What's going on with the U?

The Philadelphia Union continued their poor run of form and lost at PPL Park for the second time in a row.  Jim Curtin’s men met defeat at the hands of Toronto playmaker Sebastian Giovinco, who in the 34^th minute scored a sensational dipping free kick from 35 yards out. Union goalkeeper John McCarthy was too slow to react to prevent the goal.  Giovinco, 28, arrived from Juventus in January and is already proving why he deserves to be the highest paid player in Major League Soccer history.  The Italian has been a revelation in Greg Vanney’s side, having notched four goals in his last four games. 

Following the goal, chances were at a premium but the Union came closest to equalizing in first half stoppage time when midfielder Christian Maidana’s well-taken volley hit the crossbar.  Toronto keeper and former Union man Chris Konopka was beaten but was rescued by the frame of goal.

Despite the loss, the Union did a great job of nullifying Toronto’s three-headed dragon in midfield, composed of Giovinco, Benoit Cheyrou, and American international Michael Bradley.  However, Toronto never lost composure and was more than happy to sit back and relinquish possession.

Toronto came close to adding a second goal in the 51^st minute, when Giovinco, seeing McCarthy too far off his goal line, attempted an audacious chip from midfield that barely sailed over goal.  The shot was taken at full sprint from just beyond the center circle and would’ve been a real collector’s item had it gone in.  

Toronto steadily tested the Union’s defense, but center back Ethan White did a brilliant job of breaking up play, along with rookie Richie Marquez, who made his senior debut for the Union, replacing the injured Michael Lahoud in the 5^th minute.  White especially nullified Toronto forward Jozy Altidore, who had a quiet game.

Late in the match, the Union nearly broke through Toronto’s defense and scored the tying goal. In the 79^th minute of play, Venezuelan forward Fernando Aristeguieta scored a beautiful header that was disallowed for being offside.  Aristeguieta was inches offside and the call could’ve gone either way. 

Toronto was unyielding defensively in the final minutes, with veteran Damien Perquis particularly impressive.  It was another tough game for the Union.  Philadelphia has won just one of their ten games this season, and sit ninth in the Eastern Conference.  With the win, Toronto climbed to sixth in the table, drawing level on points with fifth place Chicago Fire.