From Reverse to Neutral at Subaru Park — Union Draw 0-0

The Philadelphia Union stopped a four-game home losing streak with a nil-nil draw against Toronto FC on Wednesday night.

Toronto FC came to Chester, PA Wednesday night looking to add to the Philadelphia Union’s home misery of 2024. The Union had lost their previous four straight at Subaru Park, a first in team history, but entered Wednesday’s contest fresh off a nil-nil draw at Charlotte. Toronto’s most recent fixture was a much more wild Saturday affair, as they suffered a home loss in stoppage time to FC Cincinnati 4-3.

From the opening shriek of referee Rubiel Vazquez’s whistle, the Philadelphia Union seemed extremely spirited. Playing without Julian Carranza, though the reason why is a topic of discussion, Jim Curtin‘s men up top were able to press the Toronto defense and then maintain good possession after winning back the ball. For the first twenty minutes, it looked like the Union’s old home form was starting to come back.

Toronto FC started to find their footing around the twenty-minute mark and created the first big scoring chance in the 27th minute. Federico Bernardeschi found Derrick Etienne Jr. in the center of the goal about 6 yards out. His left-footed shot/redirect into the bottom left corner was parried away at the last moment by the right mitt of Oliver Semmle for a corner kick.

For the remainder of the half both teams produced some decent build-up and mini chances, though they were usually blocked or missed, until late in the first half. Federico Bernardeschi, who had a hat trick in the last MLS game he played, was served a gift by teammate Jonathan Osorio but he lifted his left-footed shot slightly and scraped it over the crossbar from the center of the six-yard box. Bernardeschi, who was coming back after serving a one-game ban, also used a great individual effort in the 2nd half to shoot across goal, just wide, using the outside of his left boot from the right side.

The Union found some early second-half pressure in the 49th minute. A giveaway allowed Kai Wagner to tee up a ball for Alejandro Bedoya to meet with a header. Sean Johnson, the 15-year MLS veteran came up with a huge save, getting over quickly to get his body behind the ball and push it away. That opportunity led to better pressure for the Union, Quinn Sullivan bending a right-footed shot just wide in the 52nd and Nathan Harriel missing high over the bar from the top of the 18 in the 55th.

Toronto threatened to add to the Union’s home losing streak late, after the 80th minute, as the right-footed attempts of both Bernardeschi and Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty were both stopped from the right-hand side by Semmle.

The Union has struggled to put all facets together at once this year. They kept a clean sheet for the third straight game and appeared to be in better form defensively at times but they have not scored in two games and the home results drastically need to improve. They are winless in the last five games at home and under Jim Curtin that thought was once unfathomable.

The Union’s next chance to remedy the homesickness will be Saturday, June 1 versus Montreal. Gametime is 7:30 from Subaru Park.

Use code PHILLYSPORTSREPORT for $20 off your first SeatGeek order

Click here to save 10% on any order at FOCO