Just when you think this Philadelphia Union team might be finding its footing and starting to drag its way out of the depths of despair, it was Toronto’s goalkeeper, Luka Gavran, who delivered a gut-punching blow to the Blue and Gold late in Toronto on Wednesday night.
After taking a 2-0 advantage thanks to goals by Milan Illoski and Danley Jean-Jacques, DOOP fans watched their lead vanish after conceding twice in 8 minutes in the early goings of the 2nd half. Nate Harriel thought he saved the day when he was able to put the Union back on top in the 89th minute of the game, but Toronto kept coming, and with the final kick of the game, the Reds were able to equalize in a way you only see once in a blue moon - an equalizer scored by none other than the goalkeeper himself.
The Philadelphia Union prepares for its battle with Toronto FC.
Image Provided / Philadelphia Union
GK: A.Blake
DEF: N. Harriel, J. Sery Larsen, O. Makhanya, F. Westfield
MID: J. Bueno, J. Lukic, D. Jean-Jacques, I. Vassilev
FWD: B. Damiani, M. Iloski
In the dying moments of the first half, it was Milan Iloski who opened the scoring and gave Union the lead heading into the half-time break. A goal kick by Toronto keeper Luka Gavran bounced around midfield before finally being controlled by the Blue and Gold and possessed by Jovan Lukic.
Lukic, with the ball over the midfield line, looked up and saw Milan Iloski with space in front of him and a defender on his hip, and played a nicely weighted ball to put him in on net. Iloski made no mistake with the opportunity, passing the ball to the far left corner of the net, beating Gavran to his right side, and giving his team the 1-0 lead heading into the break.
Philadelphia Union forward Milan Iloski (10) shoots the ball past Toronto FC defender Richie Laryea (22) to score a goal in the first half at BMO Field.
Dan Hamilton
Early in the 2nd half, it was Haitian international Danley Jean-Jacques and his work rate off the ball that gave Union a 2-0 lead up in Toronto. Japhet Sery Larsen played a ball over the top, which gave Toronto’s center back Zane Monlouis something to deal with. Monlouis let the ball bounce near the top of Toronto’s penalty box, and looked to clear with his first touch of the ball.
But Danley Jean-Jacques was quick to the scene, and as Monlouis turned to heave the ball out of safety, his clearance was closed down by the press of Danley Jean-Jacques, and deflected on net and over Luka Gavran’s gloves to give Union a 2-0 lead.
Danley Jean-Jacques scored off a wicked deflection vs Toronto FC.
Image Provided / Philadelphia Union
Just 4 minutes after Danley doubled Union’s lead, it was Josh Sargent who found the back of the net and got Toronto back in the game. Toronto put together a few tight passes that led to Sargent receiving the ball in the box with Olwethu Makhanya marking him.
Sargent squared up Makhanya, made a move to his left, which left the South African defender scrambling, and with a left-footed shot beat Andre Blake at the far post to bring Toronto within one.
Philadelphia Union defender Olwethu Makhanya (29) battles for the ball with Toronto FC forward Josh Sargent (9) in the first half at BMO Field.
Dan Hamilton
Just eight minutes later, Toronto would erase Union’s two-goal lead thanks to the right foot of Kobe Franklin. Following a number of missed chances to control the ball and clear out to safety for the U, Jose Cifuentes played a through ball that split two Union defenders and sent Kobe Franklin into the penalty area.
Franklin let the ball run across himself, took a peek towards the net, and with his first touch of the ball placed a right-footed shot off the far post, which deflected back off the near post, and into the net to draw the game level at 2-2.
Toronto FC defender Kobe Franklin (19) scores a goal past Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Andre Blake (18) in the second half at BMO Field.
Dan Hamilton
In the 89th minute, Nate Harriel looked to be the one to save the day and secure all 3 points for the Blue and Gold on the road.
Jesus Bueno sent in a corner originating from Luka Gavran’s left side, which was met at the near post by the head of Ale Bedoya. Bedoya’s header skipped the ball over the crowd in the middle of the penalty area and towards the back post, where both Danley Jean-Jacques and Nate Harriel were waiting to pounce.
Both rose up, through their heads at the ball, and it was eventually the head of Nate Harriel who would send the ball into the net, giving Union what they thought would be a late win up in Toronto.
Nathan Harriel scored a late goal for Philly that would have been the game-winner if not for the last kick of the game.
Image Provided / Philadelphia Union
Almost a full minute past the five minutes of extra time given by the referee, Toronto was given one more chance to send the ball into Union’s penalty area with hopes of pulling off a miracle and salvaging a point.
With the referee’s whistle ready to blow, Alonso Coello sent a right-footed cross into the box, which fell perfectly for the leaping and uncontested head of Toronto Goalkeeper Luka Gavran. Gavran’s header was picture perfect, beating Andre Blake, who was scrambling to get off his line, and stealing 3 points away from the Union in the process.
Toronto FC midfielder Jonathan Osorio (21) reacts after goalkeeper Luka Gavran (1) scores a goal against Philadelphia Union in the second half at BMO Field.
Dan Hamilton
