



Toronto FC went into Saturday’s fixture at BMO Field trying to get a massive monkey off the team’s back. In addition to trying to keep burly forward and Reds nemesis Conor Casey off the score sheet, Toronto FC were endeavouring to clinch a spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time in the club’s history. With a win against the Union and favourable results in a pair of matches the Reds were set to clinch their first playoff berth in franchise history.



Having already won twice against the Union this year, TFC were looking to making it season sweep against a team coming off a heartbreaking loss in the U.S. Open Cup final midweek.



Following a vital win at home last weekend, Toronto FC gaffer Greg Vanney elected to make only one change to his starting eleven, with Brazilian speedster Jackson replacing Marky Delgado at right back.



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Is the stage set for TFC's first playoff appearance?

Toronto vs Philadelphia Union

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Playing amid cold, rainy and windy conditions, Toronto dominated the run of the play for the entirety of the first half as Union keeper Andrew Blake was the busiest player on the pitch while Reds shot stopper Chris Konopka essentially got to kick back and watch his beard grow.



Toronto opened the scoring in the 28th minute after Jozy Altidore won a free kick just outside the Union penalty area, with Giovinco stepping up and taking the ensuing dead ball and deflecting it into the back of the net off the Philadelphia wall.



TFC came close to doubling their lead in the 32nd minute when Giovinco delivered a dangerous chip shot to the far post that was just outside of the reach of a sliding Robbie Findley.



Giovinco tested Blake with a brilliant free kick in the 43rd minute, with the Union keeper making an equally brilliant diving save to keep his side in the match.



The Second Half



Toronto came close to scoring in the 49th minute on a nice turn and save by Jozy Altidore that required another big save by Blake.



The Reds broke through and scored a second goal in the 63rd minute after some determined saw Jackson win the ball back after the Reds looked to have lost their offensive thrust. The Brazilian fullback tapped it wide to Marky Delgado, who delivered a well place ball into Altidore in the box, with the U.S. International showing nice composure and skill to put the ball past Blake into the back of the net.



With Toronto looking fully in control, the Union came alive and pulled one back in the 66th minute on a set piece of their own, with midfielder Cristian Maidana delivering a free kick into the Reds box that 6’5 Union defender Steven Vitoria got on the end of and headed into the back of the TFC net.



The Union showed excellent character and energy to make a game of it for the remainder of the second half, as they made Toronto work for the win and likely put a scare in the BMO Field faithful. The Reds ultimately put the game away for good in second half injury time when Jonathan Osorio saw his cross through the Union redirected into the back of the Philadelphia net by Union defender Richie Marquez for an own goal.



With Toronto having got the job done at home once again, the club and their supporters were now in waiting mode to see if Montreal could defeat the Union later in the evening to clinch a playoff spot for the first time in TFC history.

Seba sending love to @BlueJays & @LILBTHEBASEDGOD #TFCLive pic.twitter.com/zqw8Ovd8s9 — Toronto FC (@torontofc) October 3, 2015

Man of the Match



Jonathan Osorio

The Canadian International delivered a dazzling performance in this match, as the Toronto native outdid Giovinco with multiple instances of fantastic dribbling and footwork. Osorio linked up well with his teammates, defended well and played a key role in keeping the Union pinned back in their end for the majority of the game.



Toronto FC Line-up



1 Chris Konopka

2 Justin Morrow

24 Damien Perquis

23 Josh Williams

11 Jackson

4 Michael Bradley

8 Benoit Cheyrou

21 Jonathan Osorio

55 Robbie Findley

17 Jozy Altidore

10 Sebastian Giovinco



Substitutions: Marky Delgado for Robbie Findley (46’); Collen Warner for Jozy Altidore (82’). Who is your Man of the Match?

