The Philadelphia Union came within a few minutes of capturing the MLS Cup title last season.
At this stage of the regular season, they are looking to simply come up with consistency and a much-needed victory.
Over their last three games, the Union have posted a scoreless tie against Sporting Kansas City, a 1-0 loss to FC Cincinnati and a 2-2 draw against the Chicago Fire. The winless stretch reached five games overall with previous losses to CF Montreal and Orlando City SC.
The Union (2-4-2, 8 points) will look to regain some positive momentum when they host Toronto FC on Saturday at Chester, Pa.
While the Union have advanced to the CONCACAF Champions League semifinals, they need three points in league play — especially at home.
The Union have struggled with questionable penalties and bad bounces like the own goal off Jakob Glesnes against Chicago.
“The own goal you can’t put as anyone’s fault,” Union head coach Jim Curtin said. “It’s just one of those plays where it just goes a little haywire. The first goal, I think we have three or four guys that could do a little better to prevent the ball coming all the way across the back post.”
Daniel Gazdag and Julian Carranza each scored in the draw against the Fire.
It’s unclear if standout left back Kai Wagner will return to the starting lineup following an injury.
Toronto FC (1-1-6, 9 points) has been competitive throughout the early part of the season but doesn’t have much to show for it.
Toronto FC has played to four straight draws against the San Jose Earthquakes (0-0), Charlotte FC (2-2), Nashville SC (0-0) and Atlanta United (2-2) last Saturday.
Brandon Servania scored in stoppage time to salvage the draw against Atlanta United FC. Lorenzo Insigne returned as a late substitute following a groin injury.
“We need to just get him some time so that it adds up more so that he’s more dynamic and that he’s the full package of what Lorenzo could bring,” Toronto FC head coach Bob Bradley said. “So we have to keep getting him pushed along in training.”
Toronto FC captain Michael Bradley started the game on the bench after informing the club he didn’t believe that he was fully healthy. Bradley had made 298 appearances for Toronto FC in all competitions before the draw and had started the club’s last 42 league games – last sitting out in Atlanta on Oct. 30, 2021.
Bradley had played every minute of the previous seven games this season.
–Field Level Media