TORONTO, ON – Toronto FC improves its unbeaten run to four games. They did not play perfectly in their unbeaten run. However, they are now consistently getting results with a 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Union. This was no easy feat, as Philadelphia had not lost a game this year until yesterday against TFC.
Toronto FC improves its unbeaten run
Three keys to the game
Full Game Summary:#TFCLive goalkeeper, Alex Bono, made some key saves in the second half.#DOOP did not take advantage of their scoring chances.
Alejandro Pozuelo’s highlight-reel goal gave Toronto FC the win. #TORvPHI | 2-1 | #MLS
— Last Word on Soccer (@LastWordSC) April 17, 2022
First half
Jack Elliott had a clear shot on goal in the fourth minute thanks to a great cross following a corner from Julián Carranza.
However, Elliott missed the net. Carranza of the Union had an open net to score but was unable to get the ball into the back of the net. Credit for the pass was to Kai Wagner, who was aware of Carranza. Toronto FC gave up too many corners throughout the game. Alex Bono made the easy save in the eighth minute.
Alejandro Pozuelo was picked off in the 10-minute. Jayden Nelson’s shot in the 17-minute was stopped by the Union goalkeeper. Nelson got a yellow card in the 19-minute with a hard tackle. He was fortunate to not get a red card early in the game. Jacob Shaffelburg’s shot had deflected off a Union player and created a corner in the 25-minute.
Kadin Chung delivered a terrific pass to Jayden Nelson, whose turnaround shot was skied high in the 27-minute. Alejandro Pozuelo got a yellow card in the 30-minute. Jimenez made a good defensive play in the 31-minute of play. Nelson then made a pass to Pozuelo. Pozuelo’s shot was spectacularly stopped by Andrew Blake.
34’ #DOOP scores! Mikael Uhre delivers a great cross as Julián Carranza heads the ball into the net! #MajorLeagueSoccer#TORvPHI | 0-1 | #MLSpic.twitter.com/owDxa3eclQ
— Last Word on Soccer (@LastWordSC) April 17, 2022
Mikael Uhre delivered a great cross to Julián Carranza, who headed the ball into the back of the net. There is a debate whether the goal was offside or not. It might have been offside, but the goal was given. It also showed how vulnerable Toronto was from set-pieces yesterday.
39’ What a brilliant goal by #TFCLive! Jesús Jiménez scored with maybe the goal of the week! Jonathan Osorio also did well to set up Jiménez! #TorontoFC#TORvPHI | 1-1 | #MLSpic.twitter.com/FdXxvITbjI
— Raheem (@bashirra) April 17, 2022
Jesús Jiménez and Jonathan Osorio worked together perfectly in order to make the goal happen. The passes made between the two players allowed the scoring chance to happen. Also, Jiménez’s strike was terrific and was the reason why the game was tied at the end of the first half.
Second half
51’ An incredible individual play by #TFCLive’s Alejandro Pozuelo! He got past #DOOP’s defence and beat the Philadelphia Union’s goalkeeper, Andre Blake! #MajorLeagueSoccer#TORvPHI | 2-1 | #MLSpic.twitter.com/7VV13d7DHL
— Raheem (@bashirra) April 17, 2022
This was a highlight-reel goal. Alejandro Pozuelo’s individual brilliance to get past Philadelphia’s defence and beat goalkeeper Andre Blake gave Toronto the go-ahead goal. Unfortunately, a few minutes later, Jonathan Osorio went down without much contact and was replaced by Kosi Thompson.
Bono stood up and made an excellent save in the 60-minute. Bono made a terrific save in the 61-minute from another Uhre shot, who made the save with his feet.
Shane O’Neill made a good defensive play in the 66-minute. However, Jack McGlynn’s dangerous shot in the 76-minute just missed the target and almost resulted in Philadelphia tying the game.
O’Neill made a terrific defensive tackle in the 78-minute. This was followed up by Kosi Thompson’s great defensive play in the 78-minute. Shaffelburg prevented the cross from coming in the 90+6-minute of play. The Union’s Jakob Glesnes’s header was off-target late in the game. That was also the last play of the game at BMO Field.
Toronto FC is now piling up the wins
OH WE ROLLIN’ NOW 🚂🚂🚂#TORvPHI | #TFCLive pic.twitter.com/rE8o2kZWQk
— Toronto FC (@TorontoFC) April 17, 2022
Toronto FC is playing well with yet another win and this time against the top team in the Eastern Conference. It is unfortunate though that Jonathan Osorio got injured and hopefully he gets a speedy recovery.
Also, Jayden Nelson had an excellent game but was subbed out after the first half. His tackle in the first half almost got him the red card. It was also a bit similar to the tackle Carlos Salcedo did against the New York Red Bulls.
In terms of the game itself, TFC has shown moments of brilliance. They at times also showed the ability to defend. However, they have to work on their ability to defend set-pieces. Early on in the game, the Union had two clear-cut chances to score but did not capitalize on their scoring chance. It was also Bob Bradley’s 200th MLS win as head coach of an MLS team.
Schedule for both teams
TFC will now play at Citi Field Stadium on Sunday, April. 24 at 5:00 p.m. ET. The game will be shown on the YES Network. Then Toronto will play on Saturday, April. 30 at 3:00 p.m. ET on STAR 64. Both games will be televised nationally on TSN.
This is while the Union plays at Subaru Park against CF Montréal at 3:00 p.m. ET. The game takes place on Saturday, April. 23 and will be shown on TVA Sports PHL17 and TSN. They will then play on Sunday, May. 1 on the road at GEODIS Park against Nashville SC.
Three takeaways: Toronto FC gets an important win
Game is Over:@TorontoFC 2@PhilaUnion 1#TFCLive gave the #DOOP their first loss of the 2022 #MLS season. #TheyWillSeeRed also extends their unbeaten run to four games and winning streak at #BMOField to three games.
— Raheem (@bashirra) April 17, 2022
The Philadelphia Union did not take advantage of their scoring opportunities. Toronto FC’s defence did not look sharp against the Union, especially early on. This was especially true early on as Philadelphia had two golden opportunities to score, but was unable to capitalize.
Two brilliant goals allowed Toronto FC to improve its winning streak to three straight games at BMO Field. Alejandro Pozuelo and Jesus Jimenez scored two highlight-reel goals. The Jimenez goal was incredibly well-struck while Pozuelo’s goal was one of individual brilliance.
Shane O’Neill played well defensively. The TSN commentators mentioned how well O’Neill defended against Philadelphia. Examples of this can be seen in the 66 and 78-minute of play.
