Returning home from back-to-back road trips, the Union host an improved Toronto FC side this Saturday afternoon.
Philadelphia holds the all-time edge against the Reds, with a 3-2-2 record in seven total matches.
The record at PPL Park is unblemished against Toronto: 2 wins and 1 one draw dating back to 2010. On the road, the Union hold a 1-2-1 record at BMO Field.
1. April 15, 2010 Toronto 2, Philadelphia 1 (BMO Field)
Goals: De Rosario 35', 81' (PK), Harvey 45'
A 34th minute Danny Califf red card really spoiled any chance of the Union getting a result out of this game.
Dwayne De Rosario scored on the resulting freekick after a Chris Seitz gaffe, but credit the 10 man Union for finding an equalizer before halftime. Jordan Harvey's only goal for the Union came on the 45th minute, the product of a lovely assist from then 18-year-old Roger Torres.
You thought the Union might hang on for a road draw after the red card, but De Rosario scored his second of the game in the 81st minute, converting a penalty kick after Seitz brought down O'Brien White inside the box.
Watch the highlights: Toronto 2, Philadelphia 1
2. July 17, 2010 Philadelphia 2, Toronto 1 (PPL Park)
Goals: Orozco-Fiscal 61', Barrett 81', Le Toux 90' (PK)
Stoppage time drama, and Philadelphia's first win against Toronto.
Michael Orozco-Fiscal scored his first union goal on minute 61, slamming home a near-post header from a perfect Le Toux corner kick.
Chad Barett found an equalizer in the 81st minute, heading in his own goal directly off a long throw-in from Dan Gargan.
Le Toux's PK winner came in the final minute of the game, following not one, but two hand balls from Maxim Usanov inside the Toronto box. It was the French striker's seventh goal of the season.
3. May 28, 2011 Philadelphia 6, Toronto 2 (BMO Field)
Goals: G. Farfan 3, Mapp 11', 61', Nakazawa 45', M. Santos 51', 59', Mwanga 71', 89'
To this day, it remains Philadelphia's best offensive showing in franchise history.
The floodgates opened up against a hapless TFC, with Gabriel Farfan and Kyle Nakazawa scoring their first career goals in the first 45 minutes.
Maicon Santos pegged back a pair of goals for Toronto in the second half, but Danny Mwanga responded with a brace of his own in the final 20 minutes to put the game out of reach.
The Union improved to a 6-3-2 record, going several points clear at the top of the Eastern Conference table.
4. October 15, 2011: Philadelphia 1, Toronto 1 (PPL Park)
Goals: Le Toux 43', Johnson 57'
The team wasn't happy with the result, but this home draw clinched Philadelphia's first-ever playoff berth.
Le Toux's goal in the 43rd minute was one of his better strikes that season. Given time and space, he hit a low curler from 24 yards, beating Milos Kocic at his far post.
Johnson's equalizer was a difficult goal to concede. Nick Soolsma made a move to the endline and hit a low cross that the Jamaica international was able to slide past Faryd Mondragon at his near post.
Still, the result was enough, as the Union earned a franchise-first spot in the postseason.
5. May 26, 2012: Toronto 1, Philadelphia 0 (BMO Field)
Goals: Koevermans 88'
It may have been Philadelphia's poorest performance since joining Major League Soccer.
Toronto FC was winless in league play, coming into this game with a 0-9-0 record.
Johnson squandered a number of early chances, but Danny Koevermans found the game winner in the 88th after the Union failed to clear inside the box.
The loss dropped Philadelphia to a 2-7-2 record.
6. July 8, 2012: Philadelphia 3, Toronto 0 (PPL Park)
Goals: Gomez 34', Adu 36', Hoppenot 78'
John Hackworth's first game against Toronto was a completely different story than the earlier loss at BMO Field.
Gabriel Gomez and Freddy Adu scored just two minutes apart, then Antoine Hoppenot added to the lead in the 78th minute.
It was one of the best offensive performances for the Union in 2012, coming just several weeks after the teams 4-0 shutout of Sporting Kansas City.
7. September 15, 2012 Philadelphia 1 Toronto 1 (BMO Field)
Goals: Hassli 58', Williams 85'
Both teams were out of the playoffs at this point in the season.
Hassli's goal came in the 58th minute, when a Luis Silva cross made its way to the top of the box. The Frenchman's strike was good enough to find the far corner of Zac MacMath's goal.
But Sheanon Williams found the equalizer late, tapping in from close range after a Hoppenot cross.
Contact Union writer Kevin Kinkead at k.kinkead@hotmail.com
