The Philadelphia Union will set out to stretch their unbeaten streak to eight matches when they travel north of the border for a Wednesday clash with Toronto FC.
Philadelphia (9-3-3, 30 points) sits atop the Eastern Conference standings and has not dropped a match since a 1-0 defeat to New York City FC on April 12 (5-0-2 since).
The Union travel to Toronto following a 3-3 draw with Inter Miami last Friday, looking to improve on their 4-2-0 away record this season.
“(Toronto is) an aggressive team; they have a very competitive midfield. (Jonathan) Osorio brings a bit of experience there, too, and they’re very dangerous on the flanks,” Philadelphia coach Bradley Carnell said.
Carnell confirmed that goalkeeper Andre Blake has been cleared to rejoin the team after missing four matches with a knee injury.
Against Miami, Tai Baribo scored twice for the Union to increase his MLS-best goal total to 13.
Toronto took four of a possible six points (1-0-1) in two meetings with Philadelphia last season, playing to a 0-0 draw on May 29 before winning 2-1 in Toronto on July 13.
Toronto (3-8-4, 13 points) sits 14th in the Eastern Conference and is 1-5-2 at home this season. The Reds enter Wednesday’s match following a 2-1 home loss to Nashville SC on Saturday.
Osorio returned from a shoulder injury and scored his 50th career goal with Toronto in the loss to Nashville.
The Reds have just one win in their last three outings, but the Reds’ captain believes the club is in a better position than their record indicates.
“At some point, you got to get results, but the team is improving its play, and that’s a positive,” Osorio said.
“We can’t waste any games going forward. We have a lot of ground to cover.”
Saturday is the first of two matches between the Eastern Conference clubs this season. The Union and Reds conclude the season series on Aug. 9 at Philadelphia.
–Field Level Media
