Photo courtesy of Philadelphia Union
In a humid mid-week matchup, a short handed Philadelphia Union defeated the Chicago Fire at Soldier Field to stay atop the MLS standings. An early penalty kick was converted by Bruno Damiani. Jakob Glesnes, who was just named to his third All-Star selection, made a trio of key defensive plays to keep Chicago off the board.
First Half
After a few back and forth instances in the opening stages, the Union were able to win an early penalty to open the scoring.
Alejandro Bedoya – who was deputizing at Right Back – started a counter attack with a perfect tackle on Jonathan Bamba in the 8th minute. The Union quickly marched up the field and worked the ball into the box. Ben Bender’s cross fell to Chris Donovan who lined up a first-time cross that clearly hit Jonathan Gutman’s arm – winning a penalty for Philly. Amid a chorus of boos from the home crowd, Bruno Damiani buried the kick to the bottom left of the net, giving the Union the lead.
Seemingly invigorated by conceding, the Fire immediately tried to get themselves back into the game. They thought they deserved a penalty of their own – after Olwethu Makhanya potentially handled the ball – but Head Referee Greg Dopka was unmoved by the players’ pleading.
Philip Zinckernagel nearly got his 15th goal contribution of the year in the 15th minute. He entered the Union’s box and picked out Hugo Cuypers with a pinpoint cross from the endline. However, the Belgian’s volley whistled wide of Andrew Rick’s net.
The game settled into a noticeable pattern. Philadelphia’s press appeared to be working just as intended. The Union forced Chicago into turnovers by winning battles in the midfield. Occasionally, the Fire would break through, but were largely unable to trouble the Union’s defense. What’s more, the Union were often able to counter after any prolonged Fire attacks. Chicago had to almost completely rely on the wide areas – the middle of the pitch was entirely locked down by the Union’s defense.
On a rare breakaway in the 31st minute, Brian Guitiérez drove forward from the midfield line, resisting a couple of Union tackle attempts. His through pass found Cuypers, and while the DP Striker’s shot beat Rick, it was the wrong side of the near post.
In the 39th minute Chicago came agonizingly close to an equalizer. Lukić was dispossessed, and after winning a scramble for possession, Bamba laid off a pass for Zinckernagel. The Dane’s dipping shot clanged off the crossbar, denying the first time All-Star a highlight-reel worthy goal.
In added time of the first half, Lukiċ nearly scored a lovely solo goal following a nimble run, but the Serbian’s strike was high and wide of the Fire net. The half-time whistle would sound shortly thereafter.
Second Half
Chicago opened the second frame of action with aggressive intent, and kept the pressure on Philly in search of a goal. Although they came close a number of times, the Union were content to sit back and absorb pressure, before killing clock in possession once they won it.
In the 50th minute, a line splitting pass from Gutiérrez should have put Bamba in behind. Bedoya was somehow able to keep even with the pacey forward, before laying a thumping slide tackle that left him and Bamba on the ground. The Fire weren’t finished yet though, as Bamba flipped a pass to an onrushing Gutiérrez, who was promptly hammered to the turf by Glesnes. While the Union dealt with the ensuing free kick easily enough, Glesnes was booked for the foul, and will miss this Sunday’s big away day at Columbus through suspension.
The Fire looked certain to score in the 52nd minute through Jonathan Bamba. Gutiérrez drew in and then froze the Union defenders with a slick turn, before feeding the Ivorian international. Bamba had an open shot, but skied it into the stands, sparing the Union.
In the 60th minute, an uncharacteristic mistake caused a dangerous moment for Philly. Wagner attempted to go back to Rick, but was under pressure, and his pass favored Cuypers. Rick had to come charging out of the box and blast the errant ball away.
2025 All-Star Jakob Glesnes made a big block in the 69th minute that probably saved a goal. A long ball was chested down by Cuypers in the Union’s box, and Gutiérrez fired a powerful shot, only for the Norwegian to put his body on the line to prevent it.
The Union’s defense was called on again in the 77th minute. Zinckernagel received a pass outside the 18 and quickly fired a shot, only to be blocked by Glesnes. The deflected ball fell to Haile-Selassie, but the second-half sub was quickly smothered by Bedoya and his Norwegian counterpart.
Lukić again tried his luck from long range in the 83rd minute, forcing Gal to leave his feet, but once more his shot was too high.
Glesnes made another incredible defensive play in the 3rd minute of stoppage time. A free kick delivery snuck past Rick, but the Norwegian was well positioned and cleared the ball off the line.
The final whistle would blow just two minutes later, securing the win for the Union and keeping Philadelphia atop the Eastern Conference and the Supporter’s Shield standings.
3 Points
- Old Man Ale: How many people had “Alejandro Bedoya playing Right Back” on their 2025 Bingo Cards? While Bedoya has shifted into that position during games – most notably during the 2019 season – prior to tonight he had never logged a start there. Regardless, the captain volunteered to fill in and his performance was a big reason why the Union can walk out with a win.
- Beasts of the East: Not only did Philadelphia’s win keep them in first place, it opened a 4 point gap between them and Cincinnatti. The Union have now earned back-to-back wins despite significant absences. The sky appears to be the limit, just over halfway through the MLS season.
- Chris Donovan’s Special Skill: Say what you want about the former Drexel Dragon’s finishing this year, there is one thing he has done really well – winning fouls. Donovan’s cross won the penalty, which was the deciding goal on the night. Also this year he has: drawn a 2nd yellow against Dallas, and won another penalty against Nashville. Foul merchant or good positioning? You be the judge.
Lineups
Philadelphia Union (4-2-2-2):
Andrew Rick, Kai Wagner, Olwethu Makhanya, Jakob Glesnes, Alejandro Bedoya, Jeremy Rafanello, Ben Bender (Jesus Bueno 65’), Jovan Lukić, Indiana Vassilev, Chris Donovan (Markus Anderson 70’), Bruno Damiani (Eddy Davis III 88’)
Unused Subs: Isaiah LeFlore, CJ Olney Jr, David Vazquez, Neil Pierre, Nick Pariano, Oliver Semmle
Chicago Fire (4-3-3):
Jeffrey Gal, Andrew Gutman, Jack Elliot, Omar González, Leonardo Barroso (Jonathan Dean 80’), Sergio Oregel (Kellyn Acosta 90’), Mauricio Pineda, Brian Gutiérrez, Jonathan Bamba (Maren Haile-Selassie 70’), Hugo Cypers (Tom Barlow 73’), Philip Zinckernagel
Unused Subs: Omari Glasgow, Sam Rogers, Bryan Dowd, Sam Williams, Dje D’Avilla
Scoring Summary:
PHI: Bruno Damiani (PK) – 10’
Disciplinary Summary:
PHI: Jovan Lukić (Yellow – Unsporting Behavior) – 35’
PHI: Jakob Glesnes (Yellow – Unsporting Behavior) – 50’
PHI: Jesus Bueno (Yellow- Delaying Restart) – 72’
CHI: Omar González (Yellow – Unsporting Behavior) – 81’
PHI: Olwethu Makhanya (Yellow- Delaying Restart) – 90’
PHI: Alejandro Bedoya (Yellow- Unsporting Behavior) – 90 + 2’
Was at the game. Gutsy performance by the U. Bedoya impressed at RB. Everyone worked their socks off.
That was not easy to watch. Gutsy win as this team fights along with next man up. Glesnes getting Sunday night soccer off for yellow card accumulation.
Defensive lineup should look interesting against Columbus without Glesnes. Also get a load of Surridge leap frogging to the Golden boot lead.
where was Cavan?
I think with U19 nats
school night
LOL
I remember years ago, Jim Curtin was talking up Ale as a potential right back as he entered his career twilight years. Pretty prophetic.
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I loved Jim Curtin but I don’t know what Brad has put in the water. The mentality on this team is something else this season.
fresh ideas (e.g, formation), new talent (too many to name), maturing talent (e.g, Rick). this hasn’t been an easy year. Blake injury, the squad is probably in its 15th different lineup, that May gauntlet. we’ve made our own luck.
There are only 10 starters listed for the Union? Didn’t Rafanello start or at least play? I thought he was good too. (Much better than Vassilev who dibbles aimlessly to prove he’s good on the ball and then does something none-headed.)
Vassilev was quite good in the first half, especially the beginning. He contributed to a bunch of good offensive actions. In the second half he was quiet and uncharacteristically worn down.
Fixed.
No disrespect intended towards Rafa 😉
Amazing to get a W while missing this many players. We should have Blake and Danleu and Baribo back for Sunday, shouldn’t we? Cant believe Glesnes is suspended…
Not sure if Baribo is actually healthy yet but it would be nice. Not 100% sure they want Blake after the way Rick has been playing. Maybe it’s time to look to see what they can get for Blake so they don’t lose Rick the way they lost Freese and McCarthy.
hmmmm….as much as I don’t like to even THINK about a post-blake era….you might have a point.
Almost seems like the time for a goalkeeper transition, doesn’t it.
I see where you are coming from about Blake, but he’s still considerably better than Rick. And keepers have a long shelf life. Given the way the clubs does business, they know they will get more in return for Rick than they will for Blake, plus they can keep Blake for another 5-7 years while looking for his replacement.
And maybe Rick wants to try the European route. I don’t know if there’s a market, but there are so many more options for Rick than there are for Blake.
@pragmatist – Blake is 34 and oft-injured. While some goalkeepers can play into their 40s, Blake does not seem like he is one. Unless the nagging injuries stop occurring. I doubt Blake has 5 years left as a starter, let alone 7.
This is not something to get too excited about. Be happy for the three points but don’t take this result as indicating anything positive. Chicago was the better team in every way except finishing. They are too early in their rebuild to yet have any in-the-box presence. They cut through the Union’s middle third press like it wasn’t there and got into the box too easily. The press just isn’t working as the other teams, including a Chicago team with an incomplete roster, is just slicing through that middle third.
This Union team is set up to crash out of the playoffs in the first round after lighting it up in the regular season. That game would have been a loss against a playoff team that actually can finish.
I also like how the Union is getting into the final third by using combinations they knew from the previous coaching setup. Coach Carnell hasn’t really set up any tactics to get into the final third other than causing turnovers in the middle third.
I don’t like to be negative about a team in first place, but this team is less than the sum of its parts. This is a dark horse contender roster with a lose in the first round coaching setup. It beats up on less athletic teams and struggles against more complete rosters like Columbus. That will be the hurdle to reach its potential and the coaching just isn’t there.
You can take the fact that they can win despite missing 9 players and that once Jesus Beuno came on, Oliver Semmle having had more MLS experience than the entire rest of the bench combined (and at the start of the game Bueno had about 3 times as many games as the rest of the bench combined).
And this was a Union team starting a bunch of bench players. Chicago was missing two starters. The Union six.
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I’m not a homer, i.e. thinking that current play is good enough to win a title. But it sure is nicer than where we thought the team would back in February.
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I’m not as down on the coach as you are. Are you sure the coaching isn’t there? Frankly, Carnell did better with a “B” team to select from than Berhalter did with his better team.
What an interesting team. Not a bit of it is my cup of tea but i also am amazed by the relentless bludgeoning and blunt force trauma they inflict… reminds me of Marvel’s The Punisher when Frank Cassel beats the guy to death with a stone in Kandahar.
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Its often ugly seldom paused and the soccer version of modern NBA play -hyper athletic 10 kilometer road race.
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Man is it currently effective.
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Donovan Bender & Rafanello were total derevishes.
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For the record I thought Bedoya played outstanding.
Most teams aren’t as entertaining when missing 9 players.
Bedoya may have to start at right back again if Westfield isn’t healthy.
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As much as I think the team is overachieving and I enjoy the winning, I’m concerned about the lack of depth at CB. Who replaces Glesnes on Sunday? Pierre? Or could we see Bedoya as a CB? 😉
Depending on the status of Westfield/Mbaizo I think sliding Wagner into that LCB spot could work. He’s played there in a back-3 before so it wouldn’t be unheard of.
It would be a tough game for Pierre’s debut, but it’s about time to see how he would do with the big club.
Maybe just rip off the band-aid and see how it goes!
Ale and Glesnes were excellent.
not much pretty, but some great movement at times. I loved that one run up the left side later in the match that had frustrating lack of finish.
To get the W, on the road, with so many starters not available is REALLY impressive. Hat tip to every one of them.
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Chicago’s front 3 (Bamba, Cuypers, Zinckernagel) had $10.7 million worth of (annual) guaranteed compensation. That more than doubled the comp of Philly’s entire starting line-up ($4.9 million.)