The Philadelphia Union missed an opportunity to clinch an Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoff spot on Wednesday night, blowing an early lead to draw Toronto FC 2-2 at BMO Field.
Philadelphia drop one spot in the Eastern Conference table into third place and are narrowly clinging onto the potential of a home playoff date at Subaru Park with two games left to play.
Jim Curtin's side opened the scoring just 37 seconds after kickoff. Alejandro Bedoya received a layoff from Daniel Gazdag in the TFC box before beating Quentin Westberg with a low, hard shot to make it 1-0 Philadelphia less than a minute in. The goal was the second-fastest Union goal ever in MLS competition.
Philadelphia almost doubled their lead in the 63rd minute through Kacper Przybylko. Bedoya released fullback Kai Wagner down the left-hand side and he whipped in a cross to Przybylko – all alone in the TFC box – but the Polish striker's effort from point-blank range was denied by Westberg.
And the Union would rue that missed opportunity because moments later, Toronto made them pay. A loose ball deflected off TFC midfielder Noble Okello directly into the path of Jozy Altidore, and the American striker curled a left-footed strike past Matt Freese to tie the game at 1-1.
Four minutes later, Toronto FC took the lead. A low cross whipped in by Jacob Shaffelburg was deflected in by a sliding Jack Elliott for an own goal, making it 2-1.
However, the Union refused to go down without a fight and battled their way to an equalizer in the 77th minute. Wagner's cross found the head of Sergio Santos, and the Brazilian forward made no mistake, heading home to make it 2-2. The goal was Santos' sixth in six games against Toronto FC.
Przybylko had a golden opportunity to snag a late winner in the 80th minute after his run in-behind was found by Jack McGlynn. Przybylko brought the ball down with a deft touch and fired his strike past Westberg, but not the crossbar, as the match finished level.
Goals
Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE: Although they will rue the missed opportunity to pick up all three points away from home, with the Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs right around the corner, the Union are rounding into form at the right time. Philadelphia have now lost just one match in their last nine games – with five wins over that span – and will look to continue their strong run of play on Sunday when they host FC Cincinnati. TFC, meanwhile, remain in second-from-last place in the Eastern Conference table and will try and play spoiler the rest of the way, beginning Saturday against Atlanta United.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: Alejandro Bedoya's opener not only set the tone, but it was also the second-fastest Union goal in MLS competition.
- MAN OF THE MATCH: Kai Wagner had a strong performance Wednesday night. The left back delivered several quality crosses and registered assists on both of Philadelphia's goals.
Next Up
- TOR: Saturday, October 30 at Atlanta United | 6 pm ET (MLS LIVE on ESPN+; TSN4 in Canada)
- PHI: Sunday, October 31 vs. FC Cincinnati | 7:30 pm ET (MLS LIVE on ESPN+)
