World News – CA – Toronto FC scores two second-period goals to beat Philadelphia Union 2-1

We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, display personalized content and targeted advertising, analyze site traffic, and understand where our public For more information or to unsubscribe, read our cookie policy.Please also read our privacy notice and terms of use, which came into effect on December 20, 2019

The Philadelphia Union traveled to Hartford, Connecticut, Toronto’s temporary home at Rentschler Field at Pratt and Whitney Stadium, and fell 2-1 after two second-period goals by Ayo Akinola and Alejandro Pozuelo

Sergio Santos scored a wonderful chip to stun the hosts in the opening minutes, but Union was outscored in the second half as Toronto came back from behind as they did against the Columbus Crew in their victory 3-1 Sunday evening

The Union have dropped to fourth in the Eastern Conference standings but will need a quick turnaround as they will play three games in just over a week With the victory, Toronto edged out the Union and took second place despite being tied on points with Columbus after their draw against FC Dallas.

« It was a tough night, obviously two very good teams came out, » Union coach Jim Curtin said after the game. « After giving up the first goal, we took a lot of pressure. We knew a quality team like Toronto would come to us »

The Union were hoping to build on their convincing 3-0 victory over Inter Miami last Sunday and close the gap to Columbus for the top spot in the Eastern Conference Captain Alejandro Bedoya returned to the lineup after a one-game suspension, and Matt Real and Olivier Mbaizo started as outside backs in place of injured Kai Wagner and Ray Gaddis Andre Blake made his 139th start for the Union and is now fourth among the club leaders after passing Sheanon Williams Brenden Aaronson and Kacper Przybylko both made their 40th start for the club

Toronto has named MLS Player of the Month Pozuelo, who has collected nine assists during the season The Spain playmaker has been touted by many as one of the early favorites for the US League MVP’s international Jozy Altidore started out on top with former La Liga Best XI attacking Pablo Piatti on one side and Canadian youth international Akinola on the other side. Defender Richie Laryea was named player of the week after three points in Toronto’s victory over the crew Canadian international Jonathan Osorio, the club’s captain and appearing leader, also started in midfield

Sergio Santos opened the scoring in the 5th minute with an exquisite chip to put the guests on top Bedoya stole a Toronto clearance for the first time against Santos, who beat two Toronto defenders and with a tight angle, cut the ball over Quentin Westberg with a nice touch of delicacy in the far corner The goal was Santos ‘third of the season Two minutes later, Toronto nearly scored the equalizer on a Toronto corner in which two weak Union clearances kept the ball alive Jakob Glenes’ header fell to the to Chris Mavinga, but Blake made a good save near the post to turn the Toronto center-back down

Toronto absorbed the opening goal and responded with plenty of possession as they showed their class opening the game and putting the Union on the defensive Pozuelo has been the creator on several occasions, attacking from all sides, but the union back four held firm

The Union nearly doubled their lead against the run of the game after thirty minutes when Jamiro Monteiro’s curling shot from the top of the box was knocked off the crossbar by Westberg, then Westberg stuffed Przybylko Toronto’s rebound was forced to make an early change when Justin Morrow was injured and was replaced by Tony Gallacher, who arrived this season after two years playing for the Liverpool reserves Toronto had a few half chances late in the first period, but several wide crosses into the box were erased by Glesnes and McKenzie, who dominated the Union penalty area and controlled Altidore throughout the first period.

The second half started with more pressure from Toronto to the sides, but time and again Union managed to clear all entry passes Altidore came out six minutes after the start of the second half -time with a hamstring injury and was replaced by Nick DeLeon, then Union weathered the storm after the opening minutes of half-time as Toronto began to gain more ball towards the middle stages

Toronto equalized the game in the 58th minute when Akinola came home on a Gallacher cross, who took a long ball, attacked down the left side and whipped a cross to the back post Akinola beat McKenzie after drifting behind the Union defender and attacking the ball with a powerful header that grazed Blake’s fingertips Akinola’s goal was his 7th of the season

Piatti had a good look a few minutes after the goal, but his shot missed high, and the Union countered with luck of their own, but Bedoya’s cross slipped through the mouth of the goal before anyone can touch Piatti almost gave the green light in the 70th minute by redirecting Laryea’s cross into the side net

But Pozuelo gave Toronto the lead fifteen minutes before the end when he was let loose on a deflected corner and steered the ball into the net Several Union players, including José Martinez, were caught watching the initial challenge which found Pozuelo with at least ten feet of grass between him and the closest defender Pozuelo’s goal was his 7th of the season, tied for the team lead with Akinola, and his fourth game in a row with a goal

« It was like slow motion, » Curtin said of the goal « You could see José, who scores Pozuelo, he wants to try to help the team and loses some discipline trying to win the ball Unfortunately, he bounces off the best player on the pitch « 

Przybylko had a good chance of shooting the Union even when he cut in and landed a shot at the far post, but the distance was too great and Westberg was able to dive to his left and smother the ball Piatti nearly added to Toronto’s lead minutes before the end when his well-hitting left-footed shot went wide. The Union replaced Andrew Wooten with Matt Real late in an attempt to press in the final minutes, and Przybylko’s strong header in extra time was the best chance in the end, but it went straight to Westberg on the line. goal

“We weren’t sharp enough against a very good team,” Curtin said. “Losing is hard, but it does happen, and the way you react now after a loss is what matters most « 

The Union is back in action against FC Cincinnati on Wednesday night at Subaru Park, in hopes of fixing the previous draw on the narrow grass pitch at Nippert Stadium

Line-ups: Philadelphia UnionBlake, Mbaizo, Glesnes, McKenzie, Real (Wooten 86 ‘), Martinez, Monteiro, Bedoya, Aaronson (Fontana 66’), Santos (Ilsinho 71 ‘), Przybylko

Toronto FCWestberg, Laryea, Gonzalez, Mavinga, Morrow (Gallacher 39 ‘), Delgado, Osorio, Piatti (Endoh 86’), Pozuello, Akinola (Mullins 86 ‘), Altidore (DeLeon 53’)

Toronto FC, Philadelphia Union, Alejandro Pozuelo, MLS, Toronto FC II, Ayo Akinola