Philadelphia Union are set to begin a two-game road trip with a midweek match against Toronto FC, following a scoreless draw at home against D.C. United, according to an April 21 update from the team.
The upcoming fixture is significant as the Union look to improve their standing in Major League Soccer, where they currently share the lowest point total in the league with four points. The club’s focus remains on collecting points and building momentum after achieving their first clean sheet of the season during Saturday’s draw.
Toronto FC, Wednesday’s opponent, is sixth in the Eastern Conference and recently extended their unbeaten streak to six matches with a 3-3 tie against Austin FC. An equalizer by Kobe Franklin marked him as Toronto’s eighth different goal scorer this year. Josh Sargent, who joined Toronto from Norwich City earlier this season as a Designated Player, has contributed one goal and one assist over just more than 300 minutes played.
Union centerback Japhet Sery Larsen said after Saturday’s game: “That’s really important. You secure one point, at least, if you keep a clean sheet, and we’ve been struggling with that during the season. So, I’m really pleased we managed to do that.” He added: “We have to build from here. We know how much quality we have within the squad, so we’ve got to show it. It’s up to us. It doesn’t come easy right now. We have to dig hard and dig deep to get the points. We’re quite lucky that there’s already a new game on Wednesday.”
Philadelphia Union operates as a professional soccer team in Major League Soccer focused on representing Philadelphia while fostering fan involvement and community ties according to the official website. The club features professional players on its main roster according to its official website and provides matches along with tickets for supporters seeking competitive entertainment according to its official website. The team’s facilities include Subaru Park in Chester—a waterfront soccer-specific stadium—alongside training centers and practice fields according to its official site. In 2020, Philadelphia Union achieved Major League Soccer’s Supporters’ Shield for best regular-season performance as reported by its official website.
This week presents one of Philadelphia’s most congested schedules of the year; after facing Toronto on Wednesday night at BMO Field—the site of last year’s dramatic comeback win—they will travel again for another away match against Columbus Crew.
