CHESTER, PA. – Sergio Santos stepped up big for the Philadelphia Union as only one team showed up in this game. This was Philadelphia who did not let up all game. As a result, the Union is now the current leader of the Supporters’ Shield because of goal differential. They have also ended Toronto FC’s nine-game unbeaten run.
Sergio Santos and the Philadelphia Union destroy Toronto FC 5-0
Three keys to the game
Philadelphia Union took complete control of the game
The Union had 27 shots on goal and 12 on target. That is all that needs to be said about how dominant the Union was. They were dominating TFC and were not allowing them to settle their offence.
Their first goal came in the 27’ minute when Sergio Santos’ scored his first of three goals for the Union on Saturday. Credit should also be given to Jose Martinez and Kai Wegner who assisted in Santos’ first goal.
Beautiful by Brujo.
Beautiful by Kai.
𝘽𝙀-𝙔𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙊-𝙩𝙞𝙛𝙪𝙡 by Sergio!#DOOP | #PHIvTOR 0 – 1 pic.twitter.com/lj2WDjqv8n— X – PhilaUnion (@PhilaUnion) October 25, 2020
Then in the 33′ minute, Kacper Przybylko made a terrific header assist from a Union cross. As a result, Mark McKenzie scored the second goal for Philadelphia in the 33′ minute. TFC goalkeeper Quentin Westberg could have saved the shot on goal. However, with the pace of play, the Union was bound to score a second goal eventually.
Now THAT'S how ya use your head
#DOOP | #PHIvTOR 2 – 0 | @markmckenzie4_ pic.twitter.com/VR0hfPx5bL
— X – PhilaUnion (@PhilaUnion) October 25, 2020
They would add three more goals in the second half. This includes two goals for Sergio Santos, to end the game with a 5-0 win.
Toronto FC defence was sluggish
TFC was not sharp on defence today. This was quite a surprise as Toronto blocked five of Atlanta’s six shots in their previous game. In this game, the Union had 27 shots, in which TFC only blocked six shots. There were also giving up the ball too much to Philadelphia.
An example would be the Union’s third goal. A TFC giveaway resulted in a Jamiro Monteiro goal in the 56-minute. As a result, the game was 3-0 in favour of the home side and was probably the goal that gave the Union the win. There was no way TFC could come back from a 3-0 deficit.
My, my, Monteiro, SMASHING it in off the crossbar
pic.twitter.com/KJhQzifyrb
— X – PhilaUnion (@PhilaUnion) October 25, 2020
Then in Santos’ hat-trick goal, Brenden Aaronson made a good run and passed it to Santos for his hat-trick goal to make it 5-0 in the 68-minute. Aaronson ran at a fast pace before passing the ball to Santos. However, the pass to the middle of Toronto’s box was too easy for Philadelphia. There was no TFC defender close to Santos in the middle of TFC’s box.
He really said
#DOOP | #PHIvTOR 5 – 0 pic.twitter.com/iI0oIG8F7c
— X – PhilaUnion (@PhilaUnion) October 25, 2020
The Philadelphia Union only allowed Toronto FC one-shot on goal
The Philadelphia Union took complete control of TFC. Toronto did not have a shot on goal in the first half and had only one shot on goal in the second half. This shot on goal came in the 77’ minute when Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty’s shot was saved by Union goalkeeper Andre Blake.
Furthermore, Philadelphia blocked two of TFC’s three shots. This meant that Toronto had no chance to catch up to Philadelphia, who scored five goals in the game.
What is even more impressive is Philadelphia’s possession of the ball. Against Toronto, a team that generally has the advantage in possession, Philadelphia had 60 percent possession in the first half.
60% possession and a 2-0 lead after the first! Lookin' for more of the same in the final 45' #DOOP | #PHIvTOR 2 – 0 pic.twitter.com/J2i3Xci72K
— X – PhilaUnion (@PhilaUnion) October 25, 2020
Sergio Santos hat-trick and the Philadelphia Union’s win overview
This was probably TFC’s worst game of the 2020 MLS season. They never looked that outplayed even when they lost to New York City FC in the MLS is Back Tournament 3-1. It looked like TFC could not get to Philadelphia’s half of the field and were generating almost no chances throughout the game. Credit though should be given to the Union.
They played a fast-paced game and never allowed Toronto to rest for a second. It was really a world-class performance by the Union. In the end, the Union and TFC are now level with 41 points each in the Eastern Conference.
However, the Union has a better goal differential than TFC, which means Philadelphia is now the current Supporters’ Shield leaders. The Union is also undefeated at Subaru Park this year.
UNDEFEATED AT SUBARU PARK
— X – PhilaUnion (@PhilaUnion) October 25, 2020
UNDEFEATED AT SUBARU PARKThere is, unfortunately, some more bad news for TFC. Pablo Piatti, who scored the game-winner against Atlanta got injured in training on Friday.
In addition, Auro Jr. got a yellow card in the 10’ minute. As a result, Auro Jr. has been suspended from appearing in Wednesday’s game against NYCFC because of caution accumulation. This is not good news for a team that has already been riddled with injuries this year.
There is still a lot to play for though. The Supporters’ Shield race is far from over. Both teams have three games remaining in the 2020 MLS season.
TFC will finish the month at home in Hartford against NYCFC on October 28, and will also host Inter Miami CF on November 1. They will then travel to Red Bull Arena to face the New York Red Bulls on November 8.
This is while the Union will host the Chicago Fire on October 28. They will then face Columbus Crew SC on November 1 on the road. Lastly, they will close their 2020 MLS season at home against the New England Revolution on November 8.
We’ll move on. Quickly.@ricohcanada | #PHIvTOR | #TFCLive pic.twitter.com/oUz4Iinarw
— Toronto FC (@TorontoFC) October 25, 2020
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