Game Thread: Toronto FC v Philadelphia Union

After a thrilling win in the Canadian Championship, it's back to business for the Reds as they hunt for those first points in this MLS season, after nine fruitless attempts. Having beaten the Vancouver Whitecaps (and igniting yet another round of Whitecap bellyaching...and for once I don't mean our friend Ben Massey at our sister blog 86 Forever, who wrote a pretty sobering piece), we're back to the primary objective.

This will be the last game for the Reds before a two week international break, so it's definitely a good time to make a mark on a struggling team that beat us 6-2 in the previous meeting at BMO about the same time last year. They are now of course without Faryd Mondragon, Sebastien Le Toux and Danny Califf, but still remain a dangerous force, are coming off a 1-1 draw with FC Dallas, snapping a three-game losing streak and will be hungry for more, and looking for a second helping at Lakeshore House. But the boost of some silverware for TFC could prove to be the neutralizing force...we shall see.

For your pre-game reading pleasure, you can check out the Philly view of things over at The Brotherly Game we have our supreme overlord editor Duncan thundering about more of TFC head office's shenanigans, along with Dave's preview of today's match, and a blurb for SBNation Soccer about the Reds' triumph, along with a primer on this years' CONCACAF Champions League. James has again provided his usual epic breakdown of the opposition in know your enemy, and for a healthy dose of outrage, you can read up on the MLS players' salary list (not recommended for those with heart conditions) and as always, you can pick your way to prizes in our infamous Are You Smarter? game.

We'll be here in the comments section with team news as soon as it hits twitter at 3:30ish and for other pre game chat and in game commentary, so join us then.

Come On You Reds!