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Union's Sapong could return from head injury

Union coach Jim Curtin expressed optimism that forward C.J. Sapong would be available Saturday for the Major League Soccer match against Toronto FC at Talen Energy Stadium. Sapong, who scored the first goal last Saturday in a 4-0 win over the host New England Revolution, was injured late in the first half.

Union coach Jim Curtin expressed optimism that forward C.J. Sapong would be available Saturday for the Major League Soccer match against Toronto FC at Talen Energy Stadium. Sapong, who scored the first goal last Saturday in a 4-0 win over the host New England Revolution, was injured late in the first half.

He suffered a head injury going up for a ball against defender Jose Goncalves.

"At halftime we thought he would be able to continue, but then he started to get a little bit of discomfort with his neck so we made the proactive decision" not to play him, Curtin said Tuesday.

Curtin said Sapong went through concussion protocol on Tuesday. "I think he will be close and be available this weekend," the coach said. "He seems to be doing fine."

Sapong has seven goals and two assists and is among the better defensive forwards in MLS.

Saturday's game is a key one. Toronto (10-7-7, 37 points) is second in the Eastern Conference and the Union (9-8-7, 34 points) are in fourth.

Edu progressing

Midfielder and designated player Maurice Edu has yet to play this season because of a stress fracture in his left leg, but he continues to make progress.

Curtin said Edu is training fully with the team. "Maybe it is soon we have him in a Bethlehem Steel game to get him some minutes there and see how the leg responds to that," Curtin said.

The Steel are the Union's United Soccer League affiliate.

mnarducci@phillynews.com

@sjnard