Toronto – The last time the Philadelphia Union won in Toronto was May 11, 2019, so to say that BMO Field has not brought the best fortunes for the Union would be an understatement. On a night when the Union looked like the better side early on, they conceded a second-half goal that could have been the nail in the coffin in previous seasons. But this is 2025—and thanks to goals from Nathan Harriel and Kai Wagner, the Union came back to claim all three points on the road and keep their momentum going into the final weekend of May.

Philadelphia Union head coach Bradley Carnell praised his club during the post-match press conference.

“It was one of those nights, where it was zero-zero for much of the game, and nothing really going our way. But I thought we were excellent defensively. And, we give up one moment and get caught with with a long ball. You can see the game plan of Robin. The whole night was just trying to get in behind. And I thought we were excellent, first ball, second ball coming back in the game. I think everyone dug real deep, but we go a goal down against the run of play and against the run of control, and these things happen. And I’m really happy for the group that we could find a way to get back in the game. And we know we’re a real weapon with set piece delivery. And when you need a set piece to come out most, we delivered on the night. And then just through momentum and through sheer energy and commitment and belief and hunger, we find a way to win the game.”

Carnell’s starting eleven for Wednesday night’s contest looked like this: Union goalkeeper Andre Blake returned to the net for the first time since May 3. The back line featured Frankie Westfield, Jakob Glesnes, Nathan Harriel, and Kai Wagner. In midfield, Jesús Bueno started alongside Jovan Lukić, with Indiana Vassilev and Quinn Sullivan filling out the center. Tai Baribo and Bruno Damiani got the start up top.

Notable names on the bench included Danley Jean Jacques, Mikael Uhre, Olwethu Makhanya, and Alejandro Bedoya. All except Makhanya would see action later in the evening.

With Blake making his first start since the beginning of the month, Carnell shared his thoughts on the keeper’s performance.

“Dre had to get it out of his feet real quick at times and be connected at times. So, I thought he got better as the game went on and but Dre is a routine professional, it was important for him to get this game under his belt. He’s got a big month ahead of him. So, we’re happy to have got him this 90.”

Overall, Blake faced four shots on target and saved three, including several key stops to keep the match scoreless. He also showed the leadership expected from a three-time MLS Goalkeeper of the Year.

In the first half, Philadelphia kept Toronto in check and were unlucky not to open the scoring. Bruno Damiani had a chance in the 12th minute that forced a diving save from Toronto goalkeeper Sean Johnson. In the 20th minute, Jesús Bueno’s attempt went just wide. Later, Vassilev found himself wide open at the top of the box but failed to get a clean touch, shooting directly at Johnson.

Toronto began building momentum late in the half, and in the 42nd minute, a ball into the box found Jonathan Osorio, whose one-time effort was denied by a quick kick save from Blake. The rebound from Ola Brynhildsen sailed over the bar for a goal kick.

The Union had one last chance in first-half stoppage time when a Wagner cross found Bueno in the box, but his one-timed shot was again saved by Johnson. At halftime, Philadelphia had taken eight shots (three on target) compared to Toronto’s four (one on target). Toronto were lucky not to have conceded, and for Carnell’s squad, it was clear that the longer Toronto held on, the more the home side could tilt the game in their favor.

Both teams came out pressing for the opening goal after the break, and substitutions began to change the rhythm of the match. Danley Jean Jacques created a great chance for the Union in the 69th minute with a rocket from outside the box that forced Johnson into a flying save. Brynhildsen responded in the 71st minute with a shot that was saved by Blake despite contact in the box.

Toronto finally broke the deadlock in the 75th minute. A turnover by Quinn Sullivan in the offensive third sparked a Toronto counterattack. Brynhildsen beat Harriel and blasted a shot past Blake to make it 1–0.

But Harriel would get his redemption. In the 86th minute, a corner from Wagner found Harriel, who rose high and headed it into the back of the net to level the match. That marked Wagner’s seventh assist of the MLS season, tying him for second-most in the league. The Union’s 11th set-piece goal also leads MLS in that category.

“We’ve been very successful at set pieces as well. So I think it’s been a marriage of two different ideas, but with very similar results. So, we come in here, Frankie has a set way of working, but then to find the moment that works for us both. And we know the delivery of Quinn in to Kai, there’s just so many and then we’ve got, unassuming headers of the ball, like Frankie and Nate, and then all the rest of the the squad has got great timing in the air. So we have options, and we’re pretty creative with the way we use them. But nothing beats a good set piece delivery on the quality and the execution, and nothing beats the timing of the run. So and Frank is, we dedicate a lot of the time to it. We believe 30% of our goals should come from set pieces. I think we’re training a little bit higher than that this season, but we’ll take it.”

Wagner wasn’t done. In the 92nd minute, he took a shot from outside the box that deflected off a Toronto defender and bounced into the net to give Philadelphia the lead for the first time. It was Wagner’s first goal of the MLS season.

The Union held strong through four minutes of stoppage time to leave BMO Field with all three points in a dramatic comeback win. In fact, it marked the first time in club history that Philadelphia came from behind after the 85th minute to win.

The victory extended the club’s unbeaten streak to 10 matches in all competitions (eight in MLS). At the time of writing, Philadelphia leads the league in wins (10), points (33), goals scored (32), set-piece goals, and assists (38). They have also set a new franchise record for best start to a season, surpassing the 31 points set in 2020.

Philadelphia ends the evening three points ahead of FC Cincinnati at the top of the Eastern Conference, after Cincinnati’s 3–3 draw with FC Dallas. They currently sit atop the Supporters’ Shield standings after Vancouver and Minnesota drew in their match.

The Union will look to wrap up their grueling nine-match month of May on Saturday when they head to Frisco, Texas, to take on FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium. Kickoff is set for 8:30 p.m. EST, and the match will be available on Apple TV via MLS Season Pass.

Main Article Photo Courtesy of the Philadelphia Union