Match Preview - Toronto FC vs. Philadephia Union

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FanSided MLS

·22 April 2026

Match Preview - Toronto FC vs. Philadephia Union

After a high-scoring 3-3 draw against Austin FC last weekend, Toronto FC continues its April home stand at BMO Field. The Reds are looking to maintain their unbeaten streak, while a struggling Philadelphia Union side arrives in Ontario desperate to salvage a season that has gone off the rails early.

Who Are Ya? - Philadelphia Union

For years, the Philadelphia Union were the gold standard of MLS efficiency, built on a world-class academy and a "buy low, sell high" philosophy that led to massive success in 2025. However, the 2026 season has been a nightmare.

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Despite their recent pedigree, Philadelphia currently sits near the bottom of the Eastern Conference with just 4 points (1W-6L-1D). The primary cause has been a massive roster turnover; the club sold cornerstone defenders like Jakob Glesnes and Kai Wagner in the offseason, and their replacements have struggled to adapt. New club-record signing Ezekiel Alladoh has already faced disciplinary issues, and a defense that was once a fortress has leaked 12 goals in just 8 games. They recently secured their first clean sheet of the year in a 0-0 draw, providing a small glimmer of hope that the ship is finally steadying under second-year head coach Bradley Carnell.

Three Philadelphia Players to Watch

Cavan Sullivan: At just 16 years old, the American phenom is the player everyone is watching. His technical ability and vision are well beyond his years, and he is often the spark that initiates Philadelphia’s high-press transitions. He has been seeing more minutes recently and might be the key to creating more offense.
Andre Blake: Even during this rough patch, the three-time MLS Goalkeeper of the Year remains one of the best in the league. If Philadelphia leaves Toronto with points, it will likely be because Blake stood on his head to deny the TFC attack.
Danley Jean Jacques: The Haitian international has emerged as a vital anchor in the Philadelphia Union’s midfield. His 2026 stats highlight a high defensive work rate, featuring a significant volume of tackles and interceptions that help shield a backline currently in transition.

Let's TF-See: Toronto's Current Form

Toronto FC is enjoying a resurgence under the lights of BMO Field. The Reds are currently in 6th place in the East with 12 points and are riding a six-match unbeaten streak. If TFC manages to earn three points on Wednesday night they might move up to second place - if every team in front to them loses.

Toronto FC has turned BMO Field into a legitimate fortress so far in 2026, extending an impressive home unbeaten run that now spans 12 matches dating back to June 2025. This season, the Reds have embraced an "afternoon delight" strategy, with most of their early home fixtures kicking off at 1:00 PM to take advantage of the spring atmosphere. While they haven't always been perfect, they have been resilient; after a narrow 2-1 victory over Columbus in late March and a thrilling 3-2 comeback against Colorado to start April, the squad has proven they can find ways to grind out results in front of the South Terrace, regardless of the opponent.

However, that resilience has recently manifested in a bit of a "draw streak" that has left supporters with mixed emotions. TFC has split the points in their last two outings at BMO Field, following up a gritty 1-1 draw against FC Cincinnati with a chaotic 3-3 stalemate against Austin FC last Saturday. While the late heroics—including Kobe Franklin’s 88th-minute equalizer for his first MLS goal—have kept the six-match unbeaten streak alive, the lack of a clean sheet in April is a growing concern. As they head into a midweek clash with Philadelphia, the challenge will be turning these high-scoring draws back into three-point performances to climb higher in the Eastern Conference standings