Toronto FC 3, Philadelphia Union 0 | 2017 MLS Match Recap

Dave Zeitlin

Toronto FC continued to cement their place as the league’s best team.

Fueled by first-half set-piece goals from Sebastian Giovinco and Nicolas Hasler and a second-half strike from Jozy Altidore, the red-hot Reds rolled to a 3-0 rout of the overmatched Philadelphia Union on Wednesday night at BMO Field.

Alex Bono added a couple of nice saves to earn his seventh shutout for Toronto FC (15-3-8), who won their third straight and improved to 10-0-3 at home while extending their lead in the Supporters’ Shield race to seven points over New York City FC.

The ninth-place Union (8-12-6) are now winless in their last three and a woeful 1-8-4 on the road this year.

TFC enjoying historic pace but not looking ahead

Goals

10' — TOR — Sebastian Giovinco WATCH
30' — TOR — Nicolas Hasler WATCH
57' — TOR — Jozy Altidore WATCH

Three Things

BEST EVER?
Toronto FC narrowly missed scoring four goals in three straight home games for the first time ever. But they’re still chasing plenty of history as they remained on pace to become just the fourth team in MLS history to average two points per game for an entire season. With 53 points, they’re also 15 behind the 1998 LA Galaxy for the most ever, with eight games left. If they keep blowing out opponents as they did, there are
some more records
they can chase as the season winds down. Oh and speaking of best ever, the superstar Giovinco has now scored in six of the seven games he’s ever played against the Union.

TFC are now 15-3-8 with a +27 goal differential. Only 3 teams (1998 LA, 2014 LA, 2012 SJ) have finished with a better season-long goal diff.
— Matthew Doyle (@MattDoyle76) August 24, 2017

HASLER’S HEADING PROWESS: The fact that free-kick maestro Giovinco scored on a beautiful free kick is not surprising. Nor is it surprising that Altidore scored his 10th goal of the season thanks to some terrific combo play with Victor Vazquez. A more unpredictable boost for TFC is Hasler scoring on his second header in as many games. Head coach Greg Vanney may not be counting on the new Liechtenstein fullback, acquired in this summer’s transfer window, to keep providing that kind of offensive punch. But Hasler's certainly looking like he could be another important player on a TFC team that boasts a far deeper roster than in past years.

PHILLY PLAYOFF HOPES CRUMBLING: Things seem to be getting away from the Union, who are closer to the bottom of the Eastern Conference than they are to the red line. Not even reigning MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Andre Blake, back after missing eight games due to the Gold Cup and a hand injury, could help turn the tide as the Union were dominated in Toronto, finishing with only two shots on goal and less than 40 percent of the possession. One more sobering stat: they’ve now lost by a 3-0 scoreline in every other game since July 29.

Next Up

TOR: Sunday, Aug. 27 at Montreal Impact (4:30 pm ET | ESPN, ESPN Deportes in US, TSN 1/4/5 in Canada)
PHI: Saturday, Aug. 26 vs. Atlanta United FC (7 pm ET | MLS LIVE)

Dave Zeitlin -

@DaveZeitlin

Philadelphia Union Toronto FC