The Philadelphia Union will take place to stretch its undefeated sequence at eight games when they travel north of the border for a confrontation Wednesday with the Toronto FC.
Philadelphia (9-3-3, 30 points) is at the top of the Eastern Conference classification and has not abandoned a match since a 1-0 defeat against the New York City FC on April 12 (5-0-2 since).
The union went to Toronto after a 3-3 draw with Inter Miami last Friday, seeking to improve its 4-2-0 record outside this season.
“(Toronto is) an aggressive team; they have a very competitive midfielder. (Jonathan) Osorio also brings a little experience there, and they are very dangerous on the sides,” said the coach of Philadelphia, Bradley Carnell.
Carnell confirmed that goalkeeper Andre Blake was authorized to join the team after missing four games with a knee injury.
Against Miami, Tai Baribo scored twice for the union to increase his best MLS goal to 13.
Toronto won four of the six possible points (1-0-1) in two meetings with Philadelphia last season, playing with 0-0 on May 29 before winning 2-1 in Toronto on July 13.
Toronto (3-8-4, 13 points) is 14th at the Eastern Conference and is 1-5-2 at home this season. The Reds enter Wednesday’s match after a home defeat 2-1 against Nashville SC on Saturday.
Osorio returned from a shoulder injury and scored his 50th career goal with Toronto in defeat against Nashville.
The Reds have only one victory in their last three outings, but the Reds captain thinks that the club is in a better position than their file indicates.
“At one point, you need to get results, but the team improves their game, and it’s a positive,” said Osorio.
“We cannot waste any match in the future. We have a lot of field to cover.”
Saturday is the first of the two matches between the clubs of the Eastern Conference this season. The Union and the Reds conclude the series of the season on August 9 in Philadelphia.
– field level media