It's the first midweek fixture of Toronto FC's 2026 MLS campaign, as the Philadelphia Union are in town for the sixth match of the Reds' nine-game homestand.

The last two matches have ended in somewhat disappointing draws for Toronto, who will want to improve at closing out wins.

Meanwhile, Philadelphia are having a nightmare 1-1-6 start to their Supporters' Shield defence, with their only victory coming against CF Montréal last weekend.

These two teams have been surprisingly competitive in their fixtures over the past few years, considering the usually sizeable gap in the standings between them. Over the past three years, Toronto has had two wins, two draws and two losses against the Union.

How Toronto FC enter the match

It was certainly not a boring game against Austin on the weekend, as a late Kobe Franklin equalizer knotted up a rollercoaster 3-3 draw at BMO Field.

While the attack is starting to hum, the injuries and inexperience on defence showed at times for Toronto, which will need to be patched up against a physical Philadelphia squad.

Technically, the Reds are now six games unbeaten, with three wins and three draws in their last six. But, it feels like it could be even more, as they've let a lead slip in each of the three draws, which were all at home.

And while the underlying stats have certainly improved year over year in Robin Fraser's second season at the helm, the Reds have settled in as a middle-of-the-pack team in a weak Eastern Conference.

Their play suggests that it should probably be sustainable, especially if they can get healthier across the back line and find Josh Sargent some goals up front.

How Philadelphia Union enter the match

It has not been the season imagined in Philly through eight games, as the upheaval of key squad members, injuries, and underperformance has seen them have a dismal start to the 2026 campaign.

The past two weeks have been a bit better, though beating Montréal at the very end of the Marco Donadel era and then drawing 0-0 with D.C. United at home are not exactly banner results.

A big problem has been putting the ball in the goal. The Union sit tied for second-last in the league with just six goals in eight games, and while that's a fair bit below their 10.9 expected goals, the xG mark is only 19th in MLS itself.

Losing strikers like the dependable finishing of Tai Baribo and super sub Mikael Uhre hasn't helped, and neither has been the departure of Kai Wagner, who was their key chance creator and an elite creative force from left-back. Quinn Sullivan's long-term ACL injury near the end of last season has hurt their chance creation even more.

All of that, plus the underperformance of strikers such as Bruno Damiani, Ezekiel Alladoh and Milan Iloski, has turned a Philadelphia team that was top of the league in 2025 into one that's been frankly poor to start 2026.

Availability

Theo Corbeanu (knee), Djordje Mihailović (pelvis), Walker Zimmerman (calf) and Henry Wingo (hamstring) are all likely still out for Toronto as they recover from their respective injuries. Nicksoen Gomis and Benjamín Kuscevic were each seen training individually on Tuesday, so it would be unlikely for them to feature on Wednesday, while Matheus Pereira missed Saturday's match and should also be listed as doubtful.

For Philly, Quinn Sullivan remains out with his ACL recovery, while Augustín Anello (hamstring) and Sal Olivas (ankle) will likely miss this one as well.

Projected XIs

TrueNorthFoot projects Toronto to field a similar starting group from the weekend, while Philadelphia makes a change in midfield with Danley Jean Jacques entering for Jesús Bueno.

Toronto FC (4-3-3): Luka Gavran; Kobe Franklin, Richie Laryea, Zane Monlouis, Raheem Edwards; José Cifuentes, Alonso Coello, Jonathan Osorio; Derrick Etienne Jr., Josh Sargent, Dániel Sallói

Philadelphia Union (4-4-2): Andre Blake; Nathan Harriel, Japhet Sery Larsen, Olwethu Makhanya, Frankie Westfield; Milan Iloski, Danley Jean Jacques, Jovan Lukic, Indiana Vassilev; Ezekiel Alladoh, Bruno Damiani

Game information and how to watch

📆 Wednesday, April 22, 2026
⏰ 7:30 pm ET / 4:30 pm PT
📺 Apple TV 
🧑‍⚖️ Fotis Bozakos
🏟 BMO Field, Toronto, Canada