Photo: Marjorie Elzey
Who: Philadelphia Union vs. Chicago Fire FC
What: MLS Regular Season
Where: Solider Field, Chicago, IL
When: Wednesday, July 3, 8:30 PM EDT
Watch: Apple TV – MLS Season Pass
Whistle: TBD
The Philadelphia Union are back on the road as they take on Chicago Fire FC at Solider Field. The Union will look to take a turn in form, especially after a 4-2 defeat in Montreal last time out.
Scouting Report: Chicago Fire FC
Last 5 matches (most recent first) L – L – W – W – D
It’s been another rough start to the season for Chicago as they currently sit in last place of the Eastern Conference. Of their 20 matches so far, Chicago has only came away with a win just 4 teams this year. To make matters worse for Chicago, star attacker Xherdan Shaqiri is away with Switzerland at the EUROs. Belgium attacker Hugo Cuypers will lead the line with his 7 goals, and Maren Haile-Selassie who has 4 goals on the year. Brian Gutierrez and former Union man Fabian Herbers will man the midfield. Carlos Teran will lead the defense in the center and Chris Brady will be in net.
International Duty: Xherdan Shaqiri.
Scouting Report: Philadelphia Union
Last 5 matches (most recent first) L – L – L – L- D
It’s been a month to forget for the Philadelphia Union, who have now strung 4 defeats together. Riddled with injuries and starters missing due to international tournaments have finally caught up to the side. Andre Blake and Jose Martinez remain out due to Copa America, while Daniel Gazdag returns from EURO action. Mikael Uhre is out with an injury while Markus Anderson and Alejandro Bedoya also remain out.
Tai Baribo and Quinn Sullivan will likely lead the strikers, while Chris Donovan is also an option. In midifield Leon Flach will be at the base of the diamond, with Jesus Bueno and Jack McGlynn on the sides and Gazdag leading the attack. Jacob Glesnes and Jack Elliott will be the center-backs with Kai Wagner and Nate Harriel on the sides.
It remains to be seen if Andrew Rick or Oliver Semmle will be in the net, but Rick has started the last 2 games for the side.
International Duty: Andre Blake,Jose Martinez
Injury Report: Out: Mikael Uhre, Markus Anderson, Alejandro Bedoya
Matchup to Watch: Team Depth
Games are coming fast and quick and the Union have already been depleted with injuries. Conversely for Chicago, this is an opportunity with a mostly full side to take points against a team in poor form.
Player to Watch: Jack McGlynn
In Montreal McGlynn was exploited for his lack of pace and lack of possession for Philadelphia. If the Union want to be competitive they’ll need McGlynn to cover ground and set up chances from the midifield.
Prediction: Philadelphia Union 1-1 Chicago Fire
A game without superstars in the heat of summer will wear down just about everyone. A pretty sloppy game finds a goal from both sides and the points shared.
Lines:
Philadelphia: +235
Chicago: +105
Draw: +260
would rather watch paint dry.
happy 4th to all!
They should never, never be this thin if they did any planning ant at all that involved spending. This was all self created and we continue to pay for it. Man I just gotta turn off and stop caring. Sugarman doesn’t.
The precious two or three years they avoided injuries much more effectively.
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I have no idea what has changed.
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4 or five out injured forces playing time not the deeper reserves who are homegrowns being developed by practicing with the first team while playing for the second.
Conditioning. They used to condition for high press. But since we aren’t doing that anymore I suspect conditioning in preseason was less stringent.
Spending more wouldn’t fix the predicament they are currently in. They literally spend DOUBLE the MLS salary budget. They were maxed out on Senior DP’s until Sunday when Carranza’s sale was announced.
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They are nearly maxed out on TAM level players too.
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Please explain how spending more would solve the predicament the Union currently find themselves in? I fail to see how spending more addresses the current roster.
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Now, do they need to spend more efficiently across the entire roster? Absolutely. Do they need to get back to moving players along when they are just past their peak? Absolutely.
Here are the ref and his assistants.
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REF: Abdou Ndiaye
AR1: Chris Elliott
AR2: Jason White
4TH: Lukasz Szpala
VAR: Younes Marrakchi
AVAR: Jeremy Kieso
No interest whatsoever in this game. Came to say how exciting venezuelas run has been with el Brujo an essential piece (no longer a consistent starter for the Union lmao)
Baribo might be out with back spasms. Chicago have a better record over the last 5 games then we do and have arguably looked better without Shaqiri. Hard to imagine where a goal will come from for us, whereas with our shambles of a defence and an in form Cuypers I feel like this is 0-1 at best. If we do score it’s likely not from open play or from an attacking player.
A 1-1 draw? I know it’s good to stay positive, but my goodness, have you seen this team play lately?
With this “lineup”?
Prediction: The team with the fewest points in MLS puts a 3-0 (maybe 4-0) drubbing on the worst team in MLS.
I’ve been a season ticket holder since the very beginning. I don’t see myself coming back next season. This is the low point in 15 years. Even Piotr Nowak’s last season was better than this.
Glad I am not alone, thx
Elliott, Lowe, and Wagner are all on four yellow cards.
The darkest hour is just before dawn. Tonight is when the unexpected turnaround begins. Union 2-1, Donovan and Sullivan find the back of the net
Going out to dinner and then to bed rather than bothering to watch.
(Maniacally) Hahahahahaha