CHESTER, Pa. – Toronto FC are coming home with a winning streak.
Fueled by a goal from Sebastian Giovinco and a shutout from reserve goalkeeper Chris Konopka, Toronto (3-4-0) defeated the Philadelphia Union 1-0 at PPL Park on Saturday, closing their season-opening seven-game road trip with two straight shutout wins.
HIGHLIGHTS: Sebastian Giovinco's Goal
The reeling Union (1-6-3) have now lost three straight and remain stuck on one win this season, continuing their worst start in franchise history.
Giovinco had the only score of the game in the 34th minute with a beautiful strike on a free kick from about 35 yards out, bending his shot into the corner of the net past the outstretched arms of Union goalkeeper John McCarthy. It was Giovinco’s fourth goal in the team’s last four games and second directly from a free kick.
INTERVIEWS: Greg Vanney | Michael Bradley | Chris Konopka | Jozy Altidore
Giovinco nearly had another one but Philly center back Richie Marquez – who was called upon to make his MLS debut when Michael Lahoud left with an early quad injury and captain Maurice Edu was pushed into the midfield – made a goal-line save on the Italian in the 11th minute.
The Union goalkeeper's best save came in the 23rd minute when the rookie denied a wide-open Robbie Findley from point-blank range.
The Union’s best scoring chance may have come in first-half stoppage time when Cristian Maidana blasted one off the crossbar after a Sheanon Williams header sprung him free.
Konopka replaced the injured Joe Bendik, who was out with a plantar fascia strain, to make his first MLS appearance since May 26, 2012 – which, coincidentally, was in Toronto while he was a member of the Union. Before Saturday, that game was also the last time Toronto defeated the Union.
The former Philly ’keeper finished with just one save for Toronto but cleared away serious danger in the 53rd minute by pushing the ball over the crossbar after a Maidana set piece delivery.
The Union kept the pressure on the shorthanded Toronto backline and Konopka, and the home team looked like it had found it equalizer in the 79th minute. But Aristeguieta was ruled offside after he headed in a Maidana free kick.
The Union return to action Saturday in Vancouver. Toronto goes back to Canada to face Houston in their home opener next Sunday.
