Slow Start Costs Toronto FC in Draw with the Philadelphia Union

Toronto FC's slow start once again cost them in a 1-1 draw with the Philadelphia Union at BMO Field today. After a poor first half, they were unable to get more than a point from today's match despite some late chances.

Justin Morrow scored the equaliser for Toronto FC after they conceded the lead midway through the first half. He now leads all MLS defenders in scoring. Alejandro Bedoya scored the goal for the Union, his first in Major League Soccer.

Philadelphia spent the opening stages of the match in control, creating several chances down the left side of the field. They forced a big early save out of Toronto FC keeper Clint Irwin, who was playing his first MLS minutes since suffered a quad injury back in June.

They continued that momentum into the midway point of the half, where they found their opening. After Toronto was able to work the ball up the field, to no consequence, the Union caught them on a counterattack. Fabian Herbers played in Bedoya, who snuck behind the Toronto backline. He then chipped Irwin to make it 1-0 for the visitors.

Toronto spent the rest of the half with the ball at their feet, but a strong Union backline frustrated their attempts to play it forward. The Union's defensive midfield of ex-TFC player Warren Creavalle and Brian Caroll shut down a lot of what Toronto FC was trying to do in transition. Toronto failed to register a single shot attempt in the first half.

TFC started off the second half on better footing, able to get the ball behind the Philadelphia backline on a few occasions. It was Jonathan Osorio who picked up the team's energy with some inspired play. Subbing in Marky Delgado also provided a visible spark in the midfield.

Osorio orchestrated Toronto's equaliser. In the 70th minute, he cut through defenders at the top of the Philadelphia box before sliding the ball through to Morrow. The Toronto fullback made no mistake from a wide angle. scoring his fourth of the season, which puts him third in scoring on TFC.

Toronto had a couple of chances late to claim the full three points, but was unable to capitalise. The best chance came in the 87th minute, when Jozy Altidore hit the post on a volley after some nice work from substitute Mo Babouli. TFC looked to have a penalty at the end of the match after Altidore was brought down in the Union box, but it was waived away.

With the draw, Toronto FC will have to wait for other league results to come in to know whether or not they clinched a playoff spot. They will also have to wait to see where they sit in the Eastern Conference coming out of the weekend.