dailyloe.com – The Philadelphia Union drew 0-0 with D.C. United at Subaru Park on Saturday, securing their first clean sheet of the Major League Soccer season. Union coach Bradley Carnell said his team is feeling confident entering a busy part of its schedule. The Union now face a tougher test against Toronto FC on Wednesday night. The match will be broadcast on Apple TV at 7:30 p.m.
Bradley Carnell reiterated the team’s rising optimism in a Monday news conference. He pointed to the positive atmosphere within the squad after the D.C. United result. “You look at the faces around here, everyone feels like it’s a step in the right direction,” Carnell said. “Everyone feels like it felt right, and it looked right.”
The Union’s record stands at one win, six losses, and one draw for four points. Keeping Toronto FC off the scoreboard will likely prove more challenging than the D.C. United match. Toronto has a record of three wins, two losses, and three draws for 12 points. Toronto lost its first two matches but is unbeaten in its last six.
Toronto’s run of form has been bolstered by Designated Player Josh Sargent. The club acquired the 26-year-old from Norwich City for $22 million in February. Sargent played for the U.S. men’s national team at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He has settled in quickly with his new MLS club.
A drama-filled exit from Norwich kept Sargent out of their lineup for much of January and all of February. He made his Toronto debut on March 14. Sargent has logged one goal and one assist since joining Toronto. Both contributions came in a 3-2 victory over the Colorado Rapids.
Sargent scored the winning goal in the 85th minute of that match against Colorado. Union coach Bradley Carnell acknowledged the striker’s specific threats. “Aerially, he’s a threat,” Carnell said of Sargent. Carnell also highlighted the danger from service into the box.
Toronto still needs Sargent to step up his production further. This is especially true after an injury to attacking midfielder Djordje Mihailovic. Mihailovic suffered a pelvic stress fracture that will keep him out until June. Forward Dániel Sallói has been Toronto’s best source of goals this season.
The Hungarian forward has scored three goals in eight matches for Toronto. He scored in the 52nd minute of Toronto’s last match, a 3-3 draw with Austin FC. Coach Carnell commented on Toronto’s varied performances this season. “They’ve had some good games, some tough games,” Carnell said.
Carnell outlined his team’s approach for the upcoming fixture. “We put teams in type of a game, and let’s see how that one goes,” he said. The Union are in the midst of playing three matches in eight days. This stretch includes the recent draw against D.C. United and the upcoming Toronto match.
