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English (Apple TV): Eric Krakauer (Play-by-Play) and Jalil Anibaba (Analyst)
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Toronto FC (7-13-3, 24 pts) continues a busy summer stretch and host 2020 Supporters’ Shield winners Philadelphia Union (4-9-9, 21 pts) in Major League Soccer action at BMO Field on Saturday evening. The Matchday 26 encounter kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET and can be viewed globally on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app.
Currently in ninth place in the Eastern Conference, TFC enter weekend action eager to get back to winning ways after dropping a pair of road results against Columbus Crew and Forge FC in league and domestic cup action over the last week. Historically, TFC hold a 13W-11L-8T record through their first 32 regular season meetings with the Union and the Reds are unbeaten in the last three meetings (2W-1T) between the two sides at BMO Field dating back to October 2021.
NO PLACE LIKE HOME
Toronto FC welcome Philadelphia Union for the second and final MLS regular season meeting between the two clubs on Saturday evening. With five home wins in 2024, TFC hold a 120W-88L-77T all-time record (437 points) in MLS regular season matches played on home soil to date.
AN ODE TO THE PAST
Toronto FC host 2020 Supporters’ Shield winners Philadelphia Union for the 33rd encounter in the all-time series between the two clubs. Historically, TFC hold a 13W-11L-8T record through their first 32 regular season meetings with the Union. The two Eastern Conference clubs have previously faced off at BMO Field on 16 occasions, with the Reds leading the all-time series in Toronto with nine wins to Philadelphia’s three (four ties). The Reds are currently unbeaten in the last three meetings between the two sides at BMO Field, with two wins and a tie, dating back to October 2021 and will be looking for a repeat of their most recent home victory against the Union, when goals from Lorenzo Insigne, Deandre Kerr and Jonathan Osorio spurred the hosts to a 3-1 win on August 20, 2023. Most recently, the two sides played out a goalless draw in their first regular season meeting of 2024 at Subaru Park on May 29. On the night, TFC kept their sixth MLS clean sheet of the campaign and goalkeeper Sean Johnson became the fourth MLS goalkeeper to record 100 regular season clean sheets, joining Nick Rimando (154), Kevin Hartman (112) and Stefan Frei (108).
THE CLIMB CONTINUES
Toronto FC enter Matchday 26 action eager to return to winning ways after a recent losing skid which has included losses to Columbus Crew (MLS) and Forge FC (Canadian Premier League) in the last week. Last Saturday, the Reds dropped a 4-0 road result against the defending MLS Cup champions Columbus Crew at Lower.com Field, courtesy of goals from Cucho Hernández, Christian Ramirez, Mohamed Farsi and Diego Rossi in Ohio. Four nights later, TFC recorded a 2-1 loss against Forge FC in the first leg of the 2024 Canadian Championship semi-final in Hamilton, Ontario. The CPL side raced into a two-goal lead within the opening 11 minutes of the Wednesday evening affair, courtesy of two moments of magic from Béni Badibanga and Kwasi Poku, before Prince Owusu bundled home from close-range in the closing stages to give the Reds an important away goal in the two-leg tie.
FIFTY NOT OUT
A pair of Reds made their 50th appearances for Toronto FC (across all competitions) in the month of July. Canadian Kobe Franklin and Italian Lorenzo Insigne became the eighth and ninth active TFC players to reach the milestone, following in the footsteps of teammates Jonathan Osorio, Richie Laryea, Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty, Deandre Kerr, Federico Bernardeschi, Shane O’Neill and Kosi Thompson in reaching the half-century milestone. After originally signing with his hometown club on February 24, 2023, Franklin made his club debut against Columbus Crew on March 11, 2023, and made his 50th club appearance against Columbus Crew last weekend. Lorenzo Insigne joined the club in July 2022 and made his memorable Reds debut against Charlotte FC on July 23, 2022, before making his 50th club appearance against Forge in the Canadian Championship on Wednesday.
COPA CALLING
TFC’s Jonathan Osorio and Richie Laryea will be unavailable for selection on Saturday as the Toronto-born pair remain away on international duty, representing Canada at the 2024 Copa América in the United States. After advancing from Group A in second place, Les Rouges recorded a historic penalty shootout victory against Venezuela in the quarter-final before falling short by a 2-0 scoreline against world champions Argentina in the semi-final. Next up, Osorio, Laryea and Canada will battle Uruguay in the Copa América third-place match on Saturday (8 p.m. ET) at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.
CELEBRATING CARIBBEAN HERITAGE
Toronto FC will host their annual Caribbean Heritage Match this Saturday evening at BMO Field. Toronto’s vibrant Caribbean community will be celebrated through various in-game and digital experiences for fans to follow along at the stadium and beyond. Highlights include immersive Caribbean-inspired in-stadium signage, special guests from the Caribbean community participating in the match ball delivery & hawk walkout and lively performances by steel pan drums, masqueraders and Dance Caribe during half-time at BMO Field. Digital platforms will showcase custom TFC Caribbean logos and Caribbean-themed content. Game-worn jerseys will be auctioned online through Real Sports Auctions to support the Toronto Caribbean Carnival Committee. Culinary offerings including the Wicked Carib jerk chicken sandwich will be available at Sections 108, 123, 208 and the Global Toronto Area Market, a pop-up marketplace at the North Turf Area celebrating GTA's soccer passion with food, games, and merchandise. Exclusive Caribbean food items will also be available for club members at the KLM Tunnel Club, West Club, and BMO Club. During the match, players will wear the Reds’ Community kit customized with 2023 Energy kit-inspired numbers, and a limited quantity of the 2023 Energy kit will be sold online at Real Sports Apparel and in-stadium kiosks.
