"><i>For our exchange with Waking the Red, go here.</i></a></p>
https://www.brotherlygame.com/2015/7/17/8994569/toronto-fc-vs-Philadelphia-union-match-preview-waking-the-redEugene RupinskiJames GrossiJohn Rossi2015-07-17T06:00:03-04:002015-07-17T06:00:03-04:00Match Preview: Toronto FC vs Philadelphia Union
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/WQXbhIcNq3_k9lTyWPYL4CqUva0=/0x74:2480x1727/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46754796/usa-today-8681420.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>It's Red vs. Blue this Saturday as the Philadelphia Union head north to face off against Toronto FC. </p> <p><b>Who: </b>Philadelphia Union vs. Toronto FC</p>
<p><b>When: </b>Saturday July 18th, 4:00 PM</p>
<p><b>Where to watch: </b>The Comcast Network, MLS Live</p>
<p>An on-fire Sebastian Giovinco and a trio of returning Gold Cup players will host the Philadelphia Union on Saturday in the first of two trips the boys in blue make to Toronto this season.</p>
<p>Giovinco tied for the third fastest hat trick in MLS history for the Reds last time out, scoring three goals in a nine-minute span. Unfortunately for TFC, that was still not enough to secure all three points in a wild 4-4 shootout with <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hudsonriverblue.com/">New York City FC</a> at Yankee Stadium on Sunday. The 28-year-old Italian scored the only goal of the match the last time TFC and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brotherlygame.com/">Union</a> met off a first half set piece, and has eleven goals in seventeen games in his first season in MLS.</p>
<p>Coach Greg Vanney's roster selection was made easier by Canada's failure in the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/concacaf-gold-cup">Gold Cup</a> and Jurgen Klinsmann's decision to leave the mostly ineffective and not quite 100 percent <span>Jozy Altidore</span> off the U.S. roster for the knockout round.</p>
<p>Even a less than fully fit Altidore will be a welcome presence either in the starting XI or off the bench on Saturday with U.S. skipper <span>Michael Bradley</span> still missing from the Toronto lineup. Regulars Jonathan Osorio and <span>Ashtone Morgan</span> will look to rebound from a rough showing for Team Canada, which was eliminated from the competition on Tuesday after failing to score for the third straight game.</p>
<p>Goalkeeper Joe Bendik will be back in the lineup looking to win his job back after former Union keeper <span>Chris Konopka</span> was handed a one-match suspension by the MLS Disciplinary Committee for "endangering the safety of an opponent" in the NYC FC game. Konopka kept a clean sheet against his former club at PPL Park in early May after Bendik, who seems to have his best outings against the Union, was injured.</p>
<p>The Union, meanwhile, have gained some desperately needed momentum in recent weeks with wins over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.sounderatheart.com/">Seattle Sounders</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stumptownfooty.com/">Portland Timbers</a>, a draw with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/">Montreal Impact</a>, and a comeback win down a man against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blackandredunited.com/">D.C. United</a> in the Open Cup. Perhaps more importantly for the attack, <span>Andrew Wenger</span> finally broke his brutal to watch goal-scoring drought against Portland and will want to add to his total against a defense that has surrendered eight goals in its last two matches. With Cristian Maidana, <span>Vincent Nogueira</span> and <span>CJ Sapong</span> clicking, three points is neither out of the question or too much to ask for.</p>
<p>If there's a playoff push in this team yet, it probably needs to start in Toronto with games against three other teams leading them in the Eastern Conference standings to follow - D.C. United, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.onceametro.com/">New York Red Bulls</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.themaneland.com/">Orlando City</a>. The Union are just under the magic red playoff line and only two points behind <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.wakingthered.com/">Toronto FC</a> (and three other teams) in the standings.</p>
<p>The fear is that the combination of <span>Maurice Edu</span> missing from the back line due to yellow card accumulation and a player as locked in as Giovinco is right now could be a harsh dose of reality for a team that has made a habit the last few seasons of giving glimmers of hope to hold us over through the summer only to crash and burn when the leaves start to change.</p>
https://www.brotherlygame.com/2015/7/17/8974627/toronto-fc-philadelphia-union-2015-mls-preview-team-news-scheduleMatthew Ralph