The Philadelphia Union will travel to Toronto to take on Toronto FC at BMO Field on Saturday afternoon, still reeling from Wednesday's penalty shootout loss versus Sporting Kansas City in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final.
Buoyed by the recent news of CEO Nick Sakiewicz's sacking after a tumultuous several years, Jim Curtin and the Union will look to steady the ship with a win versus Toronto FC and their red hot Designated Player, Sebastian Giovinco.
The Union is 0-2 so far this season vs. Toronto FC with Giovinco being the difference maker in both affairs. The first, a 1-0 victory for Toronto at PPL Park on May 2nd following a sublime Giovinco free kick and next a 2-1 victory for Toronto at BMO Field with goals from Marky Delgado, Giovinco, and Conor Casey.
Sitting in 5th place in the Eastern conference, Toronto could leapfrog D.C. United into 4th with a victory versus Philadelphia on the night.
As for Philadelphia, the Union sits in 9th place in the Eastern Conference, eight points behind Montreal who occupy the last playoff spot, while the Canadian side has two games in hand. Overall it's safe to say it's unlikely, but not mathematically impossible that Philadelphia make the playoffs. However, a win would draw them level with local "rivals" New York City FC for 8th place, just behind on goal differential.
Both teams are in relatively good form going into the match and matchups between the two Eastern Conference sides have traditionally been quite close.
Toronto FC are on a two game winning streak following victories against Colorado and Chicago, having put up three goals in both matches, including one from each of their designated players in the victory against Chicago. Philadelphia have managed a victory versus Houston and an away draw versus New England in their previous two matches, having fielded a second string side versus the Revolution prior to the Open Cup Final.
Despite their attacking prowess, Toronto have been shaky defensively all season, having conceded 52 goals in 30 matches and only keeping five clean sheets all season. The Union will look to exploit defensive misgivings if they're to win Saturday's match.
As for Philadelphia, despite conceding 48 goals this season the defense has solidified in recent weeks, having in part settled on their best back four, despite rotating keepers semi-regularly. The story, more so for the Union, is the growing influence of Designated Player Tranquillo Barnetta. The Swiss international seems to have formed an admirable partnership with midfield duo Christian Maidana and Sebastian Le Toux, and the trio has often interchanged positions throughout matches since Barnetta's arrival from Schalke FC on July 29th.
Overall, the Union is 5-4-4 in the regular season vs. Toronto having swept the Canadian side in back to back matches following the appointment of Greg Vanney last season.
Defender/midfielder Warren Creavalle will be itching to see the field against his former side, having been traded to the Union on August 7th of this year. The Georgia born midfielder, has been a solid yet unspectacular substitute and rotation player since arriving in Chester and may start, having not seen the field against Kansas City, if Coach Curtin decides to rest some tired legs.
Key Players
Philadelphia: Tranquillo Barnetta and Fabinho
As previously mentioned, Barnetta's influence on the team is increasing and he'll be the team's main playmaker should Maidana have another off night. Despite only one goal and two assists in eight appearances so far this season, the Swiss international has created at least one chance per game (nice in total) as per Squawka statistics.
As for Fabinho, the Brazilian fullback has been much maligned earlier in the season and in previous years, but seems to be playing some of the best soccer of his Union career in the second half of the season. The Brazilian has one goal and two assists in league play (as well as another goal and several assists in the Open Cup), and leads the team in total clearances, blocks, and interceptions with 160 and is second only to Maidana in crosses.
Toronto FC: Sebastian Giovinco and Marky Delgado
It seems as though we're beginning to run out of superlatives for the little Italian, affectionately known as the "Atomic Ant", Giovinco has recently set an MLS record for combined goals and assists in a single season with 35 and has consistently shown throughout this season just why Toronto spent the big bucks on him.
As for Delgado, the US-20 international as surpassed expectations. Few predicted he'd make as many appearances this season as he has, filling in for Michael Bradley and other throughout international weekends and injury, and even keeping his place in the side after the fact. The midfielder scored the opening goal in Toronto's 2-1 vs. Philadelphia earlier this season and overall has three goals and two assists in 17 appearances this season. He's also 5th in the team with 17 key passes, (one per game) and has 46 total clearances, blocks, and interceptions.
If history is set to repeat itself we're in for a tight but entertaining affair at BMO Field, but given Giovinco's current form, the Italian international may just continue to create a new story.