Union keep rolling, crush Toronto FC, 3-0

Share

CHESTER, Pa. -- With a crisp and clean 3-0 win over Eastern Conference basement dwellers Toronto FC on Sunday at PPL Park, the Union flashed domination in its purest form.

With goals from Lionard Pajoy, Freddy Adu and Antoine Hoppenot, along with a shutout from Zac MacMath, the Union turned early-season boos into standing ovations. They held control, pushed the attack and played assertive defense to complete one of their more satisfying wins of the year.

With back-to-back wins, the Union are now 5-9-2 in MLS play.

The Union face Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday at PPL Park in the US Open Cup semifinals.

After pestering the Toronto FC net early with no result, the Union focused and kept drilling away, hoping the oppositions back line would eventually break.

It took 34 minutes before that plan came to fruition.

Playing long ball passes to the offensive wing throughout the first half, striker McInerney possessed the ball alone on the right side. McInerney crossed a pass to Pajoy, situated in the center box. Catching the Toronto FC defense sunk deep into the crease area, Pajoy poked an uncovered shot to the right of Milos Kocic and in to give the Union the 1-0 lead.

Two minutes later, Adu, who had an active and dangerous game throughout, accepted a perfect lead pass from Gabe Farfan inside of the Toronto box. Adu took one step and fired off a low shot that slipped through the defenders and inside the right post, making it 2-0 Union.

Led by Adu and McInerney, the Union offense was creative, poised and extremely potent. They held 70-percent of the possession and had 11 attempts on net in the first half.

Using the same successful formula that saw the Union go 2-1-0 in their last three games, coach John Hackworth replaced McInerney for Hoppenot in the 65th minute. That move paid off yet again, as Hoppenot took a Michael Farfan pass on a break and beat Kocic from right to left for the 3-0 Union lead.

It was Hoppenots second goal in his four games.

E-mail Ryan Bright at ryanbright13@gmail.com.

Contact Us