In the first of two meetings between these sides in MLS this season, the Philadelphia Union aim to maintain their narrow lead atop the Eastern Conference table when they travel to BMO Field to face Toronto on Wednesday.
Over the weekend the Reds were beaten 2-1 by Nashville SC putting them 14th in their conference, while the Union are a point above FC Cincinnati for first after playing to a 3-3 draw with Inter Miami.
Match preview
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Playing in front of their home fans has been a struggle for Toronto in 2025, as they failed to win yet another match that was there for the taking last weekend.
Robin Fraser's men have lost five league fixtures already this season at BMO Field, four of which were by just a single goal.
They have lost four of their previous five domestic affairs on home soil, and another defeat in midweek would mark their longest such stretch in the competition this year.
Part of the reason for their home woes stems from a lack of quality in the attacking third, with the Reds netting a combined two goals in Toronto after seven league contests this season.
The Reds are 2-0 in league play this year when leading at the half but have won just one of their six matches played in 2025 when tied at the interval, defeating DC United 2-0.
Toronto have not lost a home game versus Philly this decade, winning the previous three home meetings against them in MLS play.
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The Union have been among the most entertaining sides to watch in MLS this year, with four or more goals scored in five of their regular-season games.
Bradley Carnell's men have usually come out on the winning end of those matches, but last weekend they dropped points from a winning position for the second time this month.
They lead the league with 30 goals scored after 15 matchdays, netting three or more times on six occasions in this competition.
Philly have won four away matches this year and would equal their total number of triumphs as the visitors from the entire 2024 regular season with another one on Wednesday.
Claiming a victory in this upcoming game would also surpass their longest winning run in this competition from 2024 (two matches) and equal their longest winning streak as the visitors from 2023.
A 2-1 win at CF Montreal earlier this month was the Union's first in league play on Canadian soil since March 2022, when they beat Le CFM by that same score.
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Team News
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On the injury front, Toronto were without Raoul Petretta, Deandre Kerr and Kobe Franklin this past weekend with ankle issues, while Markus Cimermancic, Richie Laryea and Nicksoen Gomis were all sidelined with lower body injuries.
Two more Reds' players will have to sit out of this midweek clash, with Kosi Thompson and Federico Bernardeschi suspended through yellow card accumulation.
Jonathan Osorio returned from the injury front, scoring in second-half stoppage time for TFC against Nashville, which ultimately proved to be in vain.
Three Union players missed their match against the Herons, with Andre Blake, Neil Pierre and Ian Glavinovich all suffering from knee injuries.
Meanwhile, Markus Anderson was sidelined for that clash with an ankle injury, which he has been dealing with since the start of the season.
Tai Baribo netted a brace the last time out, giving him the MLS Golden Boot lead with 13, and Quinn Sullivan also found the back of the net.
Toronto possible starting lineup:
Johnson; Wingo, Monlouis, Long, Stefanovic; Flores, Longstaff; Osorio, Insigne, Corbeanu; Brynhildsen
Philadelphia Union possible starting lineup:
Rick; Harriel, Glesnes, Mbaizo, Wagner; Q. Sullivan, Jacques, Bueno, Vassilev; Damiani, Baribo
We say: Toronto 0-2 Philadelphia Union
The Reds cannot seem to find that extra bit of energy in close games, and without Bernardeschi, goals may be hard to come by for the home team against a side with a prolific striker like Baribo, arguably the best marksman in the league.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joel Lefevre
