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Win over Toronto would see Union advance to postseason

Oct 15, 2011 - 1:27 AM Chester, PA (Sports Network) - The Philadelphia Union host Toronto FC at PPL Park on Saturday with an opportunity to solidify their spot in the 2011 MLS Cup Playoffs.

A win for the Union would see them qualify for the postseason, though they could also clinch with a tie or loss depending on other results.

Philadelphia earned an impressive 2-0 win at Seattle Sounders FC in its last outing, moving the club into first place in the Eastern Conference with 47 points on the season.

"Right now, we're just thinking about first place," Union defender Sheanon Williams said. "The guys really want to be in first place. If we're in first place, then guess what? We're in the playoffs. So that should be our first goal."

The Union are unbeaten in their last seven regular season games, posting a 3-0-4 record over that period. Zac MacMath and Sebastien Le Toux have been vital to Philadelphia's recent success.

The seven-game unbeaten run began when MacMath took over in goal for the injured Faryd Mondragon. The 2-0 victory over Seattle marked MacMath's third shutout between the pipes for the Union.

Le Toux, meanwhile, has underlined his resurgence with nine goals and two assists over the past 11 MLS games. Dating back to Aug. 6, he has been involved in the build-up to 11 of the team's last 17 goals.

Toronto, meanwhile, has not featured in MLS play since Oct. 1 when it played to a 1-1 draw with Red Bull New York at BMO Field.

Despite falling out of playoff contention, head coach Aron Winter is still focused producing results this season.

"I don't want to think about next season because I've got three other games, including the CONCACAF [Champions League] game, which is also important," Winter said. "We want to be focused first on those three games and after the last game, then we can think about next season."

Ryan Johnson asserted that Toronto has dropped points where it should have claimed them, and that it has kept the team out of the playoff chase.

"I can think of nine points off the top of my head that would put us right in the hunt, [that] would actually put us in the playoffs right now," Johnson said. "But we have a chance next year with a lot of the guys - and I'm sure we'll see some new faces again, guys who will contribute a lot, too - to really try and make a run at it."

Toronto has overhauled its roster throughout the campaign, but since arriving in July, Danny Koevermans has been a regular contributor. The Dutch striker has scored seven goals in his nine MLS matches.

Philadelphia trounced Toronto 6-2 in a May 28th contest at BMO Field, but a new-look Toronto side will be hopeful for a much different result.