Will the Union turn it round against Toronto FC?
By John Bancroft
PPL PARK, Chester, Penn.
May 2, 2015
Here it is almost May and the Philadelphia Union are not in in a good way, anemic at best.
This is a club with just one win, five losses, and three draws. It’s the second worst in the MLS and this week they face Toronto FC another Eastern Team struggling to find identity after surviving six straight road games.
Toronto though ended a string of losses with their 2-0 triumph in Orlando.
The fans are tired of explanations and excuses and there is a myriad of them. The starters just haven’t been doing the job. Just look at Andrew Wenger and Sebastien Le Toux. Between them have combined for no goals and just two assists.
And the midfield which has had high expectations has been fraught with injuries and suspensions. This is not a team and in this week’s game they have to reach down deep and find some pride to become one.
What Curtin does this week could spell a difference. He needs to push these individuals in a direction to make them into a team. He might not have much more time to prove he can. Last week the Union suffered a stinging 4-1 defeat at Columbus Crew SC while TFC were hopping back on the winning trail.
History however favours the Union who have won thew last three-games against Toronto FC.
Hope rests on CJ Sapong and Erik Ayuk. Those two as wide forwards playing off Fernando Aristiguieta (if available) will force Toronto to keep numbers back and maybe give the midfield a chance.
PHILADELPHIA UNION
OUT: M Eric Bird (hernia repair recovery)
OUT: F Antoine Hoppenot (left hamstring strain)
QUESTIONABLE: F Fernando Aristeguieta (left quad strain)
QUESTIONABLE: M Vincent Nogueira (right ankle sprain
TORONTO FC
OUT: D Clement Simonin (right knee surgery, DNP 4/18) OUT FOR SEASON
OUT: D Steven Caldwell (achilles injury, DNP 4/18) – QUESTIONALBE
OUT: D Mark Bloom (quadriceps strain, DNP 4/18) – QUESTIONABLE
